It was a complete team effort.
The High School of Telecommunication Arts & Technology softball team crushed Grand Street Campus 18–6 on April 20, on the strength of solid performances from just about every player on the roster.
“That was great to see,” Yellowjackets coach Glenn McCartney said. “We have no JV, so I have so many young girls on the team and it’s kind of a developmental year for them, so any time I can get them real-game experience is huge.”
Telecom got off to a quick start, batting through the lineup, and then some, to take a seven-run lead in the top of the first inning. The squad took an analytical approach at the plate, waiting for the perfect pitch and then, most importantly, swinging when it came. Amanda Ramos highlighted the early-game rally with a three-run homer and the Yellowjackets were, effectively, in control.
“Getting that up much, it sets a high confidence level. You live off of that,” said senior shortstop Thalia Santiago, who smacked a single in her first at bat. “You’re just like, ‘alright, we’ve got to keep going strong and keep this up.’”
Grand Street got two runs back in the bottom of the frame, but it wasn’t quite enough to dent Telecom’s collective confidence, and the Yellowjackets’ bats quickly went back to work.
Telecom added another run in the third and two more as in the fourth before breaking the game open in the fifth. Santiago — who just recently committed to St. Rose — led the charge, blasting a three-run homer. As a team, the Yellowjackets weren’t particularly challenged at the plate.
“I think the girls got more confident as they started going up more,” said Santiago, who finished with four hits and three runs scored. “I know, in my first at-bat, I was just thinking of trying to get into the game and as the girls saw and progressed more through the pitches, they got a hang of the ball.”
The Yellowjackets took advantage of a handful of Grand Street miscues throughout the game, and seized momentum on the base paths as the Lady Wolves struggled to stay consistent in the field.
“That’s our game plan. That’s how Telecom softball has always been,” McCartney said. “Put the ball in play, make the other team make plays and force plays. Just force them to make plays. That’s pretty much my entire philosophy.”
Grand Street’s best offensive performance came in the third — highlighted by Araselys Caro’s two-run triple — but Telecom pitcher Jessica Ariza settled in down the stretch.
It’s a confidence-boosting victory for Telecom, which is hoping to make a deep run into the playoffs this season and the chance to put every player on the box score is something the Yellowjackets are determined to build off of.
“We all work together really well and we all play together well,” said Telecom junior catcher Ashley Sclafani. “I feel like just having a connection with each other really helps a lot.”
