Watch: Miller’s Naomi Ryan makes her varsity baseball debut
PEMBROKE PINES, FLORIDA – As a member of Team USA’s Women’s National Team, Naomi Ryan has already performed on an international stage.
For the first time, the 16-year-old experienced pitching in a varsity baseball game.
The outing on an 80-degree Saturday morning was a success.
Ryan worked 1-1/3 scoreless innings for Miller School of Albemarle in a 5-5 tie with West Broward.
Miller School's Naomi Ryan made her varsity baseball debut, Saturday morning, pitching 1-1/3 scoreless innings. She also plays for Team USA's Women's National Team and showed she also has the stuff to compete with boys.
Photo by Joe Frisaro
“I was very excited to have this opportunity, and play for my team,” Ryan told SBLive Sports Florida after making her varsity debut.
Miller School is coached by former MLB reliever Billy Wagner, who handed the ball to Ryan in a tough spot. In the bottom of the sixth inning, she inherited a first-and-third situation with two outs, and her team down two runs.
Ryan held the line by recording a crucial strikeout.
“Coming into the game, I knew we were down by two with runners on first-and-third,” Ryan said. “I knew I just needed to make pitches – strikes -- and let my defense work for me.”
The Mavericks tied the score at 5-5 in the top of the seventh inning. Both runs scored with two outs on an error.
That set up West Broward getting one last at-bat.
In the bottom of the seventh, Ryan put herself in a bind by walking the leadoff batter, who advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. With the potential game-winning run on second base, Ryan issued another walk, giving West Broward runners on first-and-second with one out.
Miller’s defense stepped up with catcher Drew Lucy picking the runner off first. With two outs, right fielder Jackson Rosales made a game-saving, diving catch on a line drive to end the inning, and the game.
After experiencing her first varsity action, Ryan offers this advice to girls: “Keep working. Don’t listen to what other people say. Trust in yourself, and trust in the work you’ve put in.”
Due to the fact Miller School had an afternoon game scheduled at Taravella on Saturday, the morning contest officially was ruled a tie.
Miller and West Broward initially were scheduled to play on Wednesday, but the game was rained out, resulting in the schools rescheduling for Saturday at 9 a.m.
