Caroline Ferchland allows no earned runs and strikes out eight for Oceanside softball on blustery day
Caroline Ferchland #15 of Oceanside delivers a pitch during a Nassau softball game at Bellmore JFK, on Saturday, April 6, 2024. Credit: David Meisenholder
Strong winds were whipping across the field, but It was still smooth sailing for Caroline Ferchland and Oceanside.
Ferchland struck out eight and allowed no earned runs as visiting Oceanside defeated Bellmore JFK, 8-1, in Conference I softball on Saturday morning. Ferchland picked up two hits, including a RBI double. Sophie Nesturrick had two hits and two RBIs. Logan Denman had a RBI single.
Lia Fong started strong for Bellmore JFK (1-2), getting three swinging strikeouts in the top of the first. Ferchland matched her, retiring the side in order and picking up two strikeouts.
“The movement on my pitches was working well,” Ferchland said. “My curveball was the pitch that started things off today.”
Samantha Chaisson picked up the Sailors’ first hit, a double in the second inning. Ferchland drove in Chaisson with a single for the game’s first run.
“I felt good at the plate,” Ferchland said. “Just kept my feet planted, wanted to load and put the bat to the ball.
Nesturrick produced some clutch hits, with a two-out RBI single in the top of the third, extending Oceanside’s lead to 4-0. The catcher had another two-out RBI in the fifth, driving in Maya Levy, as Oceanside went ahead 6-1.
“Obviously the goal for every game is to hit the ball,” Nesturrick said. “We struggled a bit with that last year, but this year the whole team has come out on fire.”
Riley Mahoney led off the seventh with a single and Levy followed with a double to drive in a run. Christina Vlahakis grounded out to drive in Levy and put Oceanside (3-1) ahead 8-1.
“We have seven seniors, last year we had none,” Oceanside coach Carlo Quagliata said. “We have good bats up and down the lineup and a team that’s been together for a bit.”
Ferchland allowed just three hits and retired nine straight to end the game. It was the second game this season the sophomore allowed no earned runs.
“Catching her is great, she pours in strikes and I don’t worry about where the ball is going,” Nesturrick said. “She’s been amazing this year and I’m excited to see her the rest of the season.
The defense behind Ferchland was also impressive. Levy made a diving stop on a sharply hit ball and fired to first for the out, retiring the Cougars’ first batter of the game.
Bella Parzch reached base on a single with one out in the fifth for the Cougars. Nesturrick fired the ball to first and then the ball was tossed to second to pick off the runner.
“Last year I was on my toes a lot, this year I’m relaxed because I have so much confidence in the girls out there,” Nesturrick, a Fordham commit said. “The defense everyone is playing gets me fired up to go out there and put some runs on the board.”
Christopher Matias covers high school sports for Newsday after spending time in Athletic Facilities and Operation at St. John’s and in Sports Information at CUNY York college.
