Note: More media content is available for this story at BrooklynDaily.com.
By Mike Morton
Brooklyn Daily
Poly Prep’s Jacquie Kennedy held balloons and flowers given to her by friends and family to celebrate her birthday before Friday’s game against Horace Mann, and the celebration continued into the game for the senior shortstop.
Kennedy delivered a strong game to lead the host Blue Devils to an 11–9 victory over the Lions in Ivy League softball on Friday.
Kennedy blasted a key solo homerun in the bottom of the sixth inning to increase Poly’s lead to three. She reached base in all four of her trips to the plate, scoring each time, while also collecting two RBIs.
“It was a nice birthday present,” Kennedy joked.
The Blue Devils (10–4, 6–3), who led Horace Mann 8–2 after five, saw their lead dwindle to just two going into the bottom of the sixth. Kennedy knew she would have to do something to restore the team’s confidence.
“We’re kind of a team of head cases sometimes,” she said “To be able to get a hit like that to really bring them up was really important.”
Kennedy’s bat is beginning to warm up after a slow start to the season. Poly coach Mildred Piscopo believes her resurgence can lead to great things down the stretch.
“She’s one of our big team leaders, and she’s been struggling with the bat lately,” Piscopo said. “She’s been working and working and working, and each game there’s a sign of getting her hands out a little quicker and doing a little more.”
Kennedy’s leadership showed in the late innings on Friday. After taking an 11–6 lead into the seventh inning, Poly again saw Horace Mann (7–3) fight back and cut into the deficit. In the final frame, the Lions strung together a series of hits and walks to get within two with the bases loaded and two outs.
Piscopo visited relief pitcher Anna Malatronle to boost her confidence. When the coach returned to the bench, Kennedy walked to the circle to share some words with her teammate, as well.
“Pitchers always have the hardest job,” Kennedy said. “All the pressure is on their back. I just told her we have her back.”
Ciara Schirripa, daughter of Soprano’s star Steve Schirripa, started the game for the Blue Devils. She struggled after a strong start. Schirripa allowed six runs in six innings off nine hits and five walks. All six of those runs allowed came in the last three innings.
“I could see my pitcher was starting to struggle a little bit,” Piscopo said. “She was just having a tough time with the location.”
Poly’s victory over Horace Mann places it in a tie for third place in the Ivy League. The Blue Devils had a tough start to the season, losing three tough games to rivals Fieldston and Riverdale. However, Piscopo believes her team is trending in the right direction after winning five out of their last six contests.
“This is good momentum for us,” she said.
Reach reporter Joseph Staszewski at jstaszewski@cnglocal.com. Follow him on twitter @cng_staszewski.