Mike Ponsiglione wanted to give freshman Jackie Cautela an opportunity to prove herself in a big game. The St. Joseph by the Sea coach was certainly pleased with what he saw.
Cautela scattered seven hits, struck out seven and worked out of jams despite an uncharacteristic four errors by the Vikings. Her grit and a few key defensive plays helped Sea hold on for a 3-2 win over host Moore Catholic in CHSAA Staten Island softball Saturday.
“I wanted her to pitch in a game like that,” Ponsiglione said. “She did a great job. She showed no emotion. She stayed cool. She is ready for the playoffs now.”
The Vikings (13-0) grabbed an 2-0 lead in the first inning. Centerfielder Jackie Bonamassa, who led off with a double, scored on a wild pitch and first baseman Laura Leone drove in Jackie Kelly with an RBI double.
Moore (9-3) got a run in the bottom of the frame. Courtney Strype, who singled, was thrown out trying to steal second by Sea catcher Sammi Lou Anastasio, allowing Krissa Sagona to score to cut the advantage to 2-1. The caught stealing was a big play as the next hitter, Danielle Doscher, tripled. Sea was able to get out of the inning.
“There was wind like you could not believe,” Ponsiglione said. “The triple that Doscher hit made a left turn. Bonamassa was there. She hit the ball hard and the wind still moved it. It was incredible.”
The wind aided his squad in the top of the third. Anastasio blooped an RBI single that Moore shortstop Taylor Baggs lost in the gusts. It extended the lead to 3-1. The Mavericks added a run when pitcher Emily Horihan, who allowed eight hits, drove in Doscher, but was cut down on the bases.
Bonamassa threw Baggs out trying to go to third on the hit. Kelly then ran Horihan back to first and threw to Laura Leone for the tag out. The Mavericks threatened again in the bottom of the seventh.
Maria Genovese connected for a one-out double and an error, putting runners on first and second. Leone would then reach out and snare a Sigona pop out over the fence in foul ground and Cautela got Alexa Aliberti to fly out to end the game.
If Sea wins its final two regular-season games against St. Joseph Hill and St. John Villa, it will finish undefeated in league play for the first time in 10 years.
“We didn’t play that well, but Moore has something to do with it,” Ponsiglione said. “Moore gets better and better every game we’ve seen them this year. We are not looking past them by any means, but we got it done when we had to get it done.”