Experienced Portsmouth softball team tops Barrington. Here's how.
"It was really important for us to get out early and take advantage of the opportunities we had,” said Portsmouth pitcher Mia Ruggieri.
PORTSMOUTH — Wednesday afternoon offered a lesson for a young Barrington softball team . Matching up with veterans means needing to be sharp from the outset. Portsmouth jumped on the Eagles in the bottom of the first inning and just about put this Division II contest away.
The Patriots used three errors and a three-run triple by Kylie Toner to build what turned out to be a decisive lead. Mia Ruggieri handled the rest in the circle as Portsmouth eased to a 6-2 home victory under sunny skies on April 8. “No one really sees them coming,” Ruggieri said.
“But they are a really good hitting team. It was really important for us to get out early and take advantage of the opportunities we had. ” The Eagles recorded two quick outs before finding serious trouble in the first.
Barbara Rainey’s infield single, two errors and a fielder’s choice that didn’t record an out loaded the bases for Toner. She slashed a drive to right that found the grass and rolled toward the fence, handing the Patriots a 4-0 cushion. “I went up there hoping to make contact,” Toner said.