Northside squeezes past Lane

Updated: May 5, 2011 9:57PM

The clash of the two best Public League softball teams felt like an action movie. In this case, a thriller that ended on a disputed bang-bang play.

Northside second baseman Alyssa Joseph executed a suicide squeeze that scored Katie Corcoran in the bottom of the sixth for the Mustangs’ 1-0 victory at Thillens Stadium Thursday night in a rain-shortened six-inning game.

“We spend a lot of time in practice on that play, and getting the bunt down between the pitcher and the third base side,” Joseph said. “I just wanted to make contact and get the ball down.”

Lane freshman pitcher Avelyss Roman fielded the ball and fired home, but the umpire ruled Corcoran slid under the tag of Lane catcher Emily Espinosa. “I thought she was out,” Roman said. 

“But that’s softball, an umpire’s call,” she said. 

“I had a feeling they were leaning in that direction (of the squeeze),” Roman continued. “On the previous pitch I tried throwing the ball high to try and get her to pop it up in the air for the catcher or third baseman, but it didn’t quite work that way.”

Less than a minute after the dramatic play, the rain started to fall. Northside (12-5, 10-2 Red-North) was declared the winner following a 30-minute delay.

Northside star pitcher Chamara Moore struck out six Lane hitters and allowed six hits to run her record to 10-5.  Lane defeated Northside 5-2 in the first conference game of the year. 

“Our games with Lane are always one of the biggest of the year,” Moore said. “I’m really proud of the team, and how we were able to get that victory. I tried some different things with their hitters, and fortunately it worked.”

Moore threw her out way out of a serious jam in the top of the fifth when Lane collected three base hits but failed to score, in part because of catcher MK Speth throwing out a Lane runner attempting to steal. Moments later, the Indians loaded the bases with two outs. 

Moore responded with a strike out to defuse the threat. “I just knew I had to go up there and throw strikes in the situation,” she said.

Lane (14-8, 8-1) played without star Kaleigh Ambrose, who missed the game because of a sore neck. Roman pitched her third consecutive game. “She’s our best player, but we probably missed her more at the plate than pitching,” Roman said.  

The freshman struck out five and gave up just four hits in falling to 4-2 on the season.

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