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"Malorie’s triple was only the fourth hit their pitcher has given up all year, and ours was the first run she’s allowed," Middletown coach Bob Dorflinger said. "I knew after the first time at bat, the top of the lineup would hit, but other than that triple, we hit right at them. That’s tough, especially against a pitcher like that.
"The girls didn’t give up, they went down swinging. We hung pretty strong and made some good contact."
Despite some sharply hit balls, Katherine Mosca was the only other Middletown player to reach base, drawing a one-out walk in the second. Mosca advanced to second on a passed ball and stole third base with some head’s up base running, but was stranded when Borelli recorded back-to-back strikeouts to end the frame.
Middletown (12-1) played its usual outstanding defense, but Orange was the first team to send several balls to the outfield.
The visitors scored two runs in the second, racked up four in the third and added two more in fourth. Borelli led Orange from the plate, going 3-for-4 with one RBI. Jen Post and Katie Winkle each scored two runs.
Kelly Fedorov took the loss on the mound, pitching a complete game and allowed six earned runs on eight hits and seven walks while striking out six. A few wild pitches and passed balls allowed advancement on the bases and a few extra runs to balloon the score.
"Pitching-wise, Kelly hung in there strong," Bob Dorflinger said. "They kind of exposed our weakness. They’re the first team in the tournament to do that."
The series continues today at 5:30 p.m. at Unity Park. New pitchers will be on the mound for both squads, and Middletown will have to continue to do what it has done to get here against undefeated Orange.
"We’re not going to do anything different," Bob Dorflinger said. "Who’s to say we can’t take them out tomorrow, make this a three-game series?"
