RCDS vs. Holy Child Softball
Wildcats Defeat Gryphons in Battle of Undefeated Teams

Facing an offense bound to catch fire and detonate at any juncture of a contest, Rye Country Day junior Jolie Berke knew she would have to bring her “A” game against Holy Child May 2.
The junior did exactly that at home on a brutally cold May day, pitching the Wildcats to a 7-5 victory while striking out nine batters and stifling a Gryphon offense that came in averaging over 14 runs per game. “Finishing them in the top of the seventh inning was an awesome feeling,” said Berke. “They beat us last year by quite a lot so to be able to come back and beat them this year was great. The Gryphons are an incredible team, but I had confidence that our team could maintain the lead and we did. It was an amazing feeling to be able to get out on the mound and help bring the team to victory.”
Berke also led the team with two hits and two RBIs, and took advantage of early 5-0 and 6-2 leads that Rye Country Day built for her. The Gryphons responded however, using small ball to whittle the lead to 6-5 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning. Holy Child could never get over the hump though, and after a leadoff infield single in the top of the seventh, Berke was able to get the next three batters out in succession and give her team the win.
The matchup was an intriguing one, featuring a pair of undefeated Fairchester Athletic Association powers. Holy Child fell to 8-1-1 in the losing effort, but rebounded May 5 by beating St. Lukes 7-3. The Wildcats are now 9-0, following a 12-7 win against Fieldston May 5. For both teams the regular season schedule is winding down, and the playoffs rapidly approaching. The New York State Association of Independent Schools and FAA Tournaments are on top of one another, each respectively beginning May 17 and 19. It seems a given that these two schools will meet again on the road to a championship.
Berke has been a maestro on the mound, pitching to the tune of a 2.64 ERA with 56 strikeouts in 61 innings, but can also swing a mighty stick. The pitcher leads the Wildcats with a .448 average and eight RBIs. Chloe Giordano is still raking like she has been all season for Holy Child, hitting an astounding .634 with 10 home runs, 30 RBIs, and a slugging percentage of 1.488. Her home run, RBI and slugging numbers are all tops in the lower Hudson Valley.