New York Rise Drop Game Two to Chattanooga Steam 5-3
Nick Mongiovi
Hofstra University Reporter
The New York Rise fell to the Chattanooga Steam, 5-3 on Saturday, July 20. A four-run fourth inning for the Steam prevailed over the Rise in this one. The New York Rise’s record worsened to (6-8) after the loss.
Kaylee Tow walked with one out in the fourth to start the rally. Sara Mosley smoked a two-run home run over the wall in left to knot the game up at 2-2. Sydney Kuma’s single was followed up by another two-run blast to left off the bat of Morgan Smith, which gave Chattanooga a 4-2 lead.
“She [Laurin Krings] left a couple pitches up in the zone,” said New York Rise head coach Rodney “Crash” McCray, on why the big inning for Chattanooga occurred. “Two balls got hit, they were up in the zone and they took advantage of a mistake.”
The Rise got out to an early lead in the bottom of the first. With two outs in the inning and Jenna Laird on first base, New York Rise catcher Makena Smith blasted a two-run shot to left to give the team a 2-0 lead.
McCray had some powerful words for his elite power-hitting catcher.
“You know, she’s like Barry Bonds,” McCray said. “Those types of people can hit and she’s a professional hitter. She stays true to the ball.”
Rise starting pitcher Laurin Krings held onto a three-inning no-hit bid, until the Steam exploded in the fourth. Krings’ night ended after four runs on three hits, two walks and three strikeouts over 3.1 innings of work. Sarah Cornell came in to relieve Krings in the fourth and notched 2.2 innings of one-run ball. Mariah Lopez tossed one perfect inning in the loss.
There’s been a common theme with this New York Rise offense; if the top four hitters in their lineup don’t hit, they’ll struggle to score runs. But if they hit, they’ll light up the scoreboard. It’ll be interesting to see if the Rise can get some more consistent production from other bats in their lineup during the Championship Cup in Chattanooga, starting on July 23.
The New York Rise faceoff against the Steam for the last game of the regular season on Sunday, July 21. The winner of game three takes the series and a little bit of momentum before heading into the playoffs. First pitch is at 1 p.m.
