Softball season has officially begun. Check that, we have to wait an extra day because Mother Nature refused to cooperate today. The Harrison-North Rockland and Westlake-Rye games were both washed out. I would have liked to have seen the Harrison-North Rockland game. I’m sure that will be a real good game when it is played.

Let’s take a look at the top games the remainder of the week:

Wednesday:

Albertus Magnus at Westlake (4:30 p.m.) - What a great game to open the season for the respective teams. As you may remember, last June, Erin Flaherty and Albertus tossed a two-hitter and struck out six in a 5-1 victory over Westlake in the Section 1 Class B championship game. Westlake will have to contend with Flaherty again.

Pearl River at Briarcliff (4:30 p.m.) - The Pirates are loaded with big guns, beginning with Jackie Bruno, Carolyn Lundemo and Kaitlin, and are joined by Kelly McMorrow and Lauren Schule. Katie Scrima and Dinet step into the circle this season, attempting to replace four-year standout, Melissa Tarantino. Briarcliff is coming off state and federation basketball titles, led by Don Hamlin, who is also the softball coach. Hamlin led Briarcliff to a softball title in 2001.

Nyack at Scarsdale (4:30 p.m.) - Nyack and Scarsdale are teams on the rise this season. Nyack will miss centerfielder Courtney Lydecker and pitcher Christina Perillo, but Melissa Bacalan, Brittany Verrino and Jessica Gilpin are back. Scarsdale is led by the tag-two duo of Kaitlin Silkowitz and Chelsea Lobue.

Thursday:

Scarsdale at Ursuline, (4:30 p.m.) - Ursuline went 2-2 last week in a Virginia tournament. The Koalas will be tested right out of the Section 1 gate with Scarsdale.

Friday:

New Rochelle at Harrison (4:30 p.m.) - The post Jillian Schonberg era begins at New Rochelle. Not only will the Huguenots miss the fireballing Schonberg, they will also miss catcher Samantha Bock. New Rochelle has just one senior — Ashley DiZenzo — the new catcher and a host of underclassmen, including veteran third baseman Rachel Galluzzo. On the other hand, Harrison coach Dean Marino returns practically the entire team, led by senior rightfielder Tricia Forrest and centerfielder Natasha Stone. Harrison is set in the circle with the sophomore tandem of Breanne Arlotta and Ashley Marino, who shared the circle last year.

White Plains at Clarkstown North (4:15 p.m.) - The Tigers open the season primed for a return trip to sectionals. Led by seniors Sandra Mastrangelo and Jackie Flooks, the Tigers will be strong again. Freshman Lauren Sputo is back windmilling, after a 15-win 2007 season. Danielle Trainor is the new Clarkstown North coach and she will turn to senior Jordan Kapnick to lead the Rams.

North Rockland at Tappan Zee (4:30 p.m.) - In Samantha Welsh, North Rockland has one of Rockland County’s top pitchers. The Red Raiders will miss steady shortstop Jazmin Rivera and steady first baseman Allison Kopf, who graduated, but North Rockland has junior Amanda Babcock moving from second to short. This will be the debut of long-time assistant and now coach, Michelle Shaw. Well, I shouldn’t say long-time assistant. Coach Shaw is a youngster who can still pass for one of the players. Tappan Zee begins life without Julie Pacino. The 2007 Rockland Journal News softball player of the year graduated and is at UCLA. Pacino will be missed, but Tappan Zee returns senior centerfielder Brittni Alexander, Rockland County’s finest all-around player. Alexander can hit, steal, cover plenty of ground, and has an excellent arm. And don’t forget sophomore windmiller Tayla Gardner. All Gardner did was emerge late last season in the circle and pitch Tappan Zee to the sectional final.

Saturday:

The Mamaroneck and Eastchester tournaments

Tournament director Bill Shaw sent me an email concerning the prestigious Morabito Tournament, May 18-19 in Conklin, N.Y.

Defending Morabito Tournament champion Tappan Zee returns to defend its title, led by standout centerfielder Brittni Alexander, Tayla Gardner, Kayla Meyer and Theresa Pagnani.
Yorktown, the defending Section 1 Class AA Champions, will return, highlighted by the thunder-hitting tandem of Cassie Reilly-Boccia and Kasey O’Connor. Brewster, with Megan Hill and Kelly Bentson leading the way, are part of the field along with John Jay-East Fishkill.

Here is the link to find out more about the tournament:

www.leaguelineup.com/morabito

Taking a line from rapper Jay-Z. Thanks to the clever intro from Tony, I’m Debbie Schechter and I’m taking over the Rockland softball beat; which can be looked at as either fortunate or unfortunate for the coaches.

As Tony already mentioned (which was a great introduction by the way), I did play for Ramapo when I was in high school; graduated in the class of 2000 and I could take a mean rise ball back up the box. However, without being in the cage, can’t say for sure that I can do it now. But I’m pretty sure that I can still make a throw from right field to home on at most two bounces without a cut depending on where I am.

Anyway, I’m really looking forward to covering the Rockland teams and seeing how much talent there is. After having already talked with some the coaches, I’m getting really excited for the start of the season.

I’m looking forward to chatting with all of you this year.

And in my parting words all I have to say is get ready to “Dirt in the Skirt”

I will be driving home from Rochester and the state wrestling championships Monday and I admit, I will be bummed out. I love wrestling and each year I dred the season’s conclusion.

However, with one season finishing, the spring season, specifically softball, opens practice.

Yes, let the windmilling begin. Wow, it just seemed like yesterday that Erin and I were at North Rockland covering the sectional finals, which were interrupted by a severe thunderstorm.

Let’s recap the 2007 season as Yorktown (Class AA), Hen Hud (Class A), Albertus Magnus (Class B) and Dobbs Ferry (Class C) were the respective Section 1 champions, while Hen Hud was Section 1’s state final four representative.

Section 1 lost some phenomenal players to graduation, highlighted by Tappan Zee’s Julie Pacino, New Rochelle’s Jillian Schonberg, Pearl River’s Melissa Tarantino and Hen Hud’s Jillian Gallagher, to name a few.

Section 1 is not devoid of returning talent, though.

Here is a list of a few impact players back in ‘08:

Brittni Alexander, Tappan Zee: The best all-around player in Rockland County, Alexander is especially disruptive on the basepathes with her blazing speed. (‘07 Section 1-leading 41 thefts.)

Cassie Reilly-Boccia and Kasey O’Connor, Yorktown: Opposing windmillers will have their hands full with this power-hitting duo.

Nicole Tamburri, Hen Hud: One of Section 1’s finest windmillers, Tamburri is effective mixing her pitches.

Sandra Mastrangelo, White Plains: The senior started at catcher as an eighth-grader. An outstanding defensive catcher, Mastrangelo also swings the aluminum with authority.

Jackie Bruno, Pearl River: This hard-hitting senior will step up and take the leadership role. Bruno can do it with her bat and glove.

Gabby Torzilli, John Jay: The Syracuse-bound senior windmiller is a strikeout machine.

Kirby Wright, Hen Hud: Baserunners beware attempting to run on Wright, who also strikes fear into opponents with her bat.

Erin Flaherty, Albertus Magnus: The senior, who pitched Albertus to the Class B title last year, will do it windmilling and with her bat.

Tayla Gardner, Tappan Zee: The sophomore pitched Tappan Zee to the sectional final. When she is not pitching, Gardner is a slick-fielding shortstop.

Section 1 fans, these are just a few of the impact players who will treat us to another fine softball season. I’m looking forward to it and I’m sure all of you are also.

I am sorry to say that Erin left last fall and is working for the USTA. She will definitely be missed, but she has promised me she will continue following Section 1 softball.

Unfortunately for the Westchester and Putnam coaches, and fortunately for the Rockland coaches, I will be crossing the Hudson and covering the Westchester/Putnam softball beat. Former Ramapo gold-glove, hard-hitting first baseman Debbie Schecter will take the Rockland beat. Debbie can still take the riseball to the opposite field with power, and will field anything thrown in her vicinity.

I am also sorry to say that the ‘Coin Flip’ will return this season when I think games are too close to call. I know I made one player’s older sister angry last year with my choice after a coin toss. Whenever I cover that team this year I will have to wear a hat, hairpiece and sunglasses so I won’t be recognized.