Danielle Locke wasn’t sure what sport she was competing in anymore as she rounded first base after a leadoff single. The Susan Wagner centerfielder slipped multiple times on the muddy track at Tottenville.
“I did probably like three splits,” Locke said. “I felt like a gymnast. I might as well try out for the gymnastics team now, thinking I am a little bit more flexible.”
Tottenville ace Nicole Palase struck out the next three batters swinging to end the top of the first. After the final out the coaches and umpires met and suspended the two rivals’ PSAL Staten Island softball opener Tuesday afternoon.
The game was also rained out Monday and then rescheduled. The two teams’ first meeting a year ago was rained out three times. No makeup date has been set yet for this season’s initial clash between the six-time defending PSAL champion Pirates, ranked No. 2 in the city by The Post and the Falcons, who are ranked fifth.
“We were all looking forward to it,” Locke said. “It’s a big game against Tottenville. We have been rivals for forever.”
Wagner coach Marco Altieri said as soon as he saw Locke slip he worried for the players’ safety. He noticed the ground balls taking big hops, but he and Tottenville coach Cathy Morano decided to give it try. The rain appeared to be letting up.
“When Locke got the hit and fell the way she did, it is just dangerous,” Altieri said. “You want to play a game like this, but they can’t get hurt.”
Palase noted that it was tough to plant her cleats even on the pitcher’s rubber. She was also effectively wild because of the slick ball at times, but settled in to get three straight outs.
“Then it gets annoying when they have to keep cleaning the ball after every pitch,” Palase said.
Morano, who spent a good portion of the afternoon trying to get her field ready, wasn’t surprised by the need to quickly call the game as a light rain did not let up and injuries became a concern.
“That’s what happens,” she said. “It’s softball.”