The North Tonawanda Lady Jacks just don’t have an answer for Lexy Santa Maria. The Kenmore West freshman was dominant Monday night under the lights at Edward Belbas Field, striking out 13 as the Blue Devils picked up an important 3-1 Niagara Frontier League victory.
“Lexy threw a terrific game. For a ninth grader to get 13 strikeouts ... man, that’s awesome,” West coach Matt Chimera said. “Tonight, she just had that extra pop.”
Santa Maria actually pitched even better the first time out against NT, but the Blue Devils couldn’t muster any offense in a 1-0 loss.
That wasn’t the case Monday night, as Jenna Rickan and Danielle Frye had RBI doubles in the third and fourth innings, respectively. Kaley Vazquez added an RBI groundout in the fourth inning, scoring Frye, to account for all of West’s offense.
“Jenna’s had some really big hits this year, and this one was certainly that,” Chimera said, “and Danielle’s been consistent all year for us.”
Rickan’s double to left plated Heather Wheeler. Frye’s hit to deep right scored Carly Taylor, who reached on a misplayed fly ball to open the fourth.
“We just can’t make mistakes and we have to put the ball in play, and we didn’t do that,” NT coach T.K. Murphy said.
The Lady Jacks plated their only run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Julie Harmon opened the inning with a hard double to left field, then took third on a passed ball. A fly ball off the bat of Shaina Bunker then fell in between the shortstop and left fielder, allowing Harmon to come in.
Santa Maria, though, would shut down the Lady Jacks the rest of the way, striking out the side in the seventh inning.
“She’s a real upstart,” Murphy said of the Blue Devils freshman. “She’s going to be very good.”
- NOTES: Kenmore West beat NT, 8-1, in the junior varsity game. Meg Ryan pitched a three-hitter with 13 strikeouts for the victorious Blue Devils. ... NT lost left fielder April Walker to a strained calf muscle during the game. ... The game opened an important week for both teams. West travels to Niagara Falls on Wednesday in a game for first place in the NFL before hosting Lockport on Thursday and finishing the week against cross-town rival Kenmore East on Friday. NT travels to Niagara-Wheatfield on Wednesday before hosting Grand Island on Thursday.
Albert T. McCracken Jr./contributor
READY TO GO: The Kenmore West infield greets pitcher Lexy Santa Maria, second from right, prior to action during Monday’s Niagara Frontier League softball game against North Tonawanda at Edward Belbas Field. Santa Maria pitched a three-hitter in a 3-1 win.Albert T. McCracken jr/(Click for larger image)
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