Mahopac Opens with 8-2 Win over John Jay

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By Rich MonettiPublished about a year ago • Updated about a year ago • 2 min read

So far Mahopac Softball has had to endure two rainouts, and Ally Wanner hasn’t taken kindly for the bad weather. “I was really mad,” she said, but finally getting the chance on Monday, April 3, it was John Jay that felt Mahopac's wrath in the opener.

The centerfielder’s single got the Indians a 2-0 lead, and she didn't attempt to complicate an approach that also delivered a double and another single in the 8-2 road victory. “I swing when it’s good,” Wanner deadpanned.

The game began with Sam Pellegri stroking the first of her four hits and ensued with her teammates simply being selective. Emma Behun, Ava Lichtenberger and Camdyn Wilson all walked for the first run, and then Wanner sent the remnants running.

Emma Klares did settle in with a couple of strikeouts, but the John Jay starter proved to be overmatched by her counterpart. After Elaina Daly led off with a bunt single, Lichtenberger got down to business.

The junior got Maya Nelsen to bounce into a 4-6-3 double play, and the bases cleared, a line drive back up the box was no bother. “I’m normally a shortstop on my travel team, so I have experience with hits like that,” said the starter in retiring Carys Cooper.

Still, Mahopac had no problem accepting some help from above to double their lead. Jamie Peragallo reached when centerfielder Brenna Doherty lost the ball in the sun, and after Behun walked, Lichtenberger’s two run triple was picture perfect. “Before I even get up, I visualize being successful and getting a hit,” Lichtenberger clarified.

The three hitter didn’t tire on her traverse to third either. She struck out five of the next six batters, and the John Jay hitters who succumbed were far from the first. “Today, she had her 200th career strikeout,” said Coach Cristina Giansante.

In between, Mahopac put up another run in the third. Wilson lined a single that left her on third on a two base error, and Wanner’s single knocked her in.

Up 5-0, the usual suspects would close the Mahopac side of the scoresheet in the fourth. Emily Biagini singled, got second on an outfield error, and then all fields hitting Pellegri flashed her version of foresight. “I just look at a spot in the outfield, and I’m like I’m going to hit it there,” said the centerfielder.

The run coming around on the hit to center, Lichtenberger walked, and Wilson completed the damage with her single. Of course, there were still 12 outs to go, and John Jay didn’t make it easy for the Indians.

Daly and Nelsen walked, and Carys Cooper loaded the bases when Peragallo couldn’t hold onto Wilson’s flip to third. So Lichtenberger took a deep breath and readied her GPS. “I was like, I know I can hit my spots,” she said, and after delivering two strikeouts, the pitcher gobbled up Josie Scott’s comebacker to the mound.

The winning pitcher did herself one better in the fifth. She snared Amanda Kelly’s hot shot back to the circle and retired the side with a 1-6-3 double play. “It’s really great to have a shortstop as your pitcher,” beamed Giansante.

Nelsen did get to Lichtenberger with a run scoring triple in the sixth and Doherty’s sacrifice fly knocked in the second run. But the blip didn’t deter, and Lichtenberger retired the side in order for the win.

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