Mepham's Keira Ulmschneider allows just run over five innings to beat Seaford
Keira Ulmschneider of Mepham against Seaford on Monday. Credit: Kelvin Loarca
Mepham led by two runs as Keira Ulmschneider readied to throw a pitch with a full count and the tying runs on base in the fifth. With Seaford’s top hitter on deck, Ulmschneider delivered her final pitch, a strike on the inner part of the plate to end the threat.
Ulmschneider allowed one run over five innings as Mepham defeated visiting Seaford, 4-1, in Nassau I softball on Monday. Olivia Zukowski struck out five over the final two innings.
“My outside fastball was working well. I was hitting my spots most of the time,” Ulmschneider said. “Even if the ball leaked inside, they weren’t seeing it well, so everything was just working.”
Madelyn Burgess walked to open the fifth for Seaford (2-2). Ulmschneider retired the next two but walked Katie Padavan and gave up a single to Sophia Saracco, cutting Mepham’s lead to 3-1.
Rylie Betz singled to lead off the sixth for Seaford, but Zukowski struck out the next three hitters.
“Keira has pitched well this year, so I was going to give her every opportunity to escape the jam,” Mepham coach Tom Simone said. “Then I go to my closer, Olivia, and she complements Keira very well. She throws a bit harder and it keeps everyone off balance.”
Katelyn Agulles doubled and Jessica Heine singled with one out in the seventh for Mepham (2-2). Brianna Davis dropped a bunt single along the first-base line with two outs, scoring the runner from third and giving Mepham a 4-1 lead.
Emerson Urtheil walked with one out in the first. The junior scored from third on Heine’s infield single. An error on a dropped third strike brought Agulles home to give the Pirates a 2-0 lead.
“Getting on early sets the tone for us,” Urtheil said. “We just try to attack, even on the first pitch. It gets the team excited and gives confidence to everyone.”
Urtheil walked to lead off the third, advanced to second on a passed ball and took third on a wild pitch. DeAnna Cinquemani singled to drive in a run and put Mepham ahead 3-0.
Betz doubled with one out in the fourth for Seaford’s first hit. She finished 2-for-4 and struck out 11.
“We knew she had a strong rise ball, so we wanted to get in the front of the box,” Urtheil said. “Try to foul off tough pitches and give ourselves a chance.”
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.
