PREP SOFTBALL: Venice squeezes past Riverview in one-run win

VENICE — Thursday’s game was one Venice desperately needed.

Riding a four-game losing streak heading into the evening, a Senior Night victory against the district’s top team in Riverview would be the perfect antidote for head coach Steve Constantino’s team’s recent struggles.

With two on and two out in the top of the seventh — leading 2-1 — Venice starting pitcher Layne Preece forced Riverview’s Isabella Thompson into a flyout to center, securing the 10th win of the season for the Indians.

“These are the kind of games you have to do just enough to win,” Constantino said. “When we have everyone available, this is the type of team that can win big games like this. We’ve had problems finishing at times this season, but (Thursday) we were able to get it done. This was a fun game. This is what good teams do against each other.”

Venice (10-9) and Riverview (15-5) were paced by their starting pitchers during the early innings.

Through the first four frames, both pitchers combined to allow no runs and five hits in the circle.

Riverview’s Allison Cole (13-3, 1.15 ERA) proved why she’s considered one of the best pitchers in the area for much of the game, but eventually, the Indians broke through.

In the bottom of the fifth, Venice’s Myah Purdy hit a line drive out to right center that Riverview’s Emma Baltzersen’s couldn’t quite corral. Her diving attempt turned unsuccessful, allowing Purdy’s hit to roll all the way to the fence in right field.

With the ball in limbo, Purdy sprinted all the way around the infield for an inside-the-park homer to hand Venice a 1-0 advantage.

“When Myah sees a gap, she’s gone,” Constantino said. “She’s probably the fastest kid in the area. Nobody around here can motor like Myah can. When she rounded first and got to second, I knew she was coming home.”

Venice’s second run of the game came during the bottom of the sixth with two outs.

On a 2-2 pitch, pinch-hitter Hailey Conway beat out what looked like a routine groundout to shortstop, allowing Raionna Smith to score from second on some heads-up base running by the junior.

Heading into the top of the seventh, the Indians led, 2-0.

“(Raionna) stealing second was crucial there,” Constantino said. “Stealing on a girl throwing 60 plus isn’t easy. If she doesn’t steal, she doesn’t score on Hailey’s infield hit. That’s a big deal, and that’s the difference in the game.”

During the top of the seventh, Preece (7 innings pitched, 7 hits, 1 earned run, 2 strikeouts) quickly dispatched the first two Riverview batters she faced.

Then, things got a little dicey for the senior.

Preece surrendered three straight two-out hits, with the latter being an RBI single by Riverview’s Ella Trandem to trim the deficit to a run.

With runners on first and second, Thompson pushed Preece to a 3-2 count. With both runners on the move, Preece offered up a pitch that Thompson got under just enough to flyout to the open glove of Purdy in center.

“She was comfortable and consistent,” said Constantino of Preece. “On Senior Night, she overcame all of that emotion. That’s such a hard thing to do. When she’s consistent, (Preece) is absolutely amazing.”