The Mineola Lightning 12U softball team has started off their season with a 5-1 record, putting them in first place in the Merillon League.
The Lightning began their season with a 6-5 victory over Garden City. Emily Haller and Kaitlyn Wetzel baffled Garden City hitters throughout the game, combining for 12 strikeouts in 5 innings pitched.
In their next game the Lightning traveled to Garden City and came back with a 12-7 victory. Grace Picone, Hannah Hoyt,Kaityln Wetzel and Erin Miller brought out their bats and had multi-hit games while Picone and Hoyt combined to have 12 strikeouts in 5 innings pitched.
The next game played was a exciting 10-8 victory over Carle Place as Ava Collica had 3 hits, 3 RBIs, and scored the winning run with a steal of home. Sarah Carbain had two long singles and also chipped in with 3 RBIs.
The Lightning then improved to 4-0 with a 7-6 victory over the Garden City Orange. Kailtyn McCarey had a single, which drove in the game winning run. Aileen Miller had 2 singles and scored 2 runs while Hannah Hoyt made an unassisted double play to end the game.
The Lightning dropped their first game to Carle Place 14-8. In the loss Kailtyn Wetzel had 3 hits and 4 RBIs.
Following the blowout, the Lightning bounced back with a 12-6 victory over Garden City Orange. Erin Miller and Victoria Defrancis both had unassisted double plays to end innings and Samantha Trested had a single and 2 RBI, Hannah Hoyt and Grace Picone had RBI doubles, Erin Miller contributed 3 hits and 2 RBI while Kailtyn Wetzel scored 4 runs, Ava Collica had 3 hits, Aileen Miller had a hit, scoring twice and Sarah Carbain pitched 2 strong innings. Hannah Hoyt baffled Orange Batters with only one run allowed in 3 innings pitched.
