Ridge Softball Falls to Undefeated Somerville, 17-1

Ridge jumped out to an early 1-0 lead after one inning was played against an experienced Someville team. The unbeaten Pioneers took over from there.

Somerville (3-0 this season), utilized a 14-hit attack paced by Nicole Reina and Kim Sacchi, who each collected three hits and scored two runs in cruising to an easy 17-1 victory over the Red Devils Monday afternoon. "Give Somerville credit. They played hard and they played very well," said Ridge head coach Tara Cantagallo.

The hosts took the lead early in the bottom of the first. Senior shortstop Samantha Fama of the Red Devils reached first on a throwing error by Somerville third baseman Samantha Bonaduce. Fama stole second and scored on a single to center by sophomore center fielder Kelly Rosenthal (1-for-3).

The Pioneers scored three runs in the top of the second inning to seize a 3-1 lead. Sacchi singled, Reina walked and Kelsey Kirchner walked to load the bases. Sacchi scored on an infield hit by Nanci Tischler. Bonaduce smacked a single to center, knocking in Reina and Kirchner.

Somerville scored five times in the top of the third to increase the margin to 8-1. Stephanie Viola walked, Sacchi singled and Reina singled to load the bases. After Korri Thompson popped out to Fama and Melissa Sullivan grounded out to Fama who threw out Viola at home for the second out, Kirchner and Tischler each walked with the bases loaded to give the Pioneers a 5-1 lead. Bonaduce helped break the game open by cracking a booming double to center to score Sacchi, Kirchner and Tischler.

The Pioneers added nine more runs in the sixth inning to put the game away. The big hit in the inning was a two-run double by Viola (2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 runs scored), who went the distance scattering three hits while striking out five and walking only one. Taylor Robb suffered the loss for Ridge. She walked 11 while fanning three.

Fama went 1-for-3 with two stolen bases and the third hit was collected by junior Lexi McKeon, who went 1-for-2 on the afternoon for Ridge, which remains winless at 0-4 on the early season. Defensively, Fama had four assists and three putouts at short. Senior first baseman Abby Scheider had six putouts. Other strong efforts in the field were recorded by junior third baseman Ally Darwick (two assists and a putout), senior catcher Emily McGowan, Rosenthal in center, junior Haley Velasco in right, senior Nina Arbadji (0-2, walk, stolen base) in left and McKeon at second base. "Every game for us has been a learning and growing process but the effort is there," said Cantagallo.  

SOMERVILLE (3-0)   0  3  5  0  0  9 -- 17 14 1
RIDGE (0-4)                 1  0  0  0  0  0 --  1  3  1    

2B -- S - Bonaduce, Viola.
WP - Somervile: Stephanie Viola.
LP - Ridge: Taylor Robb.