Brooke Simmons' no-hitter lifts Glen Cove in Game 2 of softball finals against MacArthur
Brooke Simmons of Glen Cove delivers a pitch on her way to a no hitter in Game 2 of the best-of-three Nassau Class AA softball championship series against MacArthur on Friday. Credit: Michael A. Rupolo Sr.
When Brooke Simmons stepped into the circle for Glen Cove in the seventh inning, it was hard to miss the zero on the scoreboard in the opponent's hit column.
She induced a slow chopper fielded by Natalie Weigand, who stepped on first base for the game's final out. Simmons' performance not only saved Glen Cove’s season but matched a feat from 40 years prior.
Simmons threw a no-hitter in Game 2 of the best-of-three Nassau Class AA softball finals as No. 2 Glen Cove defeated top-seeded MacArthur, 3-1, on Friday afternoon at Farmingdale State.
“Yesterday’s loss brought us down, but we had to come into today with a different mindset,” Simmons said. “I’m ecstatic to have accomplished this today and to keep our season going.”
Simmons' no-hitter was the first in a county final game for Glen Cove since 1985, when Delia DeRiggi-Whitton threw a no-no in the Big Red’s county championship win, according to Glen Cove coach Kimberly Kessel. DeRiggi-Whitton was in attendance to see her performance matched by Simmons.
“We haven’t won since 1985 and I kept telling the girls, we don’t want to wait another 40 years,” Kessel said. “Delia DeRiggi-Whitton was here today and Brooke threw the no-hitter, it’s pretty crazy.”
Alex Livanos hit a one-hopper with one out in the seventh that appeared as if it would be MacArthur’s first hit. Second baseman Sienna Scagliola made a diving grab and fired from her knees to first to get the out.
“Brooke’s always awesome and it was our turn to have her back. When she pitches like that, you have to give it your all,” Scagliola said. “I was so-so on if I would get to the ball but just went for it.”
Simmons said, “I let out a sigh of relief, she saved my no-hitter. Knowing all the work she puts in at practice, I was pretty sure off the bat she’d make the play.”
The only baserunner came on an error to lead off the second inning for MacArthur (11-14). Anabelle Maria entered as a courtesy runner for catcher Angela Pellegrino and advanced to second on a fielder’s choice, then scored with two outs on two passed balls to give MacArthur a 1-0 lead.
“We switched things up and went more off-speed because hitters were on time yesterday,” Simmons said. “We knew we had to do things differently today and my defense made plays.”
Glen Cove (13-10) got two runs on a two-out error in the third inning and Julia Petrizzo hit a double to give the Big Red a 3-1 lead.
Glen Cove will take on MacArthur in a series-deciding Game 3 at 7:30 p.m. on Monday at Farmingdale State.
Christopher Matias covers high school sports for Newsday after spending time in Athletic Facilities and Operation at St. John’s and in Sports Information at CUNY York college.
