Tiffany Rondon never experienced what a win over rival Preston felt like. The Cardinal Spellman ace hadn’t beaten the Panthers and she vowed to do it before she graduated.
“As a freshman pitching on varsity I always wanted to win it for my seniors,” she said. “My senior year came and I finally did it.”
Rondon contributed in a big way in the circle and at the plate in a 4-1 win over host Preston in CHSAA Bronx/Westchester softball Tuesday. She allowed just three hits, struck out two and walked four and went 2-for-3 with two runs batted in, including an RBI triple that drove in a run during a three-run first inning.
“That was amazing,” Rondon said. “It felt so good.”
First-year Pilots coach Brendan McCarrick called it the best game he has seen Rondon pitch. He knew jumping ahead of Preston, which easily won the first two meetings, was important to the win. McCarrick also praised Rondon’s poise.
Angie Arroyo went 2-for-3 with an RBI double and a stolen base. She has bolstered the infield defense since moving from catcher to first since returning from injury. Spellman added a run in the fifth to make it 4-1.
“This whole entire season we have been scoring late.” McCarrick said. “Scoring right off the bat felt very strange especially against Preston.”
Bianca Richards went 1-for-3 with a double and two runs scored and Christine Quinones was 1-for-4 with and RBI and a run scored. The win puts the Pilots in position to finish second in the division and Preston (10-1), ranked No. 5 in the city by The Post, still needs a win to clinch the division. It also gives Spellman (7-3) some major confidence heading into the postseason.
“It’s going to boost it big time,” McCarrick said. “They know Preston competes with the Staten Island teams. The fact that we beat Preston makes them believe we can go over there in the playoffs against these Staten Island teams.”
CHSAA STATEN ISLAND
St. John Villa 15, Notre Dame 7: The Bears scored three times in the opening inning thanks to a three-run homer from Serena Zinslie and a solo shot from Nicole Burt, who was 4-for-4. Sevdiana Liharevic had a two run single and Dorothy O’Neil drove in a run for Villa (4-5). Notre Dame is 3-9.
St. Joseph by the Sea 8, St. Joseph Hill 0: Alannah Dawson had two doubles and two RBIs and Christina Tufano collected two singles and two RBI’s for Sea (10-0). Lianna Jordan tossed a one-hitter. Hill is 1-9.
CHSAA BROOKLYN/QUEENS
St. Francis Prep 9, Christ the King 0: Nicole Lomangino scattered five hits, struck out six and walked just one for St. Francis Prep (7-4). Tara O’Rourke had two hits, including a triple and drove in a run. Kelly Lucil and Danielle Cervasio both provided RBI doubles. Christ the King is 0-12.
jstaszewski@nypost.com
Tiffany Rondon, The Cardinal Spellman, Preston online, Pilots coach Brendan McCarrick, McCarrick, Francis Prep, Spellman, Rondon
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