Time to PLAY BALL!
- March
- 31
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














