Sports

Softball: Gravagna, in first start, tosses two-hitter for Monarchs

Bishop McGann-Mercy first baseman Jackie Zaweski fielding a ground ball for an out. (Credit: Robert O'Rourk)
Bishop McGann-Mercy first baseman Jackie Zaweski fielding a ground ball for an out. (Credit: Robert O’Rourk)

MONARCHS 20, BEARS 4 (5 INNINGS)

Eighth-grader Nicole Gravagna’s first varsity start for the Bishop McGann-Mercy softball team turned out to be a successful and memorable one Monday.

The right-hander hurled a two-hitter, struck out three batters and walked four as the Monarchs recorded a 20-4 victory over The Stony Brook School in a game called after five innings due to the mercy rule.

McGann-Mercy (7-6, 7-6) certainly ruled in this Suffolk County League V game, scoring 10 times in the first inning without the benefit of a hit against the host Bears (0-13, 0-13). The Monarchs, who sent 15 batters to the plate in the inning, took advantage of the wildness of pitcher Sydney Dunn, who walked eight batters and hit another six.

Lead-off hitter and center fielder Jamie Lessard was on base all five times she batted via four walks and a single, one of three McGann-Mercy hits. She also scored four times.

The Monarchs scored four times in the second inning and put up six runs in the third.

First baseman Jackie Zaweski had two runs batted in and scored three runs. Third baseman Brittany Foulkes, who also scored three times via walks, had a fourth-inning single.

McGann-Mercy will host Hampton Bays on Thursday before visiting Southampton on Friday.