All right softball peeps, I know that you’ve been waiting on baited breath for my predictions for the Class AA, A, and B final fours as well as the Class C finals so.. wait no more folks; here’s my take on how I think today’s games will play out:
Class AA semifinals
No. 5 Carmel at No. 1 John Jay-East Fishkill: The Lady Patriots are on a really historical run here with this long win streak. Amanda Gisonni has been pitching really really well. Nicole DeCosta is a really good catcher. I think Tuesday’s game against Arlington was the scare that the Lady Patriots would get in the tournament. Carmel is a good team. They wouldn’t have gotten to the semifinal round if they weren’t. Jasmine Ennabe is a good pitcher and the Rams have good sticks but I think John Jay-East Fishkill will be too much for the Rams and the Patriots will get to Heroes field to have a chance to defend their title. Prediction: John Jay-East Fishkill 6, Carmel 3
No. 3 Clarkstown South at No. 2 Ketcham: This game really really intrigues me and as I said, Dan DeFrancesco will be there live. There’s no denying what Ketcham has done this entire season. Coach Melissa Zehr and her team led by pitcher Casey Herzog Andrea Bombace, Taylor Travis, and Victoria Pippa have done really well. HOWEVER, even though they did shut out Horace Greeley, they’re facing a completely different animal in Clarkstown South. Both teams were at the Morabito tournament and were tested but as I said before, when you’re a team from Rockland County and play a county schedule where you see Tappan Zee and Pearl River at least once, you’re going to gain a lot from that. The Vikings were the only team to hand Pearl River a loss in the regular season. Brittany Montana and Sam McDonald — whichever starts for coach Maura Heebink — need to be able to keep Ketcham at bay offensively and the Vikings need to have a day if they want to make the finals. Briana Keaveney, Carly Feuer need to step up and the seniors: Montana, McDonald, Allie Tobias, and Cassie Fishkin (just to name a few) need to have a day offensively as well. If you were a fly on the wall in my office, I’ve always said that if there’s one team that could make the final against the likes of John Jay-East Fishkill, it’s Clarkstown South and today, I think I’ll be proven correct. Prediction: Clarkstown South 5, Ketcham 4
Class A semifinals
No. 8 Beacon at No. 4 Tappan Zee: Here we go, Beacon is scrappy. I’ll give them that. Kristen Yanneralla’s game winning hit against Pearl River in the 10th inning proved that point and sent shock waves through out Class A. It was a hell of a win by the Bulldogs. The question is, can Beacon come down to Rockland County and do it again? That’s the question that needs to be answered. The Dutchies have been playing incredibly well all season long. This is a deep, veteran team led by Cassi Coyle and Regina Argenzio. Both of which have seen it all. Paulina Gutkin has pitched brilliantly in this tournament with the game against Harrison in the quarters as no exception. She did have a few more walks then she would’ve like but she really did settle into a nice groove. They got a lot of contributions from other sources in the win against Harrison so in this game, I really think that their stars, including Dee Sinanaj are going to need to have a big game today. They all heard about what happened to their league mates in Pearl River and I’m sure that coach Gene Kousoulas is preaching to them about not settling when it comes to the offense. If the Dutchies can get any kind of an offensive output like they did on Tuesday, I really think that Dutchies will get back to the finals for the first time since 2007. Prediction: Tappan Zee 6, Beacon 4
No. 7 Brewster at No. 3 Ursuline: I have to hand it to the Bears. that was a hell of a win upending the number two seeded Pelicans in the tournament. Shannon Sommer, Alycia Feeney, Christina Graff, Marisa Delzio and company have competed in every game they’ve played in and played two really good games in this tournament against Hen Hud and Pelham. One thing I like about this match up is that these two teams were playing in Class AA just last year. My colleague Chris Perez will be at this game live. For the Bears, my big question is kind of like the question for Beacon, can the Bears come down to southern Westchester and upend another top seed? Part of me says yes, and that’s because they’ve got a pretty good offense. They’re coming down to Ursuline to a Koalas team that is also scrappy. What that win against Eastchester showed is that the Koalas can play a game in a slug fest if they have too. Ursuline is just as scrappy as well. I think one thing that is motivating the veterans on the Koalas in Brittany Mitchell, Jamie Carfora, and Mary McCabe is that they got to the finals last year and they were shut out 8-0 to John Jay-East Fishkill. If the Bears can get to Ursuline’s young pitching, then I think the Bears will advance. I just have this feeling that the Koalas, will hold off the Bears and make the finals. Prediction: Ursuline 6, Brewster 5 (Ursuline winning in the bottom of the seventh)
Class B semifinals
No. 4 Dobbs Ferry at No. 1 Rye Neck: This is a rematch of the 2010 Class B finals where Dobbs Ferry, spanning two days, won the title and James Carlucci will be out there live. The Eagles are a really good team. Despite what you may think of coach Neil Abbatiello, he’s a really good coach and gets the most out of his players. Andrea Abbatiello is really dynamic pitcher and an offensive presence. But they have a really good top of the lineup in Bronwyn Bingham and Alison Abbatiello. They have another really good pitcher in Alex Cialini. The top of the order will produce for the Eagles, now the question is, can the young bottom of the order produce? Jess Calvini is a top notch pitcher and hitter. She’s the biggest key of them all for the Panthers. They’ve got a lot of veterans in that line up in Marissa Bella, Nickole Morgan, Nicole Pineda, Julia Bilotta, Kirsten Tammucci, and Lauren Bradley. This game will be closer than you think (that means you Hallie). Calvini will be power the team through but I do think that the Eagles will make a game of this. Prediction: Rye Neck 5, Dobbs Ferry 4
No. 6 Kennedy at No. 2 Valhalla: I like what the Gaels have done in this tournament. They have a lot of really good bats in this line up in Ailish Hogan, Rachel Entiwistle, Molly Feeney, Kaela Fields, and Patrice Grande. So do Valhalla in Madeline DeMilio, Brandi Coon, Jade Fumarelli, and Alyssa Coluntano. My biggest question in this game for both of these teams is after scoring a combined 30 runs in the quarterfinals, will their bats be awake in this game? I’m not so sure. Don’t get me wrong, I think both teams will score runs but not at the same clip as they did on Tuesday. I think the difference in this game could be pitching and as young as she is, I’m giving the edge to Sydni Holtz and Valhalla for sheer fact that she’s playing on her home field. Prediction: Valhalla 6, Kennedy 4
Class C final
No. 3 Haldane at No. 1 Solomon Schechter: Haldane has not been the same Blue Devil team that they were in years past. And that’s to be expected, but as the cliche goes, “It’s not about where you start, but where you finish,” and the Blue Devils have taken that to heart. They’ve played well in the latter half of the season. They also handled their business against a pretty good Tuckahoe team. I give a lot of credit to coach Samantha Yodowitz and the Lions for the season that they’ve had. It’s been brilliant. And in her years with Suffern, Yodowitz has been in this position before but the fact is that Haldane is Haldane and they’re the reigning Class C Champions. The Blue Devils will give the Lions all they can handle and will get back into the state tournament. Prediction: Haldane 9, Solomon Schechter 4
Feel free to discuss
27 Comments
“This game will be closer than you think (that means you Hallie).” – DEBBIE – We will see, We will see – LOL : ) [PS – Being tied going into today’s semi finals, I see that we have picked the same teams today. Oh well, I guess we can try to break the tie on Saturday]
i hope Haldane puts 32 on Schecter….. but the coach is too classy to do that.
I think too much has been put on Ahecter. They played the game professionally. Once the mercy was secure they were not trying to pile it on, but the other team still has to make outs at some point. If you want to avoid this dump the 15/5 rule and use the ASA graded rule (or the college one).
If you look at the box score the majority of runs Schechter scored were on walks. Palisades Prep shouldn’t have entered the tournament.
Hey Debbie You don’t even know who the pitcher is for Kennedy do you? Get you facts then make you prediction. GO KENNEDY!!!!!!!
Brewster 7 Ursuline 2
RC Ketcham 8 Clarkstown South 0
Haldane 16, Solomon Schechter 1
1-2 so far in the semi-final round so far. YUK
PS – Guess Haldane threw a bit of payback game (on behalf of Palisades Prep) on Solomon Schechter (As I said, “Once Goes Around, Comes Around”)
JJEF 1 Carmel 0
Beacon 9 Tappen Zee 6
Valhalla 6, Kennedy 3
So for Saturday, we have, so far a Northern Westcheser/Dutchess County Flavor for the Class AA and A Finals, with a Central Westchester Final for Class B:
Class AA:
John Jay (East Fishkill) vs. RC Ketcham [For the 3rd Time This Season]
Class A:
Beacon vs. Brewster
Class B:
Valhalla vs. ?
Rye Neck 6, Dobbs Ferry 0 [ TOLD YOU SO, DEBBIE !!!!!!!!!!! – LOL : ) ]
How ‘bout them BEARS!!
GO BREWSTER!!! Always doubted on the blog and always delivering!! Let’s go Bears!
With all due respect, Debbie, I think that the predictions on this blog are quite off base. It is no secret whatsoever that Rockland County and southern Westchester are heavily covered, and what seems to be favored on Lohud. Now that is all well and fine, it is not about press coverage it’s about softball! But look at the finals here – AA – John Jay and Ketchum, A- Brewster and Beacon. Both Dutchess/Putnam teams with excellent feeder programs, youth ball and a plethora of travel ball players. This being said these girls have played with and against each other since they were playing little league. I find it odd in your Clarkstown South/Ketchum prediction you say being from Rockland County and playing these teams you are bound to gain something. Here it seems, is the obvious answer to that call. Had you paid more attention to any of these four teams you would see they play a deep and challenging schedule. They don’t play a “Rockland county schedule” and don’t gain from playing Pearl River. But John Jay and Ketchum face off annually in a fierce rivalry, with girls that would carry other teams spots 1 through 9. Brewster was in a tremendous league, and somehow Beacon flew under the radar. Now I understand that three of the four teams may not be in the predominantly covered area, but in order to make an informed decision just LOOK at what these four teams have accepted as a season. These teams have phenomenal athletes, while not having gained lessons from a “Dutchess county schedule” persay should be given due credit. It seems the “underdogs” by popular misconception will duke it out for section 1 in two terrific games! Just my input from the 845!! See you all Saturday! Best of Luck!!
Slapleftie
While I respect what you have to say… remember this. We cover Rockland, Westchester, and Putnam counties. We don’t cover the Dutchess teams and in all honesty, they are what I like to call an unknown entity.
I know about John Jay-East Fishkill cause I saw them last year in the Class AA final as well as at the state final four. I know about Ketcham from what my sources in the Poughkeepsie Journal tell me.
I knew absolutely nothing about Beacon going into the touranment.
When you talk about Brewster, Class A was incredibly stacked. In all honesty, I didn’t think that they would be the team going into the finals but with how close all the teams are in Class A, it’s not that surprising.
I do my research… so I am going with an information that I have. I know how good of a team Brewster is.
Brewster has an excellent shot on Saturday; but I will save my predictions for tomorrow.
And Hallie,
Since when are we judging our predictions based on scores?! !) LOL
Well hats off to Debbie and Hallie in getting the JFK v Valhalla call right. The fact is that the Valhalla coach went into that game with a plan and credit his players with executing on it with some very good bunting In the end one hit changed the game which until then and after that hit remained a great pitching matchup between 2 former team mates. With luck we will see them face off again next year
Coach Aje,
Hats off to Kennedy for a great season they had. Terrific competitors and well coached.
Lets go Bears!!! Bring it home ladies We believe
with all due respect, Debbie, you give zero coverage to upper westchester and have not since you took over four years ago. Brewster has won their leauge two years in a row (beating out terrific AA teams Carmel, Yortown, Mahopac in addition to JJ Cross River who is much improved this season as an A team) and I asked their coach who says they’ve had one game covered in two years and no return phone calls from an attempt this season. Don’t you think a strong A program like them deserves the coverage you give much weaker teams in B and even C over and over and over??? All teams deserve coverage, but let’s face it, your paper looses so many readers because of your unbalanced and sub par coverage.
Harrison, Eastchester, Pelham, Ursuline, Tappan Zee, Pearl River…dismissed. turn the record over and try some other teams. Try and learn the difference in leagues to really give credit to the players who battle tough schedules. Ketcham, JJEF, Beacon and Brewster – hats off to you all and good luck. A great representation of Section 1. Learn these players names, Debbie, and give them their fair share.
The Blog states : High School Softball in the Lower Hudson Valley !!!!!Regions
The Hudson Valley is divided into three regions: Lower, Middle and Upper. The following is a list of the counties within the Hudson Valley sorted by region15.
Lower Hudson
Westchester
Rockland
Putnam
Bergen
Mid-Hudson
Dutchess
Orange
Ulster
Upper Hudson/Capital District
Columbia
Greene
Rensselaer
Albany
Debbie – We haven’t used the actual score for our annual prediction contest. However, I was responding to your comment that my final score in the Dobbs Ferry vs. Rye Neck game was way off in comparison to your prediction. Still Luv Ya Deb and keep up the great job in the coverage. Remember, you can’t be at every game throughout the season and you have a limited budget to work with. So don’t let some of the comments get you down !!
I know what you were responding to Hallie and I was just having a little bit of fun with you. I still luv ya to Hallie.
Thank you for your support and Joe B, the same to you. I really do appreciate all the support you both have given me over the years.
Debbie, just to let you know Beacon has played 19 of it’s 23 games against teams you do cover so your excuse does’nt hold water. Maybe you could ask the losing coaches for info on what the other team did to win the game?
The Beacon vs Tappan Zee game in Lohud’s area? I guess not? No write up in the paper at all? Really? I guess Beacon vs Brewster is out of the question.
Joeb- with all due respect that is well and fair, but it is well accepted that lower Westchester and Rockland are given a lot more coverage and pull on the blog. I am saying yes it greatly affects predictions. I am certainly convinced of this being a former player, and current fan myself. But finally we’ll all get our acknowledgements tomorrow won’t we?
To put my 2 cents on this. I am sure that everyone from the Northern Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess County are very very proud that many of their local teams are being represented during tomorrow’s Sectional Championships (John Jay [East Fishkill], RC Ketcham, Beacon, and Brewster; with Haldane already capturing the Class C Championship the other day)
I am sure that the quality and brand of softball that all of these teams will show tomorrow (as well as that from both Rye Neck and Valhalla) will be outstanding and each and every girl who plays on all of these teams will give it their all and will make their respective schools and communities PROUD.
Good Luck to each of the schools playing tomorrow – PLAY HARD – HAVE FUN !!!!