Big first inning from Molly Silecchia propels Kellenberg softball
Kellenberg's Molly Silecchia hits a home run against Our Lady of Mercy (Rochester) on Thursday. Credit: Brittney Dietz
Molly Silecchia brings a calming presence to the Kellenberg softball team. She also can provide a jolt of energy.
The Firebirds trailed by a run when she entered the circle with the bases loaded and no outs in the top of the first inning. After limiting the damage, Silecchia launched a two-run home run to centerfield ignite Kellenberg’s offense in a 16-4 win over visiting Our Lady of Mercy (Rochester) in non-league Thursday morning.
Silecchia, who is committed to Catholic University, struck out six and allowed one earned run and one hit in four innings and went 2-for-3 with four RBIs. Kellenberg exited the top of the first inning trailing, 3-0.
“To come into that situation and be able to mentally persevere and get those outs and remain steady the rest of the game, that’s a huge mental test,” coach Ken Conrade said.
Lauren O’Brien lined a leadoff single to center before Silecchia’s big swing opened the scoring in Kellenberg’s nine-run first inning.
“When Lauren got on base, I knew we could start a rally,” Silecchia said. “When I saw the ball go over the fence, I felt like we were in a groove that the rest of the team would feed off of that. We went on a roll.”
Gianna Abbenda grounded an RBI single to center, and Ashley Becker punched a two-run single to shallow right field. O’Brien added an RBI double, and Silecchia drove in two more runs on a single to cap the explosive first inning.
O’Brien went 3-for-3 with a triple and three RBIs. Briana Scibilia had two RBIs and Alexis Zaremba went 2-for-3 with two runs scored.
On Wednesday, Kellenberg (2-2) lost its first matchup of the season with St. Anthony’s, 9-1. The Friars have won eight straight NSCHSAA championships and five consecutive state CHSAA titles.
“Yesterday, we were all off and taking big swings, so it was important for us to start it up early today and get the energy going again,” said O’Brien, a junior who is committed to Hofstra.
Said Silecchia: “It’s about coming back and making sure we’re changing things for the better and not playing the same way every day. I think we put that in motion today.”
Matt Lindsay is a high school sports reporter who joined Newsday in 2022 after graduating from Stony Brook University.
