The Bay Ridge Prep Varsity Softball Tigers are once again the undefeated ISAL Champions after a 6-3 win over Dwight on May 11 at Maimonides Park in Coney Island! This was by far the closest and most difficult game the Tigers have played all season. The two teams had their first interaction over a month ago in Red Hook, with our Tigers bringing home a win with the score of 11-1. At the time, Dwight was missing 5 of their starting players, so they were looking for a chance to settle the score.
As soon as the BRP girls arrived onto the field, there were whispers that Dwight was out to end our 2 season undefeated streak. Lucky for us, the Dwight girls were facing a top league pitcher; BRP’s very own, Cara!
To get into the championship, Dwight School faced LREI in a long and grueling game in the hot sun ending with a score of 23-14. Right across the field, Bay Ridge Prep versed York Prep, ending with a score of 13-3, pushing us into the championship round. The Monday game was one of the many in which Dwight took the lead by a longshot. Almost as impressive as the undefeated season that the girls were pulling for a second year in a row. Dwight’s head coach had claimed this was the best softball season in the Lion's school history, their first time in a championship game or playoff. The Tigers had taken home the Championship trophy in 2016, 2017, and then again in 2022.
Coming into the season with a team of only 5 returning players, the hopes were not high. Welcoming 11 new members; most of who were new to the sport, myself include. The coaches stated “Things felt a little up in the air for this team before the season began, but our returners showed up and put in the work helping their 11 new teammates learn the game.” For a team stacked with rookies, we flourished shortly after our first scrimmage. The coaches added "We couldn't be more proud of this squad and their continued success and we look forward to continued growth next season.”
Working hard as a team, adjustments were made during the Championship game to ensure we brought home another win. Playing on turf in a larger field brought its own sets of challenges. Many fouls occurred throughout the game because of the significant amount of extra space that was on the field. Keeping the ball in front of you was absolutely crucial. Not bringing the glove all the way down could have cost the fielding team the game. Throughout the game, onlookers also witnessed many swings and misses from both teams. Coaches took precaution in the championship game when making a lineup for fear that Dwight would swing the ball far. We played with 4 outfielders today, something not often seen in high school softball. I happened to have been the fourth starting outfield player. Playing center shortstop, backing me up and going deeper than usual for those far flying balls in center field was Thea. On such a large field it was import to be prepared for a far flying ball , and with a middle outfield, the center had the freedom to go deeper than usual
By the bottom of the first inning, Cara scored a home run by swinging the ball deep into left field. Dwight’s relay was impeccable, but fortunately for us, they were just out of time as Cara slid home. The score had become 1-0. Once the third inning rolled around Dwight school had taken a lead of 2-1. Bay Ridge Prep's softball squad did not flinch as Cara, one of the four pitchers available to us, stepped onto the pitcher's mound. Across Cara, Sam, Cecily, and Raffaella who is just in 8th grade, BRP is known for our hard to swing at balls. We then took the lead back with a score of 2-3 at the bottom of the third inning. With her outstanding pitching, Cara caused the Dwight girls to make adjustments in their swings and resort to bunting. Also something not often seen in the ISAL league. Rather than swinging through, a batter will hit the ball lightly in the air calling for players to chase the ball rather than catch it.
As we inched closer to yet another ISAL championship and the score was 5-2 the Tigers had small “dance parties” between innings. After our senior, Sienna, made it home, we headed into the final inning with a score of 6-2 which extended into 6-3 where the game ended. The Tigers turned victorious over the lions! We celebrated our win on the same field the Brooklyn Cyclones call home. This was the fourth time in school history the softball squad has brought home the league title, the third time they have seen an undefeated season and the second year in a row they are undefeated champions.
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