Despite giving up nine runs in the top of the first inning, Rye’s baseball team refused to concede defeat at home against Ardsley May 12. The Garnets scored three runs in both the bottom of the first and second innings, but eventually lost 9-7.

“Being down 9-0 before you pick up a bat is tough,” said head coach Mike Bruno. “The team battled back and almost pulled it out. I wasn’t pleased with the score, but was happy the team didn’t quit.”

Rye started to nibble away during their first turn at bat, scoring on a Paul Derderian solo home run and a two-run homer from Paul Reisner. Pitcher Chris Fumasoli, who replaced Brogan Matthews in the top of the first, got the defense back on track by retiring the batters in order to keep the Panthers from scoring the rest of the game. He scattered four hits over six-plus innings and struck out three.

At press time the Garnets are 10-6-1 (7-3-1 in league play) with six games remaining before the Section playoffs begin.

– Melanie Cane