Olivia Almodovar takes a cut for the Panthers in an extra inning 2-0 victory in the class A semi-final game against Islip. Photo by Bill Landon
It was a pitching duel in the Suffolk class A semi-final June 14 when Miller Place No. 2 hosted Islip No. 3 where the bats were muzzled most of the way that resulted in a scoreless game through seven innings. Miller Place pitcher Jessica Iavarone found herself in trouble in the top of the 8th of the extra inning game, when Islip loaded the bases with no outs.
If the threat of a possible season ending base hit rattled Iavarone she didn’t show it and appeared to throw harder under the pressure. The senior fanned the next three batters to retire the side unscathed.
When asked how she handled a possible season ending inning Iavarone said she felt little pressure. “Honestly what calms me is to just think that nobody’s on the field and there’s no one on base and to pitch how I know how to pitch”, the senior said. “I just threw as hard as I {could}.”
After a Julia Lent base hit, Madison Power laid down a perfect bunt moving Lent over to second and beat the throw to first. Amelia DeRosa stepped into the batter’s box who battled at the plate before the junior ripped a rope to straight away center for the game winning hit and was immediately mobbed at second base.
DeRosa described her game winning double this way, “I saw {the pitch} I hit it in the gap, I had a good feeling I felt confident who was on base,” the junior said. “I felt really good and the nerves just washed away.”
The Panthers are back home June 15 for a best of three game series against No. 5 Bayport. Game time is 4 p.m.
Photos by Bill Landon
Miller Place junior Amelia DeRosa rounds 2nd for a standup triple in an extra inning 2-0 victory in the class A semi-final game against Islip. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place junior Amelia DeRosa rounds 2nd for a standup triple in an extra inning 2-0 victory in the class A semi-final game against Islip. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place junior Amelia DeRosa safely on at 3rd in an extra inning 2-0 victory in the class A semi-final game against Islip. Credit: Bill Landon
Miller Place junior Amelia DeRosa hits the game winning 2 run RBI to straight away center to win the class A semi-final round Jun. 14. Credit: Bill Landon
With bases loaded Miller Place junior Amelia DeRosa guns down the runner at home plate for the out in the class A semi-final game against Islip. Bill Landon photo
Miller Place junior Amelia DeRosa is mobbed by her teammates after smacking the game winning 2 run RBI for the victory Jun. 14. Bill Landon photo
Miller Place junior Ann McNulty (L) and Olivia Almodovar after an out in a home victory against Islip Jun 14. Credit: Bill Landon
Miller Place 8th grader Ava Zicchinelli makes the play in a home victory against Islip Jun 14. Credit: Bill Landon
Miller Place 8th grader Ava Zicchinelli smacks in infield grounder in an extra inning 2-0 victory in the class A semi-final game against Islip. Photo by Bill Landon
Ava Zicchinelli steals 2nd base for the Panthers in an extra inning 2-0 over visiting Islip in the class A semi-final Jun. 14. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place 8th grader Ava Zicchinelli fields the ball in an extra inning 2-0 victory in the class A semi-final game against Islip. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place senior Jessica Iavarone hits one deep in the class A semi-final game against Islip. Bill Landon photo
Miller Place senior Jessica Iavarone in an epic extra inning pitching performance in the class A semi-final game against Islip. Bill Landon photo
Miller Place senior Jessica Iavarone makes the play at 1st in the class A semi-final game against Islip. Bill Landon photo
Miller Place senior Jessica Iavarone makes the play at 1st in the class A semi-final game against Islip. Bill Landon photo
Miller Place senior Jessica Iavarone #2 is congratulated by teammates after pitching out of a bases loaded, no out inning in an epic pitching performance in the class A semi-final game against Islip. Bill Landon photo
Miller Place senior Jessica Iavarone in an epic extra inning pitching performance in the class A semi-final game against Islip. Bill Landon photo
Miller Place junior Julia Lent throws the runner out at 1st in the class A semi-final game against Islip. Bill Landon photo
Miller Place junior Julia Lent tags the runner out sliding into 2nd in the class A semi-final game against Islip. Bill Landon photo
Miller Place junior Julia Lent rounds 2nd base on her way home in the class A semi-final game against Islip. Bill Landon photo
Miller Place senior Madison Danin from behind the plate in an extra inning 2-0 victory in the class A semi-final game Jun 14. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place senior Madison Danin from behind the plate in an extra inning 2-0 victory in the class A semi-final game Jun 14. Photo by Bill Landon
Madison Power hits one straight away for Miller Place in a home victory against Islip Jun 14. Credit: Bill Landon
Senior Madison Power crosses the plate for the Panthers for the extra inning 2-0 victory in the class A semi-final game against Islip. Credit: Bill Landon
Miller Place senior Madison Zicchinelli hits a ground ball in an extra inning 2-0 victory in the class A semi-final game against Islip. Credit: Bill Landon
Olivia Almodovar (L) celebrates at home plate with Julia Lent after Amelia DeRosa ripped a base clearing double for the win in the class A semi-final game against Islip. Bill Landon photo
Olivia Almodovar takes a cut for the Panthers in an extra inning 2-0 victory in the class A semi-final game against Islip. Photo by Bill Landon
Olivia Almodovar tosses to first for the out in an extra inning 2-0 victory in the class A semi-final game at home against Islip. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place senior Sydney Stocken with a base hit for the Panthers in the class A semi-final game against Islip. Bill Landon photo
