By Joseph Staszewski
Steve Piorkowski saw something change in his Bayside softball team’s mindset after division rival Benjamin Cardozo dropped a crossover game to Bryant.
The defeat drew the Commodores and the Judges even in the standings in the middle of April and meant their final meeting would likely decide the division title. Bayside, which lost their first game against Cardozo, took advantage of the opportunity presented to them.
“Once the door and opportunity opened up, they were determined to get it,” Piorkowski said.
The Commodores handed the visiting Judges a defeat with a score of 11-3 in PSAL Queens A-I softball May 10. Bayside placed second by a game last season. The win also helped Bayside become the No. 4 seed in the city playoffs. This group of players have gone through the growing pains to get here after many started on the team as freshman.
There is a lot of maturity that’s happened with them,” Piorkowski said. “It’s nice to see.”
Bayside (15-1) jumped ahead 6-0, thanks to a five-run third inning and never looked back. The middle of the order shined like it has all season and No. 9 hitter Amanda chipped in by going 4-for-4 with two runs scored against the Judges (14-2).
One of those hits led off the third. Emily Gomez, Heidi Gomez and Jacqueline Perno each singled to drive in a run during the frame and Taylor Moy added a sac fly. The Gomez sisters and Perno combined for seven hits, six RBIs and five runs scored.
“It’s tough to get through them without [them] scoring,” Piorkowski said.
Heidi Gomez, who picked up the win in the circle, kept things interesting by walking nine batters, allowing four hits and striking out nine. The junior was about to limit he damage, surrendering just two runs in the fifth and one in the seventh. Piorkowski knows she will need to be more efficient if Bayside is going to have playoff success.
“She is going to have to learn how to settle down for the next five games if we are going to do this,” the coach said.
Bayside has accomplished the first goal of taking the division and is playing its best softball heading into the playoffs with a city title in mind.
“They are finding their confidence and their belief in themselves now,” Piorkowski said.
