New York Rise Offense Sputters in 5-1 loss to the Oklahoma City Spark
Nick Mongiovi
Hofstra University Reporter
The New York Rise came back to Bill Edwards Stadium at Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY, and fell to the Oklahoma City Spark 5-1. The Rise’s losing streak extended to three games, as they sit at a record of (4-6), while the Spark remain undefeated at (9-0).
The fans of the New York Rise voiced their frustration early in the contest as it appeared that Rise starting pitcher Jailyn Ford was being squeezed on balls and strikes calls from the very first at-bat. Rise head coach Rodney “Crash” McCray shared his thoughts on the strike zone.
“Jailyn, she was excited, she was pumped up more than normal.”
“Jailyn, she was excited, she was pumped up more than normal,” said McCray. “She was looking forward to facing these girls, she was excited, so I think that’s why she couldn’t find the strike zone. She was amped up more than normal and the early walks put us behind which is what beat us tonight.”
Ford walked four batters in the first inning, as the Rise trailed 1-0 early in the contest. Back-to-back singles to leadoff the second inning for Oklahoma City off the bats of Sydney Sherrill and Chloe Malau’ulu and a fielder’s choice, set up runners on second and third with one out.
With two outs in the second frame, Rylie Boone doubled to left center, scoring both Sherrill and Malau’ulu, increasing the Spark’s lead to 3-0.
The OKC Spark tacked on two more in the third, as a double off the glove of Alex Honnold in center put a runner in scoring position with one out. Following the double, the Spark laced a single to right, increasing their lead to 4-0. That RBI single knocked Ford out of the game, as Courtney Wyche entered the circle in relief.
Wyche issued a walk to her first batter, creating a first and second scenario with one out. A wild pitch advanced both runners, as Oklahoma City continued to apply the pressure. Rachel Becker scored from third on a 4-3 fielder’s choice to give the Spark a commanding 5-0 lead.
Coach McCray remains optimistic amidst the three-game losing streak and only winning one of their last seven.
“I just told them [the team] to keep plugging away,” McCray said. “We just didn’t have an offense tonight and that’s not going to happen all the time. We had a long day yesterday, we didn’t get in until three o’clock in the morning adn the girls have been playing a lot. This is what they call “the grinding part of the season.” We got six games here in a row, but we’re getting an off day on Thursday, so we can recharge our batteries.”
The playoffs are just around the corner, as the Rise wrap up their regular season on Sunday, July 21. In order to win the championship, there are things that McCray and his team must work on.
“I believe in us, I believe in us real well. We’re going to be right there. We’re going to be ready for the playoffs.”
“Shorting up our swings a little bit and putting the ball in play,” McCray said. “I believe in us, I believe in us real well. We’re going to be right there. We’re going to be ready for the playoffs.”
Ford’s day ended after 2.2 innings of work where she allowed five runs on four hits and five walks while only fanning one. The pitching staff as a whole issued seven base on balls and only struck out two.
After doubling to begin the bottom of the sixth, Ashley Trierweiler came around to score on a throwing error by Spark pitcher Keilani Ricketts, cutting the deficit to 5-1.
The New York Rise are back in action on Tuesday, July 16, as they look to get themselves back into the win column and put an end to this seven-game skid. First pitch is at 7 p.m.
