Susan Wagner’s Taylor Sarcone tossed a gem against Lewis (Denis Gostev)
Taylor Sarcone was overcome with excitement as Jamie Sanfilippo’s single settled onto the outfield grass. Susan Wagner was going to the final.
“It’s the way I wanted to go out,” the senior ace and four-year starter said. “It’s very emotional for me.”
The RBI single in the sixth inning put an end to the second-seeded Falcons’ 11-1, rule-run win over No. 6 Francis Lewis in the PSAL Class A softball semifinals Saturday at the College of Staten Island. The championship game is the first for the school since 1989 and first for coach Marco Altieri and his seniors after making the semifinals five of the last six years. Lewis ended Wagner’s season last year in the quarterfinals.
“We have been coming up short, running into really good teams,” Altieri said. “One thing the girls said is we are going to do it this year. We all believed in each other.”
He and his team had to wait their turn to enjoy this moment and fittingly it was patience that got them there.
Wagner got a double from Jennifer Greenberg and a single from Sarcone with one out in the bottom of the first inning and then the wheels began to come off for Lewis starter Priscilla Lallave. She hit Dayna Williams to load the bases and then cut down the lead runner with a fielder’s choice. The Falcons followed with six straight walks leading to six runs to take a 6-1 lead. Wagner hitters barely took a swing during those at bats, staying off bad pitches.
“I assumed we like hitting,” Sarcone said of staying poised. “I’m sure it was tough, but we did a good job at it.”
The Falcons (18-2) added two runs in the third on an errant throw to first on a Julianna Rossetti single that sailed into right field to make it 8-1. Jeri Gennaro drilled a two-run double to left in the sixth before Sanfilippo delivered her game-clinching hit. Halle Siegel collected three hits and two runs scored. Sarcone allowed just five hits – three in the sixth – struck out three and walked just two against Lewis (16-4).
“I got a little comfort when I saw Taylor go into a groove,” Altieri said. “I just think Taylor was outstanding today and the defense played pretty well.”
Getting comfortable was something Lallave never truly did in the circle, Lewis coach Bryan Brown felt. He called it unbelievable and wasn’t sure if it was nerves or being too pumped up. As the walks mounted, he could see her trying to gather herself. She finally did, allowing just two more runs until the sixth.
Still, Brown was still proud of what his group accomplished making consecutive final fours.
The Patriots had to watch the other team celebrate for the second straight year in this spot. The Wagner players mobbed each other at home plate and Altieri gave assistant coach Tim McAuliffe a big bear hug alongside.
Both were given Gatorade baths after the game, with the girls only reaching the 6-foot-7 Altieri’s back.
“We have always come so close,” Siegel said. “It’s a great feeling knowing we are going to be in the championship.”