Eleven runs in the second inning sealed the deal for the Rye Country Day Wildcats Wednesday.
In the 19-14 season opening victory against the Hamden Hall Hornets, Christine Cunningham, Kimberlyn McKoy and Elexa Antweil led the way for the Wildcats.
"It was a great win," Coach Wendy Haft said.
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Haft credited her team's aggressive base running.
"Offensively we did well," she said.
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With her team down 8-2 in the second, Haft gathered the Wildcats to the pitchers mound after many falters.
"We just obviously weren't ready," she said.
Coming out of the brief break, the Wildcats were a different team.
Elexa Antweil initiated the team's comeback on a hit through the middle, making it all the way to third on stolen bases. Lindsay Haut stepped on base next, allowing Antweil to make it to home base. Runs from Jennifer Willamson, Alexandra Sabatini, Hilary Stock, Lindsay Haut and a McCoy hit to centerfield pulled the Wildcats to within one, 8-7.
The Wildcats held Hamden Hall to eight runs the rest of the way, for a 16-8 lead in the bottom of the third thanks to continued team contributions from Cunningham, Antweil and Cody Nilsen.
It was pretty much a done deal at the top of the fourth as the Wildcats held a 16-12 lead despite four runs by the Hornets.
Performances from Licare and Cunningham proved vital for the Wildcats down the stretch, helping to maintain a 17-12 lead for the eventual 19-14 win in the fifth.
Licare, a senior, (1-0) pitched her first game of her career after being an infielder last year.
The game was the team's first opportunity to play outdoors and feel out their surroundings due to recent inclement weather.
With players at new positions such as Stock at first base, Haut at third, Cunningham at short stop, Nilsen in right field, and Williamson at left field, there is room for improvement.
Elena Conn, Eve Wulf, Pauline Chiquet, Emma Mabie, also received playing time.
"We have a lot of work to do before Greenwich Academy [an upcoming opponent]," Haft said.
McKoy and Antweil each had triples on the day for the Wildcats.
The Wildcats were Fairchester Athletic Association Champions in 2007 and second place last year.
Rye Country Day next plays away at Greenwich Academy next Thursday.
