Tappan Zee continued its roll with a 7-2 victory over Eastchester, earning a second consecutive Class A championship-game appearance. The Dutchies will face a vaunted Hen Hud team which is seeded first and lost only once, 4-3 to Clarkstown North.

     The Dutchies blew this game open with a four-run fifth inning, highlighted by winning pitcher Tayla Gardner’s two-out double. It also feature a two-run infield single, that traveled about 20 feet, by Tricia Fairclough. Gardner went six innings, allowing two runs on six hits and she struck out six. Michelle Wedemeier pitched the seventh and rang up a strikeout.

     Superburner Brittni Alexander continued her disruptive ways, going 1 for 2 with a walk and she was hit by a pitch. She scored three runs and swiped three bases.  On Fairclough’s fifth-inning infield hit, Alexander breezed home from second base. In three post-season games, Alexander is now 8 for 10 and is burning up the basepathes. Alexander is so fast that not even a slow-motion replay could slow her down.

     So, after Tappan Zee opened the season with five losses in its first seven games, all the Dutchies have done is go 18-1 in their last 19. That’s a credit to an all-around team effort and first-year coach Gene Kousoulas. Following the rough start, it could have been very easy for Tappan Zee to get down on itself. Instead, the Dutchies pulled together, started playing good ball and they have seen the results.

     Not only was freshman Tayla Gardner impressive, so was Eastchester 9th-grader Noelle McDonough. I saw McDonough twice this season, including Pearl River, and she is an outstanding windmiller. Should Tappan Zee and Eastchester remain in the same class I can see these two having many more matchups.

     Congratulations to Eastchester on a great season. The Lady Eagles finished 19-6 and stamped themselves as a 2008 sectional contender. 

     Eastchester went to the Morabito tournament and despite losing three games, played tough in all of them. Then the Lady Eagles returned and had Pearl River beat, only to have the Pirates score two runs with two outs in the seventh.

     Eastchester is young and with McDonough slinging, the Lady Eagles will be a top team again next season.

     Note to Erin – I would like to nominate Jamie Lorenzo for the shortstop position on the Journal News all-star softball team. Plain and simple, Lorenzo can play the game. She is one of the best shortstops I’ve seen in the past few years. She ranks right up there with former Brewster greats Jamie Neuner and Kristin Gallipani.

           

Wow ok so I went 4 for 5 in predictions.. getting Yorktown, Hen Hud, Dobbs, Westlake and Tappan Zee but phew missing, White Plains-New Rochelle. What an amazing game that sounds like – 9 innings?. Congratulations on a great game for both teams.
Dannie Szabo had the big hit that scored herself and Sandra Mastrangelo in the ninth. Jillian Schonberg pitched a three-hitter with 11 strikeouts. What an amazing year she had as the most dominant pitcher in the section, finishing with a tiny .421 ERA and 228 strikeouts.
I’ve said it all year, Yorktown’s offense is just amazing. Olivia Calcagnini hit two HRs, Kasey O’Connor was 4 for 4 and both O’Connor and Reilly-Boccia also homered.
Hen Hud-Lakeland was a great game with the Hornets mounting a rally in the top of the seventh, scoring two runs on Christina Scala’s two-run double to close to 4-3. Nicole Tamburri then stranded her on second in a well-pitched game by both her and Scala.
All four of the Sailors’ runs were unearned and Jackie Gallagher had the big hit, a two-run double. Two other runs scored on an error when Jill Gallagher bunted.
Westlake returns to the Class B section final for the second year in a row. Samantha Corrado pitched seven shutout innings for the Wildcats.
Jacqueline Crews pitched a good game for Dobbs Ferry with eight strikeouts and just one walk.
Phew, what a day it was.
I am off tomorrow to MA for my five-year college reunion but I’ll be back Saturday and at North Rockland in plenty of time for the C final at 2! I will be covering the C and AA game and Tony is covering the B and A games.

And my two cents is that what the Clarkstown North seniors did, in my opinion, was very disappointing but they – and everyone involved with the team – know who they are. Their names do not need to be on our blog. Like I said in a post, when I was a senior at Pville we played the section semifinal the day of the prom (and won) – the game was at the usual 415 and I was late but I made it to the prom about an hour after it started. The other senior on the team was our No. 1 pitcher, and she pitched the whole game and even made it to the prom before I did! And like Tony and I mentioned before, while we love having debates on our blog, we are not trying to bury mistakes in anyone’s faces, especially high school athletes, so please leave their names out. We can discuss the situation – and it is a situation not isolated to North in that proms and games affect lots of teams each year. We welcome everyone’s opinions.

But Tony used a good example, if say, an error decides the winner in a key game or an error leads to it, as reporters we are obligated to report what happened and who committed the error. But while we have to tell what happened, we do it in a way as not to shame the kid who did it but mention how it happened and move on, not dwell on it. We are not trying to embarrass any kids (we would never do that), it is just reporting facts. However, in this case, there is no need to mention the kids’ names. We can say starters were missing but there is no need to say why.

See everyone on Saturday! It’s sad to think there is just a week left of hs softball. I hope lots of our area players will be trying out for Empire State Games. I’m writing the softball preview for it so anyone who makes the team definitely let me know

Class AA: No. 1 Yorktown 10, No. 5 Clarkstown North 1 No. 6 White Plains 2, No. 2 New Rochelle 0, 9 innings Championship: No. 6 White Plains vs. No. 1 Yorktown, 5:30 p.m. at North Rockland Class A: No. 1 Hen Hud 4, No. 5 Lakeland 3 No. 7 Tappan Zee 7, No. 3 Eastchester 2 Championship: No. 7 Tappan Zee vs. No. 1 Hen Hud, 2:30 p.m. at North Rockland Class B: No. 1 Westlake 5, No. 4 Valhalla 0 Championship: No. 3 Albertus Magnus vs. No. 1 Westlake, 5 p.m. Class C: No. 2 Dobbs Ferry 6, No. 3 Blind Brook 2 Championship: No. 4 Haldane vs. No. 2 Dobbs Ferry, 2 p.m.

Sorry everyone this is a little late but my computer was not loading the blog earlier…grr. Anyway, I read Bruce’s post that there might be four seniors missing from the Clarkstown North-Yorktown game. The game is due to start in a few minutes so I guess we will all find out shortly!

On that note, I’m taking No. 1 Yorktown over No. 5 Clarkstown North. The Cornhuskers did not get the respect of state rankings this year but do not doubt their talent. Especially if North is down four players (are they starters?), I give the edge to Ytown and their monstrous lineup. Will they pitch to Reilly-Boccia? She has hit some monstrous home runs there this year (and everywhere else!)

No. 2 New Rochelle vs. No. 6 White Plains.  The Tigers have a great young team and their defense was just sensational against John Jay and all season. I’m sure it will be tight again but I’m giving the edge here to Jillian Schonberg’s dominance. I could be wrong but if New Ro wins, it could be the first time they’ve ever appeared in  a section final game. I know they have never won a section title but does anyone know if they ever played in one? White Plains played in their first-ever section final last season.

Class A

No. 5 Lakeland at No. 1 Hen Hud. I will be at this game so maybe I better be careful! But I’m going with the Sailors. The teams have played two intense 1-0 games (both won by Hen Hud). Nicole Tamburri and Christina Scala have done great jobs on the mound shutting down the opposing team’s offenses. But I’m giving the edge to Hen Hud’s offense that has come up big all year and remember last game they played without Jill Gallagher, an integral part of the team to say the least.

No. 7 Tappan Zee at No. 3 Eastchester. The Eagles had an epic battle with Pelham (a great  game played by the Pelicans as well), how tired are they from that ten inning game? Freshman Noelle McDonough has pitched very well but not faced any hitter as dangerous as Julie Pacino so far in sectionals. I don’t know who will start for either team but Tayla Gardner was just amazing against Pearl River I heard and Michelle Wedemeier has also had a great year. It’s been a great year for Eastchester and their defense and lineup with Jaime Lorenzo in the middle has been solid but I see the Dutchies moving on to defend their title.

Class B

No. 4 Valhalla at No. 1 Westlake. The Wildcats were here last year before falling in the championship game to North Salem. I’m picking them agian here based on their experience and I think it’s a spot they’re thrilled to be in especially after losing Brittney Stockert. Samantha Corrado and Vicky Tenzyk have made a great battery.  But I think it should be close, Valhalla has had a great season and don’t forget their comeback against Putnam Valley the other day!

Class C

No. 3 Blind Brook at No. 2 Dobbs Ferry. I did not see Dobbs play this year and do not know as much about them as I do about Blind Brook but I heard they had a good offense and much of the team has been playing together since JV.  Without Alana Burns for Blind Brook (the defending Class C champion), I’ll give the edge to the Eagles.

Let’s see how I do today.. I was 0 for 2 yesterday.

     If anyone deserves credit for a job well done, it is Pleasantville softball coach Gina Perino and her girls. I’ve known Gina a long time and all she does is produce excellent softball players and winning teams.

     Each season girls make the jump from modified to varsity, because Pleasantville does not have a Junior Varsity team. And each season all Perino, and assistant coach and former Pleasantville standout windmiller Deb Fleming, do is have Pleasantville prepared. The Panthers then proceed to win anywhere from 14-18 games, qualify for sectionals and make it to the semis.

     This season is a prime example of Perino’s coaching genius as the Panthers went 18-6, earned a second seed in Class B and advanced to the semis with just two seniors – Alyssa Cecchetelli and Kacie Schulman.

     This season, the spunky, energetic Perino had to replace standout catcher Courtney Christie, Iona College’s starting shortstop this past season, and she found a gem in sophomore Chelsea Brooks, who is also an excellent lead-off hitter.  

     The animated Perino (who you can tell is Italian because the hands are always moving when she is talking)  started two freshmen in shortstop Karen Morales and right fielder Leanna Colon, and sophomore left fielder Melissa Fanelli, who displayed a strong, accurate arm in today’s loss to Albertus Magnus. Remember these four names – Brooks, Morales, Colon and Fanelli. You will be hearing those names often in the next few years.

     Following a long, emotional post-game meeting, Perino thanked her team for a great season. She commented that this was one of her favorite teams of all time because of the tremendous team chemistry, comraderie and a never-say-die attitude, which resulted in what Perino said was about six wins in their final at-bat. She also said she enjoyed this season so much because of this fine group of girls.

     With this promising group returning next year, along with the juniors and the next group of modified players looking to play for Perino, keep an eye on the Panthers in 2008.

    

     Albertus Magnus junior windmiller Erin Flaherty tossed a two-hitter with six strikeouts to give the third-seeded Falcons a 2-0 win over second-seeded Pleasantville.

     Albertus Magnus will play the winner of No. 4 Valhalla-No. 1 Westlake on Saturday, 5 p.m. in the Class B title game at North Rockland High School.

     Flaherty allowed a lead-off single to Chelsea Brooks in the first inning then retired 16 consecutive batters. Melissa Fanelli halted this with a one-out double in the sixth inning. Right fielder Maura Powers made a great attempt at the sinking line drive that just eluded her glove at her cleat tops.

     Albertus Magnus played an excellent, error-free game. Quite a difference from the five errors the Falcons committed Tuesday in its 5-4 win over Rye Neck. The Falcons were cleary focused even though it was prom night for the seniors.

     Albertus Magnus scored a pair of first-inning runs and Flaherty took it from there. Pleasantville coach Gina Perino credited Flaherty for having excellent location and keeping the ball down nicely.

I will update this later but just wanted to let everyone know that Haldane defeated North Salem, 3-0. Chelsea Lisikatos pitched a one-hitter for the Blue Devils, taking a no-hitter into the seventh inning before Ashley Clark hit a double.
Haldane scored all three runs in the sixth inning on singles from Cassie Barcavage and Jen Lombardo.

Just wanted to let everyone know that the Class C semi between Blind Brook and Dobbs Ferry will be tomorrow at Dobbs at 4:30 p.m., not today.

Okay so I think I did pretty well in the first round with predictions, I only missed one (North-JJEF) and two I didnt give an answer to (Lakeland-Brewster and PR-TZ).

The Class C teams get into action tomorrow with No. 4 Haldane visiting No. 1 North Salem and No. 3 Blind Brook visiting No. 2 Dobbs Ferry.
Haldane made it to the Class C section final last year; North Salem is the defending Class B section champion and moved back down to C this year. Haldane has a very good young pitcher in Chelsea Lisikatos but I’m giving the edge to North Salem. The Tigers have won three straight section titles and feel strongly about their tradition. Jacky Koch has been great taking over for Maura Bruen this year and Ashley Clark has just been smashing everything at the plate.
Blind Brook is the defending champion in Class C but are without ace Alana Burns, who broke her wrist a few weeks ago. I think it will difficult for the Trojans without her… it’s a tough call though because I have not seen Dobbs Ferry play this year, but they are 15-4. If Burns was healthy I’d say Blind Brook… hmm I’m not sure what I’m saying yet.

In Class B, No. 2 Pleasantville and No. 3 Albertus Magnus are playing their semifinal tomorrow at Pleasantville. Magnus beat the Panthers 3-1 earlier in the season so I’d expect another close game. The Panthers are a very young team but pitcher Alyssa Cecchetelli is a veteran. I’ll say Pleasantville in a tight game.

We will be staffing all three games.

Thursday’s predictions to come tomorrow!!

There with an overflow crowd of Tappan Zee and Pearl River fans, as well as a Nanuet contingent of players, and everyone was treated to an excellent game between two outstanding teams. It was a shame one team had to be eliminated. Tappan Zee’s Tayla Gardner and Pearl River’s Melissa Tarantino both pitched excellent games. However, it was Gardner, the freshman, who stood out with a two-hitter and six strikeouts. Tappan Zee took a 1-0 lead with two outs in the third inning. Brittni Alexander created this with her speed with a two-out single and immediate swip of second base. With Pearl River third baseman Carolyn Lundemo playing in, Alexander took off, stole third and scored on the an error on the play. It was two of four Alexander stolen bases. Alexander went 3 for 4 on the day. TZ second baseman Tricia Fairclough kept the game scoreless with an outstanding defensive play to conclude the second inning. With Kaitlin Dinet on second, Fairclough ranged far to her right and back-handed a Noreen McMahon groundball that was targeted for the outfield. Fairclough snared it, set herself and threw McMahon out to end the inning. Tappan Zee doubled its lead to 2-0 in the fifth when with two outs, Julie Pacino dropped a single into left field, scoring Alexander, who had singled and moved to second on a force out. Gardner kept Pearl River hitless through five before Victoria Scarinci opened the sixth with a double. Scarinci would move no further as Gardner struck out the next three batters. Pearl River scored its run in the seventh with Tarantino coming in on a force out. Congratulations to Pearl River on another great season and congratulations to Pearl River senior and recent Rockland Journal News scholar-athlete of the week Melissa Tarantino on an outstanding four-year varsity career. In other Rockland action, Clarkstown North eliminated John Jay-East Fishkill, 2-1 with two runs in the top of the seventh inning of the Class AA quarterfinal. Audrey Bampoe scored the winning run on an error. Earlier in the inning, Megan Weaver brought Lauren DiBarba home with a bunt single. C. North windmiller Alix Gebhardt tossed a three-hitter and struck out eight. Clarkstown North will play at No. 1 Yorktown on Thursday. Third-seeded Albertus Magnus overcame five errors to defeat sixth-seeded Rye Neck, 5-4 in a Class B quarterfinal. The Falcons scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to earn the win. Albertus Magnus will play at No. 2 Pleasantville Wednesday, 4:30 p.m., instead of Thursday because Magnus has its prom on Thursday. Second-seeded New Rochelle eliminated seventh-seeded North Rockland, 4-2. Allison Kopf and Heather Hansen had RBI for North Rockland. Samantha Welsh allowed two earned runs and sruck out six in defeat. New Rochelle’s Jillian Schonberg allowed three hits and struck out seven.