Valentine Helps Lead John Jay to 3rd place finish in Morabito Tournament

The John Jay High School softball team captured third place in the two-day James "Ace" Morabito Memorial Invitational Softball Tournament, which finished on Sunday at Binghamton's BAGSAI complex.
The Patriots, winners of both their games on Saturday, gave up a two-run lead in the bottom of the seventh of Sunday's semifinal and lost to Cicero-North Syracuse, 5-4.
"It was ours for the taking," said John Jay head coach Bonnie Schilling, "and we didn't take it."
John Jay's Tateum Valentine hit a game-tying solo homer in the top of the fifth. Nadia Kemp and Gabby Bracchi each scored in the seventh to take a 4-2 edge.
The Patriots bounced back in the third-place matchup, scoring four runs in the bottom of the third and six more in the fourth to pound Bethlehem, 12-3.
"They regrouped," Schilling said. "They were definitely focused at the plate. After the disappointment of the first loss, we wanted to make sure to leave with a win."
Brittany Winter launched a three-run home run in the fourth. Kemp was 2 for 4 with a triple and three runs scored, and Vicky Lattanzio (5-1), who had taken the loss against Cicero, was 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored.
Amanda Gisonni (5-1) earned the victory, striking out six and allowing seven hits in a complete-game effort.
On Saturday, John Jay won its opening game against Westhill, 20-2, with Valentine (GOLD) driving in three runs and scoring two, Kemp scoring three runs and driving in two, and Angelique Perricelli collecting four runs and two RBI.
In beating Horseheads, 9-4, later Saturday, Winter was 3 for 3 with a single, double and home run. Valentine and Bracchi each had three hits and two runs scored.
John Jay (10-2) returns home to face Arlington on Tuesday.
"Overall, we had a very good outing," Schilling said of the weekend. "I was pleased with how the team bonded and came together."