Yodowitz lights out for Post softball

BY STEPHEN HAYNES | Newsday Staff Writer

10:44 PM EDT, May 8, 2008

There was uncertainty as to whether C.W. Post's Northeast Regional Tournament game would get in before dark. But ace Samantha Yodowitz made certain that it did, taking only 65 minutes to toss a one-hitter in a 2-0 win over Caldwell (N.J.) Thursday that advanced Post to the semifinals.

The early games had been slated to begin at 9 a.m., but morning rain caused a two-hour delay. If the game preceding Post's hadn't concluded before 6 p.m., the Pioneers' would have been postponed.

At 5:40 p.m., the LeMoyne-Bryant game was tied at 1 in the fifth inning, and Yodowitz looked on from the seat of a golf cart, unsure if she would make the start that was scheduled for 4:30.

But LeMoyne broke open the game, resulting in a mercy-rule finish that allowed top-seeded Post (46-14) to take the field against the No.4 Cougars at 6:20.

Catcher Melissa Hippo was hit by a pitch to lead off the second and Yodowitz followed with a bunt that third baseman Nicole Bodrog threw over the first baseman's head. The two-base error put runners in scoring position for Holly Eringis, who delivered a double to centerfield.

"We wanted to put pressure on and make things easier for Samantha," said Eringis, who went 1-for-3.

That was all the run support the ECC Player of the Year needed. In what was her 31st career shutout (one shy of the school record), Yodowitz struck out three, walked none and allowed just four balls to reach the outfield, all pop-ups. The hit she yielded was a bunt single in the third by Carrie Flasphaler.

"I saw they were hesitant on the outside corners so I threw it there and tried to work quickly," Yodowitz said. "Just lots of screwballs to the outside."

The Pioneers will face LeMoyne at 2 p.m. Friday.

Post coach Jamie Apicella said he expected such a performance from Yodowitz, who improved to 25-6 and lowered her ERA to 1.52.

"I knew she would bear down and take us along for the ride," he said.

A fast ride at that.