Revere U16s lose first game of Babe Ruth World Series

PITTSFIELD – The Revere U 16 girls’ softball team knows they are playing with the elite right now.Yesterday, in it’s first game of the Babe Ruth U16 Softball World Series at the Doyle Complex, Kentucky pitcher April Wright reinforced that.Wright fired a one hitter and stuck out 13 and her team backed her with five first inning runs to lead her team to a 6-0 win on the first day of pool play.”I think our girls were a little nervous in the first inning and it showed, said Revere manager Mike Polsonetti, whose team returns to action today at 3 p.m. when they play Washington. “Once we got through the first inning, we were fine and held them to one run. We turn right around and play hard tomorrow. I’m confident in that.”Wright, who faced only 23 batters in the game and allowed just on Revere runner to reach second base, didn’t need a lot of support. Her team didn’t waste anytime in getting a run either.The first three Kentucky batters reached base without a ball leaving the infield off Revere starter Michelle Zullo. With one out, Miranda Marone singled home one run, and Jessie Thompson followed with a booming triple to the gap in right center to make the score 4-0. Thompson then scored on a base hit by Wright.”If there was one thing we probably didn’t want to have happen, it was to get off to a tough start,” admitted Polsonetti.Wright retired the first six hitters before Kelleigh Prince singled to open the third. Price stole second, but was left their as the three hitters went down. Kristina Gravellese was the only other runner to reach base when her ground ball was misplayed.”We played great defensively,” said Polsonetti, whose team cut down two Kentucky runners at the plate. “I think they’re pitcher was as good, if not the best, we’ll see in the tournament. We just have to get the bats going.”Zullo pitched a gritty game for Revere, allowing eight hits and just one more run in the final five innings.”Other then the first inning, I thought we did really well,” said Zullo. “I was a little nervous at first, but it went away. Kentucky could really swing the bats. I think we’ll be okay tomorrow.”