Smith and Co. Defeat Old Westbury in Skyline Playoffs

Brooklyn, NY -  Three home runs. Most college softball players would be happy to hit that many in a season. But, in Wednesday night's Skyline Conference semi-final game against Old Westbury, NYU-Poly's Annamarie Smith (Henderson, NV) did it in one game.

The sophomore left-fielder hit a two-run shot to tie the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the second. She followed that with a two-out, three-run blast in the third to put the Lady Jays up 5-2 and capped off her amazing accomplishment with a solo shot in the bottom of the sixth to give NYU-Poly a 10-8 cushion. The Lady Jays would end up winning the game 11-8.

Freshmen Sadie Hoeschen (Huntington Beach, CA) also had a big day at the plate as she hit a pair of solo home runs in the third and sixth innings.

The Jays opened up an 8-2 lead for sophomore pitcher Miranda Merilli (Altoona, PA) after the third inning. But, Old Westbury responded in the fifth when Samantha Siegler hit a 3-run shot to make it 8-5.  Four straight singles and a crucial error by NYU-Poly led to three more Panther runs in the top of the sixth to tie it at 8-8.

Freshmen Lyndsey Rathburn (Mission Viejo, CA) came into pitch for the Lady Jays with two outs in the sixth and got the final out of the inning - and eventually the win.

With the wind howling straight out to center, NYU-Poly hit three straight home runs - all with two outs in the bottom of the sixth. Freshmen Megan Moran (Reno, NV) started the home run parade to give the Lady Jays the 9-8 lead. Smith and Hoeschen would follow to set the final.

NYU-Poly (22-13) will now play at Farmingdale on Saturday against the Lady Rams, 4-0 winners of their semi-final contest over Mount Saint Mary.