OK… I’m going to take a page from my baseball counterparts and break this tournament down a little bit more than I did in the paper as well as on VC Chat.

But instead of the sports metaphors; I’m going to take music lyrics. So ladies, listen to Troy Bolton… It’s time to turn it up GAME ON!

Class AA
Best opening round game: No. 9 Scarsdale at No. 8 Clarkstown North: I know I broke this game down yesterday but like I said… This game will be the most exciting game with a very strong pitchers dual between Kristen Martini (CN) and Nicole Lee (Sc). Both teams have very good offenses. What this game will come down to is which team’s defense will make the mistake.
Most welcomed return: Katherine Smayda, White Plains: The senior has never missed a game due to illness in four years but has been out recently due to a fever. She was cleared to play as of yesterday. Coach Ted O’Donnell said of Smayda “She’s as tough a player as I have ever coached.” Her bat will be a welcomed addition when the No. 4 Tigers host No. 13 Horace Greeley.
Cinderella: Yorktown: It’s hard to say that the reigning champs can be the Cinderella story but like our current president yes they can. Tori Matzura and Erica Wenzel were both members of last year’s championship team and bring a lot of experience.
Most intriguing potential quarterfinal games: The winner of No. 8/No. 9 vs. No. 1 North Rockland and the winner of No. 10/No. 7 vs. No. 2 Arlington: I fully expect both North Rockland and Arlington to win their opening round games. So that quarterfinal game for the Admirals should be interesting because if the ‘Huskers win, it will set up a re-match of last year’s final. In the other, if Scarsdale wins, the Raiders were the only team in this year to beat North Rockland. If Clarkstown North wins, then it will make the third time this season that the top two teams from league I-B meet and both games were close. The Rams lost both games by a combined four runs.
The final: Arlington vs. North Rockland: These were the two top teams in the Class and both are very dominant.
Who could play spoiler? Ursuline and White Plains: The Koalas have strong pitching behind Taylor Pirone and the Tigers have the experience as well as a dominant pitcher in Lauren Sputo.
Winner: North Rockland: Pitching is the name of the game and the Red Raiders have that in spades with Sami Welsh and Krystn Benson. Their lineup is real balanced. Plus, the Red Raiders defeated the Admirals at the beginning of the season.

Class A
Best opening round game: No. 10 Yonkers at No. 7 Eastchester: This game, like the game in Class AA, boils down to defense. Both teams have solid pitching and good lineups. The defense will tell the story. Whether it is Janine Lalli or Noelle McDonough facing Mariana Monaco, you guys should be in for a real treat.
Most welcomed return, Shanna Brown, Hen Hud: I know that Brown’s been back since about mid April but her presence in the Sailors has made a huge difference. She’s offered protection for Fran Kiernan in the middle of that order and her experience has been huge to the younger Sailors.
Cinderella: Brewster: Again, it’s hard to call a five seed a Cinderella team but with the way Class A is stacked; they could be. That Morabito tournament was huge for the Bears because not only did they play some really talented teams; it also battle tested them. Their third game of the tournament was a 10 inning thriller equipped with the international tie breaker. This Bears team maybe young but have a lot of experience. They are the class A runner up from last year.
Most intriguing potential quarterfinal games: The winner of No. 10/No. 7 at No. 2 Pearl River; the winner of No. 14 Rye/No. 3 Lakeland vs. the winner of No. 6 Tappan Zee/No. 11 Lourdes: If Eastchester wins their opening round game, they take on a Pirate team who they face in the beginning of May and the Pirates won the game in extra innings. Katie O’Flynn has emerged as a stud arm in the circle this season. Krystina Poloni’s bat has still been as hot as ever. In the other game; if the stars are aligned, it would be very interesting to see a matchup between Lakeland and Tappan Zee. I wouldn’t mind seeing a pitcher’s dual between Brittany Lischinsky and Tayla Gardner.
The final: Harrison vs. Pearl River: I know this seems obvious but these two are the number 1 and 2 seeds for a reason. It’s no secret that Pearl River has the best hitter in Rockland County, maybe even the section, in Poloni as well as four top-notched pitchers. But they got solid contributions all season from other sources like Jamie Degennaro, Deirdre Cokeley, amd Collette Mahoney. Harrison’s batting is pretty potent as well. Ashley Marino, Sam Lagana and Bre Scapperotti have been swinging hot sticks lately. Marino also has been a dominant arm in the circle. It would be one heck of a ball game.
Who could play spoiler?: With Class A being as stacked as it is, Lakeland can, Brewster, Pelham, Tappan Zee, and even Eastchester. All of these teams are talented up and down the roster. Class A will be fun to watch during the tournament.
Winner; Pearl River: They are the reigning Class A champions and the reigning regional champs. Up and down the roster, these girls have the experience and most of them were on that team from a year ago.

Class B
Best opening round game, No. 10 Westlake at No. 7 Hastings (I think): Casi Corrado has been a solid bat for the Wildcats all year long but they face a good pitcher in Lena Trager. The Wildcats are going to have to be on point in all facets of the game.
Most welcomed return, Chelsea Brooks, Pleasantville: Just like Shanna Brown of Hen Hud, Brooks has been back in the lineup for a while but her presence has been such a help to that lineup. Her bat should help the No. 8 Panthers beat Pawling.
Most intriguing quarterfinal game, No. 5 Kennedy at No. 4 Albertus Magnus: I went on about this game agnosium on VC Chat but for those of you who missed it…. these two teams saw each other on April 15 and Devon DiSiena was called for three illegal pitches. It’ll be a very evenly matched game. The Falcons are the two-time Class B champs and have a lot of veteran experience.
The final: No. 3 Rye Neck vs. No. 1 Putnam Valley: Class B is kind of open ended because the only team that I’m pretty set in stone with is Putnam Valley. They, like North Rockland, have been dominant top to bottom. But in all honesty, I do believe that behind Jess Calvini and Amy Carelli that Rye Neck can make the final.
Who could play spoiler? The Falcons and/or No. 2 Dobbs Ferry: You can never count out the two-time Class B champs and the Eagles have had a solid season.
The winner, Putnam Valley: The Tigers have been so dominant all season long led by the bat of Jackie Gallagher, who played on the Hen Hud team that was so dominant in the playoffs a couple of years ago.

Class C
The final, the winner of No. 3 North Salem/No. 2 Valhalla vs. No. 1 Haldane: Both teams have had good years but it’s hard to go against North Salem in that semifinal behind the bat of Mariah Law. But Haldane still has the arm of Chelsea Lisikatos.
Winner, Haldane: Many of the Blue Devils were on last year’s team who won it a year ago including Jade Lyons.