The LoHud Softball Blog

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Name                                   HS                                      College

Mary McCabe                 Ursuline                      Lafayette College

Fordham University along with Play Ball Group is hosting its annual softball clinic on Dec. 10-11.

The two day clinic features softball training and a chance for future exposure if you are thinking about playing ball in college.

Here are the particulars:

Where: Fordham University

When: Dec. 10-11

For: Ages 8-18

Register online at www.playballgroup.com or call 800-970-3230 or email info@playbalgroup.com

Some of the coaches of the professional coaches involved will be Rob Crews and former Section 1 standout as well as former University of Florida All-American Ali Gardiner

New City softball team members, in blue, and South Orangetown All-Stars softball team, in red, are congratulated by members of the Rockland Boulders after the National Anthem before the game between the Boulders and Brockton Rox at Provident Bank Park in Ramapo on Aug. 25, 2011. The members of the New City softball team that finished fifth at the Little League Softball World Series in Portland, Ore., were honored before the start of the game.

Rockland Boulders player first-baseman Cristobal Santana breaks his bat in the second inning against the Brockton Rox. ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

See more photos from the New City softball team’s appearance at the Rockland Boulders baseball game in a gallery here, and photos from the Boulders’ game against the Brockton Rox in a gallery here. Also go to LoHud.com for the evening’s stories.

New City Little League softball team members pose for photos for family and friends as they are greeted after being delivered by New City fire engines to Zukor Park for a pep rally held in their honor in New City on Aug. 4, 2011. The community held the pep rally for the girls, who are already regional champions, before they head to Portland, Ore., for the Little League Softball World Series. ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

See more photos of the pep rally held for the New City Little League softball girls in a photo gallery, and go to LoHud.com for the story by writer Rob Cristino.

I just want to make you aware of some really great talent coming down the pipeline to keep an eye out for in Rockland County who will be looking to keep the Section 1 tradition alive:

Starting out in the Rockland Little League, you don’t have go pretty far, the New City Little League (Majors division) are in the process of preparing to travel to Portland Oregon for the Little League World Series.  Many of these girls play travel ball, a lot for the Hudson Valley Hurricanes, but you can’t deny the talent level.  As far as pitching is concerened, I love the arms of Reese Guevarra and Sarah Brauer. On Brauer, I saw her pitch New City into the Eastern Regional tournament and she’s got some good movement on her pitches. She’s a gamer cause they were playing in a championship series and Brauer pitched the second game which was win or go home scenario.  It didn’t fase her.  Then on Guevarra, I saw her pitch in our sponsered Tournament of Champions back in June, then twice in the state tournament. As a pitcher, she’s got all the tools to be a star at the varsity level. She’s got an arsonal of pitches and can change speeds with the best of them. And the sign of a good pitcher is how well you do when you get into trouble, Guevarra just bares down and gets the job done. Sound familiar? She’s also their  lead off hitter and the girl can fly.  She’s also versatile, she can play center field and second base as well.  One other name from that team I think will be a star at the varsity level is catcher Sara Herskowitz.  Her skills defensively are incredible. The girl has a cannon of an arm. She calls a pretty good game for all of the pitchers. And her bat is tremendous. As I said about Guevarra, I’ve seen Herskowitz in our sponsered Tournament of Champions and if you’ve ever been to Haverstraw Little League, the field, for a young kid, is relatively massive. She popped a home run over the left field fence. Yes, I know that the game was pretty well in hand for the New City at the point she hit the home run but a home run is a home run. And for a young girl, it was an incredible shot. Then, through out the state tournament, I saw them play in three different games, Herskowitz had a least one hit in each game. She’s going to be an asset to her high school team.

At the 9-10 year old level, South Orangetown is playing currently in the Eastern Regional tournament in Fleetville Penn., and they have a few talented kids coming down the pipeline.  Two of the main names that have been coming up a lot in my phone conversations are Jessica Ragonesi and Emily Trozzo. Both have excelled in the post-season and especially in the first two games of the regional pool play. Trozzo has gotten double digit strikeouts in each game that I’ve taken over the phone.

When it comes to the Rockland based travel teams, I always reccomend you keep an eye on the Hudson Valley Hurricanes.  It’s the home of many current and past Section 1 players including a few of the 2009 Pearl River state champions.  But they also have a lot talented kids who are either budding varsity players or ones who are currently playing varsity but you don’t know a lot about.

Also, Briana Keaveney is someone to keep an eye out for. She’s playing for one of the most competitive travel teams out there in New Jersey.

Keep an eye for these players.

Unfortunately, I haven’t gotten a chance to scout kids in Westchester so if there are teams whether it be little league or travel teams.  Please use this post to do so.  Any kids that I should look out for, please let me know.

In case you missed it, here’s a look at the teams that Rob and I picked:

Westchester/Putnam all-star team

Rockland all-star team

Now I’m going to put all of you to task.

Some of my other colleagues did this and I want to see what you think, put yourself in mine and Rob’s shoes, pick your own all-star, including player of the year. You get the traditional positions, three outfielders, three pitchers and one utility. Who would you pick?

Here’s a look at the final state rankings of the season:

Softball
2011 NYSSWA rankings (Final)

Class AA
1: 22-3 John Jay East Fishkill-1 *
2: 13-5 Farmingdale-8 *
3: 23-1 Cicero-North Syracuse-3 *
4: 25-1 Bay Shore-11 *
5: 23-1 Tottenville-PSAL *
6: 22-1 Archbishop Molloy-CHSAA *
7: 19-4 Valley Central-9 *
8: 18-6 Bethlehem-2 *
9: 11-8 East Meadow-8
10: 14-3 Niagara-Wheatfield-6 *
11: 16-5 Greece Athena-5 *
12: 19-4 Shenendehowa-2
13: 13-8 Union-Endicott-4 *
14: 17-5 Corning-4
15: 14-4 Clarence-6
16: 24-4 Kellenberg-CHSAA
17: 15-6 Connetquot-11
18: 16-4 Ursuline-1
19: 18-6 Brockport-5
20: 15-5 Kingston-9
21: 15-6 Minisink Valley-9
22: 17-8 Deer Park-11
23: 18-4 Fairport-5
24: 15-5 Colonie-2
25: 20-2 Madison-PSAL
26: 18-4 West Babylon-11
27: 17-3 West Genesee-3
28: 15-6 Pine Bush-9
29: 14-8 Smithtown East-11
30: 11-6 Lancaster-6
30: 20-2 Half Hollow Hills West-11
30: 16-5 North Rockland-1

Class A
1: 23-1 Pittsford Mendon-5 *
2: 24-1 Kings Park-11 *
3: 21-1 South Glens Falls-2 *
4: 15-8 Elmira Free Academy-4 *
5: 23-2 Pearl River-1 *
6: 20-2 Eastchester-1
7: 13-7 Seaford-8 *
8: 21-3 Phoenix-3 *
9: 13-8 Port Jervis-9 *
10: 16-3 Williamsville East-6 *
11: 18-2 Plainedge-8
12: 18-5 Geneva-5
13: 20-2 Marlboro-9
14: 16-4 Depew-6
15: 16-3 Williamsville South-6
16: 18-4 Harrison-1
17: 10-9 Averill Park-2
18: 16-8 Sayville-11
19: 15-5 Shoreham-Wading River-11
20: 20-6 Moore Catholic-CHSAA
21: 15-5 Jamesville-DeWitt-3
22: 12-4 Amherst-6
23: 15-2 Cornwall-9
24: 14-5 Brighton-5
25: 14-6 Queensbury-2

Class B
1: 21-4 Windsor-4 *
2: 22-6 Rhinebeck-9 *
3: 21-3 Mechanicville-2 *
4: 21-1 Falconer-6 *
5: 13-5 Susquehanna Valley-4
6: 20-2 Hoosick Falls-2
7: 15-5 Chenango Valley-4
8: 20-2 Adirondack-3 *
9: 19-3-1 Carle Place-8 *
10: 22-1 Mynderse-5 *
11: 20-2 Canton-10 *
12: 19-5 Babylon-11 *
13: 17-5 Valhalla-1 *
14: 18-4 Aquinas-5
15: 16-5 Rye Neck-1
16: 15-6 Cohoes-2
17: 15-7 Center Moriches-11
18: 12-6 Dunkirk-6
19: 19-2 Chatham-2
20: 19-4 Wayland-Cohocton-5
21: 15-7 Solvay-3
22: 17-3 Canastota-3
23: 15-6 Construction-PSAL
24: 12-8 Tuxedo-9
25: 15-4 Peru-7 *

Class C
1: 26-0 Elmira Notre Dame-4 *
2: 21-2 Haldane-1 *
3: 17-9 Greenwich-2 *
4: 20-4 South Lewis-3 *
5: 15-3 Chester-9 *
6: 16-4 Port Jefferson-11 *
7: 16-4 Tioga-4
8: 18-2 Greene-4
9: 21-3 Duaneburg-2
10: 12-2 Lancaster St. Mary’s-CHSAA
11: 17-7 Frewsburg-6 *
12: 19-3 Oakfield-Alabama-5 *
13: 17-2 Keshequa-5
14: 16-2 Franklinville-6
15: 11-6 Pierson-11
16: 17-3 Honeoye-5
17: 17-3 Sandy Creek-3
18: 14-6 Elmira Heights-4
19: 15-2 Gananda-5
20: 10-9 Millbrook-9
21: 8-11 Binghamton Seton Catholic-4
22: 13-5 Ticonderoga-7 *
23: 19-4 Herkimer-3
24: 13-7 Cooperstown-3
25: 10-9 Norwood-Norfolk-10 *

*-sectional champion

Here is a look at the awards that were given out last night:

Diamond Nine + 1
Nicole Abbate (Ardsley), Laura Campbell (Haldane), Katie Champagne (Lakeland), Nicole DiNardo (Westlake), Dana Kurtti (Clarkstown South), Janine Lalli (Eastchester), Becky Leone (Nyack), Kristen Rodopolous (Ursuline), Lauren Sputo (White Plains), Jamie Zakalik (New Rochelle)

Scholarship Awards:
Skip Walsh: Taylor Pirone, Ursuline
Jim Mackenzie: Chelsea Lisikatos, Haldane
Anthony Zimbalatti: Jess Magnotta, Harrison
Softball Coaches Association: Katie O’Flynn, Pearl River; Alex Kinally, Valhalla

All Section List (keep in mind, you guys are getting the early preview. This will actually be running with Rob’s and my all-star teams next month)
League IA
Lynzi DeLuccia (Arlington), Tyler Weil (Arlington), Casey Herzog (Ketcham), Molly McCarthy (Ketcham), Chelsea Boyes (Ketcham), Nadia Kemp (JJEF), Vicky Lattanzio (JJEF), Amanda Grisonni (JJEF), Shaylyn Wood (Beacon), Sophia Rhoades (Lourdes). Honorable Mention: Marlene Cuevas (Ketcham), Alyssa Cuzzola (Arlington), Samantha Ferris (Arlington), Kathleen Davis (Beacon), Gabby Bracchi (JJEF). Coach of the year: Melissa Zehr (Ketcham).
League IB
Marisa Delzio (Brewster), Jess Gresinger (Brewster), Nikole Larm (Brewster), Alyssa Rodia (Carmel), Miwa Wenzel (Yorktown). Honorable Mention: Elise Symer (John Jay), Laura Eidam (John Jay), Teresa Ricci (Mahopac), Brittany Allocca (Carmel), Christina Graff (Brewster), Nicole Wilson (Yorktown), Kayla Michelson (Yorktown). Coach of the year: Lisa Delzio (Brewster)
League IC
Chelsea Lisikatos (Haldane), Laura Campbell (Haldane), Rachel Buckner (Hen Hud), Mary O’Reilly (Panas), Katie Champagne (Lakeland). Honorable Mention: Molly Roche (Panas), Sheridan Taylor (Peekskill), Sam Lisikatos (Haldane), Cassidy Boyle (Hen Hud), Adriana Daw (Panas). Coach of the year: Nick Lisikatos (Haldane)
League ID
Alish Hogan (Kennedy), Erin Wood (Dover), Nicole Capra (North Salem), Lauren Owens (Pawling). Honorable Mention: Katelyn Mayr (Dover), Rachel Entwhistle (Kennedy), Kaela Fields (Kennedy), Katie McSweeney (North Salem), Katelyn McDougal (Pawling). Coach of the year: Pat Hogan (Kennedy)
League II-A
Allie Mandarano (New Rochelle), Jamie Zakalik (New Rochelle), Rachel Halperin (Scarsdale), Brittany Mitchell (Ursuline), Taylor Pirone (Ursuline), Kristie Vitulli (Ursuline), Christina Coppola (White Plains), Lauren Sputo (White Plains). Honorable Mention: Angela Trozzi (New Rochelle), Nicole Christian (Saunders), Libby Gross (Scarsdale), Kari Bird (Ursuline), Mary McCabe (Ursuline), Stefanie Hodapp (White Plains), Jaimie Klotz (White Plains). Co-Coaches of the year: Joe DeCarlo (Mount Vernon), J.R. Harman (Saunders)
League II-B
Bronwyn Biingham (Dobbs Ferry), Andrea Abbatiello (Dobbs Ferry), Madison Dinaso (Ardsley), Joan Marshall (Ardsley). Honorable Mention: Nicole Abbate (Ardsley), Alex Cialini (Dobbs Ferry), Hannah Bernard (Irvington), Lizzi Vogel (Irvington). Coach of the year: Noreen Degnan (Ardsley)
League II-C
Janine Lalli (Eastchester), Kristen Martin (Eastchester), Anna Crowley (Eastchester), Kelly Keith (Pelham), Jill Ayson (Pelham). Honorable Mention: Meghan Reynolds (Pelham), Samantha Wright (Pelham), Danielle Cacciola (Eastchester), Taylor DelGatto (Eastchester), Kristy Rodriguez (Roosevelt), Kristen Yaccino (Yonkers), Casey Stevko (Tuckahoe). Coach of the year: Chris Walpole (Eastchester)
League III-A
Madeline DeMilio (Valhalla), Brandi Coon (Valhalla), Tina Karaqi (Westlake), Alicia Marino (Pleasantville), Jamie Bucci (Sleepy Hollow). Honorable Mention: Alex Kinally (Valhalla), Nicole DiNardo (Westlake), Summer Horowitz (Briarcliff), Nicole Gagliardi (Pleasantville), Cyan Scarduzio (Ossining). Co-Coaches of the year: John Hayes and Brian Conroy (Valhalla).
League III-B
Jenna Webb (Harrison), Allyson Brabant (Harrison), Jess Magnotta (Harrison), Jess Calvini (Rye Neck), Christie Lombardi (Fox Lane), Toni Ann Licata (Fox Lane), Jamie Weisser (Horace Greeley). Honorable Mention: Alijah Webb (Harrison), Nicole Pineda (Rye Neck), Vanessa Laise (Rye Neck), Hannah Marks (Horace Greeley), Alison Lombardi (Fox Lane). Coach of the year: Joan Spedafino (Rye Neck).
League IV-A
Vittoria Adams (North Rockland), Brianna Rivera (North Rockland), Taylor Corretjer (North Rockland), Danielle DeStaso (Clarkstown North), Laura Brennan (Clarkstown North), Dana Kurtti (Clarkstown South), Sami McDonald (Clarkstown South), Lindsay Cohen (Suffern). Honorable Mention: Brianna Nicosia (North Rockland), Destiney Jones (North Rockland), Amanda Cooper (Clarkstown North), Ruby Silverstein (Clarkstown North), Alison Tobias (Clarkstown South), Kathleen Baker (Suffern). Coach of the year: Danielle Trainor (Clarkstown North)
League IV-B
Meghan Richards (Albertus Magnus), Melissa Place (Albertus Magnus), Katie O’Flynn (Pearl River), Jamie DeGennaro (Pearl River), Kristyn Neroda (Pearl River), Colleen Pagnani (Tappan Zee). Honorable Mention: Tara Condon (Albertus Magnus), Becky Leone (Nyack), Gemma Mahoney (Pearl River), Paulina Gutkin (Tappan Zee), Dee Sinanaj (Tappan Zee), Cassi Coyle (Tappan Zee). Coach of the year: Mike Carlacci (Pearl RIver)

There were two really great speeches made at the dinner by former Section 1 standouts Maddy Coon and Ali Gardiner. I will talk about those in another post but I just wanted to say congratulations to all the award winners last night.

Before I continue on, I just want to say congratulations to Haldane on a terrific job in the state final four.

In the state finals, the only real mistake was to Taylor Drake of Elmira Notre Dame in the top of the eighth inning when. Both Chelsea Lisikatos and coach Nick Lisikatos both admitted it after the game. The count was full when Chelsea Lisikatos left a pitch over the middle of the plate and Drake did what she should’ve done.

But in all honesty, Haldane was in position to win the game all the way through. The biggest problem was that when they had runners in scoring position, the Blue Devils couldn’t cash in especially in the bottom of the sixth inning.
The Blue Devils kept matching zeros with Elmira all the way till that top of the eighth inning. They really played a hard fought game and they shouldn’t be hanging their heads at all.

However, they could’ve saved a few runs from the state semifinals against Frewsburg. Not many teams can say that they scored 22 runs in the state semifinal. That’s very unusual.

Some of the final stats from the state final four for Haldane:

Offensively:
Chelsea Lisikatos – 4 for 8 with five RBI
Sam Lisikatos – 5 for 9 with a double, triple, three RBI
Judi Barcavage – 4 for 7 with three RBI
Shauna Ricketts – 2 for 7 with three RBI
Kelly Vanos – 3 for 8 with an RBI
Laura Campbell – 2 for 7 with an RBI

I really want to just congratulate Haldane (21-2) on a fantastic season.

To the seniors: It’s been a pleasure watching you these last four years but to Chelsea Lisikatos, don’t look back on what happened with sad memories. Yes, the script didn’t end the way you would’ve hoped but you helped put Haldane on the Section 1 map and blazed a path for the future of the Blue Devils. I wish you all the success in the world at UNC-Charlotte.

I do want to give my personal congratulations to Bonnie Schilling and the John Jay-EF softball team. You played hard and well all year and you deserve it. I enjoyed watching you in the Sectional final. It’s a tremendous accomplish and it is the first since 2001.

Congratulations!