Thursday, December 1, 2011

Tateum Valentine (GOLD) Verbals to Siena College!

Congratulations to Tateum Valentine (GOLD) on her Verbal to Siena College!

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Coach K being inducted into SHS Hall of Fame!

Congratulations to Kristen Conklin-Sullivan! Coach Sullivan, head coach of 14U Black, is being inducted into the Suffern High School Hall of Fame, Friday October 21, 2011, 7PM during half-time at the Suffern Football Game at Suffern Middle School.

Coach Sullivan was inducted earlier this year into the Rockland County Sports Hall of Fame as well.

Conklin-Sullivan, Suffern Class of 1986: A two-time all-county softball pitcher who had three no-hitters for the Mounties, she also was a two-time all-county selection in soccer. At St. Thomas Aquinas College she was a four-time all-CACC pitcher, and holds the program record for no-hitters with seven, including the only perfect game.

Kristen Conklin-Sullivan

Suffern High School Class of 1986

Kristen Conklin-Sullivan is the type of athlete most of us spend our lives dreaming we can be. A four-sport varsity competitor at Suffern High School, she dominated on the soccer fields, was the uncontested queen of the softball diamond, strutted her stuff up and down the basketball courts, and lettered in field hockey as a freshman. She did this all with style, grace, and an innate competitive spirit that drove her teams to championships.

For most kids, soccer begins at the age of 5 with everybody swarming around the ball. For Kristen, the first time she played the game was much later on. She was a sophomore at Suffern High School and decided to give it a try. She was quickly moved from the JV squad to varsity, and from there, she never looked back. As the center forward, she was the team high scorer in both her junior and senior years, scoring 17 goals each season, with an additional 16 assists. Her senior year, she led the team to the Conference A crown. As a two-year captain, she was chosen as the MVP, a first team All-County player, and a first team All-Section player both seasons. In 1985, she was selected as a Journal News Scholar Athlete of the Week, and deemed the Rockland County Player of the Year.

Kristen's softball career was storybook right from the get-go. She was a versatile player, tackling not only the pitcher's mound, but playing her way around the infield as well as the outfield. Her impressive pitching career for the Mounties included three 1-hitters and a no-hitter. As a four- year varsity player, she was twice named to the All-County team as well as the All-Section team. Her sophomore season, she was named the Most Improved Player, and then during her junior and senior years, she was not only the team captain but was also the undisputed MVP. .

Kristen graduated Suffern in 1986, and took her talents to St. Thomas Aquinas College on an athletic scholarship. She played four years on their Division II softball team, and stood out as an All-Star on their Conference championship team. She had an impressive career 2.29 ERA as a starting pitcher, striking out an incredible 164 batters. She pitched an inconceivable six no-hitters in her tenure. She was also a powerhouse at the plate, with a cumulative four-year slugging percentage of .458, a .333 batting average, and 79 RBI. Kristen was not only the first, but still the only player in STAC history to be named for four straight seasons to the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference first team, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics first team, and the All-Tournament first team. She was a two-year captain and two-year MVP, and to this day is the only pitcher in STAC history to throw a perfect game.

After graduating from STAC, Kristen went on to receive a master's degree in Elementary Education at Iona College. She stayed on at STAC as their assistant softball coach for two seasons before sharing duties as a co-head coach, and eventually became the head coach in 1996. She was named the CACC Coach of the Year in 1998. At the same time, she also started the women's soccer program at STAC in 1994. She coached the team for three years, initiating a program that is successfully running today.

Kristen resigned from coaching in 1998 to start a family in Suffern with her husband, Keith. They have three beautiful children, Taylor, 12, Kyle, 10, and Kasey, 9. In 2007, she returned to STAC in the role of pitching coach, determined to continue to share her talents with the next generation. She divides her time between collegiate sports and private pitching instruction for young girls ages 7 to 22. Many of her students have gone on to receive college scholarships of their own. Kristen is also the head coach of her daughter Taylor's 14-and-under Hudson Valley Hurricanes team. She is an active coach with the Suffern Little League, as well as with Ramapo ASA. She continues to play softball with the Orangetown Women's League, as well as participate in a co-ed league. She is an avid golfer, and has passed her love of athletics, as well as her talent, onto her children. Kristen has devoted her life to sports and the excitement and fulfillment that being a part of a team can give to kids with the heart and passion to succeed.

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Saturday, September 10, 2011

9/11 Never Forget

Never Forget.

09.11.2001

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Saturday, August 6, 2011

Palumbo and Guevarra (12U Black) off to LLWS!

Gabby Palumbo (12U Black) and Reese Guevarra (12U Black) are off to Portland Oregon to represent New York and the East Region in the Little League World Series! The team leaves Tuesday! Good luck girls!

Follow the action here:

http://softballworldseries.com/

and here:

http://www.littleleague.org/series/2011divisions/llsb/series.htm

Schedule:

East vs. Lombardia LL from Milano, Italy at 5PM ET (2PM PT) on August 12

East vs. Wilkes County LL from N. Carolina at 6PM ET (3PM PT) on August 13

East vs. Muntinlupa LL from Muntinlupa, Philippines at 8PM ET (5PM PT)on August 14

East vs. Willow Creek LL from Beaverton, OR at 11pm ET (8PM PT) on August 15

There are two pools. Top two in each pool advance to the semi-finals.

ESPN2 SEMI-FINALS ON AUGUST 16 EITHER AT 7PM EDT OR 930PM EDT

ESPN2 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME AT 7PM EDT ON AUGUST 18

SEMI-FINALS AND THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME CAN BE SEEN LIVE ON ESPN2 OR ESPN3.COM

Pool A

Central

Southwest

West

Latin America

Canada

Pool B

Oregon D-4

Southeast

East (NY)

EMEA (Italy)

Asia-Pacific (Philippines)

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Rockland County future Section 1 players

Rockland County future Section 1 players

Cut from Debbie Schechter's article on Rockland County future Section 1 players and travel teams in Rockland County.

Posted by: Debbie Schechter - Posted in Rockland County, Softball, Sports on Aug 02, 2011

I just want to make you aware of some really great talent coming down the pipeline to keep an eye out for in Rockland County who will be looking to keep the Section 1 tradition alive:

Starting out in the Rockland Little League, you don't have go pretty far, the New City Little League (Majors division) are in the process of preparing to travel to Portland Oregon for the Little League World Series. Many of these girls play travel ball, a lot for the Hudson Valley Hurricanes, but you can't deny the talent level. As far as pitching is concerned, I love the arms of Reese Guevarra (12U Black) ... I saw her pitch in our sponsored Tournament of Champions back in June, then twice in the state tournament. As a pitcher, she's got all the tools to be a star at the varsity level. She's got an arsenal of pitches and can change speeds with the best of them. And the sign of a good pitcher is how well you do when you get into trouble, Guevarra just bares down and gets the job done. Sound familiar? She's also their lead off hitter and the girl can fly. She's also versatile, she can play center field and second base as well.

When it comes to the Rockland based travel teams, I always recommend you keep an eye on the Hudson Valley Hurricanes. It's the home of many current and past Section 1 players including a few of the 2009 Pearl River state champions. But they also have a lot of talented kids who are either budding varsity players or ones who are currently playing varsity but you don't know a lot about.

Keep an eye for these players.

Unfortunately, I haven't gotten a chance to scout kids in Westchester so if there are teams whether it be little league or travel teams. Please use this post to do so. Any kids that I should look out for, please let me know.

See original full article here:

http://softball.lohudblogs.com/2011/08/02/rockland-county-future-section-1-players/

Monday, August 1, 2011

Hurricanes Lead Stony Point little league to softball's 10/11 state tournament

L to R: Santini, Chiorazzi, Alonso

Victoria Alonso (12U Blue) Daniella Chiorazzi ( 12U Blue) Celia Santini (12U Blue) lead the Stony Point 10/11 girls all star team back to the NYS State tournament being held by Fairport little league in Rochester N.Y. the girls first year in the Hurricane program have accomplished huge personal goals and look to complete their mission by winning the state tournament.

This is not the first time this Trio have been involved in state level tournament, last year the girls were semi finalist in the 9/10 division state tournament

held in Buffalo N.Y.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Rockland softball all-county: Pearl River's O'Flynn overcomes major roadblock, thrives

Congratulations to Hurricanes All County Athletes!

Full article:

Written by: Debbie Schechter

http://www.lohud.com/article/20110709/SPORTS02/107090326/Rockland-softball-all-county-Pearl-River-s-O-Flynn-overcomes-major-roadblock-thrives?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Sports|s

Other members of The Journal News first team include:

Pitchers

Vittoria Adams, North Rockland: Adams finished the season with a 14-4 record and a 1.14 ERA. She pitched 116 innings and struck out 131 batters. The senior was the catalyst in victories against Bethlehem, Mercy, and Pearl River.

Danielle DeStaso, Clarkstown North (GOLD): The undisputed leader of the Rams had another solid season and was named third-team all-state in Class AA. The senior had a .449 batting average with eight doubles, four home runs, and a .531 on-base percentage. In the circle, she was one of the best in Rockland County with a 1.14 ERA and 198 strikeouts.

Catcher

Jamie DeGennaro, Pearl River (18U) : DeGennaro was a huge catalyst for the Pirates in their run to another Section 1 title. She batted .432 with 29 RBI, 11 doubles, three triples, and a .719 slugging percentage . The senior was named first-team all-state in Class A and second-team in the East Region.

First base

Meghan Richards, Albertus Magnus: Richards finished the season with a .479 batting average, 29 RBI, and 10 home runs. The senior did not commit an error at first base and was named fourth-team all-state in Class B.

Second base

Melissa Place, Albertus Magnus: Place had a solid year for the Falcons and helped the team to a Class B semifinals appearance . The senior batted .472 with five home runs and 25 RBI.

Shortstop

Aferdita Sinanaj, Tappan Zee (16U): Sinanaj, a sophomore, batted .437 for the season with a team-leading 31 RBI. She had six home runs, seven triples, and five doubles.

Third base

Ruby Silverstein, Clarkstown North (18U): The sophomore helped the Rams to a berth in the Class AA sectional semifinals. She batted .306 for the season with 10 RBI.

Outfielders

Sam McDonald, Clarkstown South (GOLD): The junior played well for the resurgent Vikings and was rewarded with an all-section nod. She had 28 hits, including three doubles, a triple and two homers, with 13 RBI. Her batting average was .418.

Kristyn Neroda, Pearl River (18U): Neroda was a major catalyst for the Pirates all season long from the top of the lineup. The junior batted .410 with 28 runs scored and 19 stolen bases.

Brianna Rivera, North Rockland: Rivera's .406 average included a .621 mark with runners in scoring position. She split time in the outfield and behind the plate. The senior, who had 25 RBI, was named third-team all-state in Class AA.

Utility

Colleen Pagnani, Tappan Zee(18U): Pagnani was a major senior leader of the Dutchies and was named Class A fifth-team all-state. The catcher batted .390 with a double, triple, home run and 12 RBI. She threw out 16 of 20 base stealers.

Coach of the year

Danielle Trainor, Clarkstown North: In her third year at the helm, Trainor guided the Rams to a 15-7 record, which was second best in Rockland County. The Rams lost to eventual state champion John Jay-East Fishkill in the sectional semifinals. It was the furthest they had gone since 2006.

Second team

P: Paulina Gutkin, Fr., Tappan Zee

C: Laura Brennan, Sr., Clarkstown North (18U)

1B: Amanda Cooper, Sr., Clarkstown North

2B: Dana Kurtti, Sr., Clarkstown South

SS: Gemma Mahoney, Sr., Pearl River (18U)

3B: Becky Leone, Jr., Nyack

OF: Kathleen Baker, Sr., Suffern

OF: Cassi Coyle, Jr., Tappan Zee

OF: Laura Marinello, Fr., Nanuet

Util: Regina Argenzio, Jr., Tappan Zee

Util: Tara Condon, Jr., Albertus Magnus

Util: Taylor Corretjer, Sr., North Rockland

Honorable mention

Lindsay Cohen, Sr., Suffern (18U); Nikki Cole, Sr., East Ramapo, Danielle DiModugno (14U), Fr., Nanuet; Carly Feuer (18U) , So., Clarkstown South; Amanda Hartigan, Jr. (18U), Pearl River; Destiney Jones, Sr., North Rockland; Nicole Leote, Jr., Pearl River; Madeline List, Sr., Albertus Magnus; Brittany Montana, Jr.(18U) , Clarkstown South; Brianna Nicosia, Jr. (18U), North Rockland; Chineyre Oti, So., Clarkstown North; Erica Ronda, Jr., Clarkstown North; Julianne Skrapits, Sr., Clarkstown South; Allison Tobias, Jr. (18U), Clarkstown South; Diana Tzanis, Sr.; Katie Wood, 8th, Suffern; Kim Yano, Jr., Albertus Magnus

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Palumbo (12U Black) and Guevarra (12U Black) in NY Little League State Tournament

About a month ago 12U Black won the NY State PONY championship. Now, Gabby "The Gabinator" Palumbo and Reese "Re-Re" Guevarra, both from 12U Black, are playing in the New York Little League State Tournament tonight at South Orangetown Little League. In addition to the Hurricanes, they both also play for the New City LL 11/12 yo All-Star Team. The New City 11/12 yo All Star team won District 18 and Section 4 to make it to the NY State tournament.

This summer, Guevarra and Palumbo had a chance to have some friendly competition against some of their Hurricanes teammates in the Little League All Star tournament. New City played an epic 18-inning game against the defending 2010 11 year old NY State Champs Nanuet. The Nanuet team includes teammate Megan Sneeden (12U Black) and Mackenzie Johnson (12U Blue). Nanuet also played New City in the District 18 Finals. Teammates Alicia Bertolino andAmanda Schweitzer (12U Black) are on the Stony Point team New City played in the semi-finals of the winner bracket. Also on the Stony Point team are Jaclyn Onody and Paulina Dore (12U Blue).

The winner of the NY State tournament is crowned NY Little League State Champion and will go on to represent NY in Bristol, CT for the Little League Eastern Regionals. Teams represented at Eastern regionals NJ, PA, MD, DE, NY for Mid-Atlantic. CT, RI. MA, ME, VT for New England.

The winning team of the Regionals goes on to the Little League World Series.

This is Guevarra's 2nd time in the NY Little League State Championship. Guevarra was part of the New City 9/10 year old team that made it to the NY State finals two years ago.

New City plays Islip LL tonight @ 6PM. Winner plays Saturday @ 1130AM. Loser plays Friday @ 6PM.

Hurricanes on 2011 11/12 yo All-Star teams.

12U Black
Megan Sneeden - Nanuet All Stars
Amanda Schweitzer - Stony Point All Stars
Alicia Bertolino - Stony Point All Stars
Deangie Jimenez - East Ramapo All-Stars (Baseball)
Reese Guevarra - New City All Stars
Gabby Palumbo - New City All Stars

12U Blue

Mackenzie Johnson - Nanuet All Stars
Paulina Dore - Stony Point
Jaclyn Onody - Stony Point All Stars
Ericka Vasti - Haverstraw All-Stars

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Friday, July 8, 2011

2011 All-State Hurricanes - Destaso, Lalli, O'Flynn, DeGennaro, Pagnani

Danielle Destaso (GOLD)

Congratulations to our All-State athletes selected by the New York State Sportswriters Association and Coaches Organization of Girls Sports'.

Year followed by position then name.

CLASS AA
12 ..... P ..... Danielle Destaso (Clarkstown North)

CLASS A
12 ..... P ..... Katie O'Flynn (Pearl River)
12 ..... P ..... Janine Lalli (Eastchester)
12 ..... C ..... Jamie DeGennaro (Pearl River)
12 ..... C ..... Colleen Pagnani (Tappan Zee)

Katie O'Flynn (18U)

Janine Lalli (GOLD)

Jamie DeGennaro (18U)

Collen Pagnani (18U)

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Thursday, July 7, 2011

12U Black go 6-0 and sweep PONY North Atlantic Regionals

This past July 4th weekend the 12U Black managed by Kristen Sullivan went 6-0 and swept the PONY North Atlantic Regionals in Flemington, NJ. They played some very good teams from the region and showed they could win close games with 4 of the 6 games being decided by only one run. The formula they've used all season, good pitching, solid defense and timely hitting is what brought this team its 9th tournament championship this season.

Megan Sneeden did a fantastic job as usual behind the plate shutting down any running game by throwing out six base runners attempting to steal.

Gabby Palumbo and Taylor Sullivan made no errors and combined for over 50% of the putouts.

In the first game on Saturday, Sarah Gunderson pitched a great game and helped her cause at the plate driving in the only 2 runs needed (2-1 win). Alicia Bertolino hit a grand slam in the 2nd game to help put that game away early. In the 3rd game Deangie Jimenez hits a HR for the go ahead run in the final inning (final score 3-2), for the 3rd win clinching the #1 seed for the Hurricanes. Nicole Spiegelberg had a nice defensive play in the outfield which saved a few runs.

On Sunday, in the quarterfinals Amanda Schweitzer in the final inning hit a walk off triple scoring Kelsey Oh from 1st base (final score 5-4).

In the semi-finals, pitcher Reese Guevarra with the help of some stellar defense behind her kept a very dangerous lineup at bay. Guevarra and Kelsey Oh contributed offensively with deep shots for ground rule doubles. In a 2-2 tie with 2 outs catcher Megan Sneeden knocks in Guevarra with a double in the bottom of the 6th to take the lead 3-2. Hurricanes close it out in the 7th for the win.

In the finals, big hits were had by Jimenez, Palumbo and Oh. Kelsey Oh also made a nice diving catch in left field to save runs from scoring and preserving the lead and the tournament win.

Next stop for the Hurricanes 12U Black is PONY Nationals in Cary, NC.

Kelsey Oh was awarded the Tournament MVP.

Reese Guevarra was awarded Most Outstanding Pitcher for the tournament.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Lalli, O'Flynn, DeGennaro, headline All-State teams

(Picture L-R - Lalli; O'Flynn; DeGennaro)

Lalli, O'Flynn, DeGennaro, Lisikatos headline all-state teams

Jun 29, 2011

Written by

Debbie Schechter

Eastchester's Janine Lalli, Pearl River's Katie O'Flynn and Jamie DeGennaro, and Haldane's Chelsea Lisikatos headline the New York State Sportswriters Association and Coaches Organization of Girls Sports' all-state teams released on Monday.

In all, 21 Section 1 players were named to the teams.

Lalli (GOLD), O'Flynn (18U) and DeGennaro (18U) made first team in Class A while Lisikatos is on the the Class C first team.

On Thursday, O'Flynn, DeGennaro and Ursuline ace Taylor Pirone were named to the 2011 Louisville Slugger/NFCA High School All-Region teams.

O'Flynn was named to the East region first team, while DeGennaro and Pirone were named to the East region second team.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Big North All Division Team

Congratulations to the below Hurricanes for receiving All Division Team Honors.

Pitchers-

Marissa Spinuzzi - 1st Team (18U)

First Base-

Mary Wiley- 1st team (GOLD)

Infielders-

Brittany Mangan- 2nd Team (GOLD)

Rachel Ravettine- 2nd Team (18U)

Outfielders-

Lauren Milligan- 1st Team (18U)

Nicole LaBarbiera- 2nd Team (16U)

Catchers-

Allison Brown - 1st Team (GOLD)

At Large-

Nicole Leocata- 1st Team (16U)

Taylor Summers- 1st Team (18U)

Allison Brown (GOLD) is closing in on hits record

Old Tappan junior Allison Brown says that catching is her favorite position on the field.

Friday, June 10, 2011

BY J.C. BAUMULLER

SPORTS EDITOR

Northern Valley Suburbanite

OLD TAPPAN - When Old Tappan catcher Allison Brown broke through the career 100-hit barrier, she did it in style, going 3-for-4 in an 11-1 victory over Hackensack.

"I knew I was coming up to it, that I was getting closer and closer," she said. "I don't keep track. My dad and my coach do it. After the game coach told us I got to 102."

Hit No. 100 was not her greatest hit - it was a bloop single to left - but it made her the fourth Old Tappan player to get 100 hits since Melissa Landeck took over as coach in 2001.

"It's a nice accomplishment," Landeck said. "It speaks to how consistent Allison has been since freshman year.

She played first base for us and then went behind the plate. What you see is what you get with a hard-working kid that has some power.

It's team first."

Concentrating on hitting line drives is what Allison Brown tries to do with each at bat.

ONLY A JUNIOR

What makes Brown's feat even more impressive is that she is only a junior, so she has made it to the 100-hit club in only three years.

Brown began her freshman season as the DP and started to play first base midway through the season. Last year, her sophomore year, she moved behind the plate and has been there ever since.

She couldn't be happier, saying, "Catching is my favorite position. There is a lot of action."

"We always knew she was a catcher," Landeck said. "We had a senior catcher (Jaime Giacomelli) in her freshman year. We knew she could handle the ball well and we saw we needed her in the lineup from day one."

Brown said she began playing softball in clinics back when she was in kindergarten or first grade. Through the years she played with current teammates Kayla Farrell, Kelsey Morgan, Emily Russell, Brittany Steindl and Mary Wiley.

"I've been pretty good for awhile," she said. "I've always been a taller and bigger kid."

SOFT TOSS

Watching her pregame ritual of soft toss should send chills up the spines of opposing pitchers as she uses her whole body to pound ball after ball into the net.

"I love to soft toss," she said. "I swing right at the ball, but not hard. I try to hit line drives."

Brown finished with 109 career hits by season's end and she will have her senior year to hit some more line drives and perhaps break the school record.

Unfortunately no one knows what the school record is or who holds it. During Landeck's tenure third baseman Alexandra Rodriguez had 117 hits, but Landeck will not say for sure that A-Rod holds the record.

"I'm not going to say that A-Rod has the most," Landeck said. "There were a lot of good teams in the 1980's so maybe someone from that era has more."

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/hs_sports/girls_softball/123643404_Brown_is_closing_in_on_A-Rod_s_hit_total.html

2011 Section One All-Section Hurricanes

Top Row (L-R): Laura Brennan, Jamie Bucci, Lindsay Cohen, Jamie Degennaro, Danielle Destaso

Bot Row (L-R): Janine Lalli, Sami McDonald, Katie O'Flynn, Kristyn Neroda, Colleen Pagnani

Congratulations to the Hurricanes 2011 All-Section Athletes and Honorable mentions.

Section 1 Awards

Diamond Nine +1

Janine Lalli (Eastchester) - (GOLD)

Scholarship Awards

Softball Coaches Association

Katie O'Flynn (Pearl River) - (18U)

All-Section Athletes

Laura Brennan (Clarkstown North) - (18U)

Jamie Bucci (Sleepy Hollow) - (18U)

Lindsay Cohen (Suffern) - (18U)

Jamie DeGennaro (Pearl River) - (18U)

Danielle DeStaso (Clarkstown North) - (GOLD)

Janine Lalli (Eastchester) - (GOLD)

Sami McDonald (Clarkstown South) - (GOLD)

Katie O'Flynn (Pearl River) - (18U)

Kristyn Neroda (Pearl River) - (18U)

Colleen Pagnani (Tappan Zee) - (18U)

Honorable Mention

Kathleen Davis (Beacon) - (GOLD)

Gemma Mahoney (Pearl River) - (18U)

Brianna Nicosia (North Rockland) - (18U)

Ruby Silverstein (Clarkstown North) - (18U)

Dee Sinanaj (Tappan Zee) - (16U)

Alison Tobias (Clarkstown South) - (18U)

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Hudson Valley Hurricanes 12-U Girls Team Win PONY State Title

The New City-based Hudson Valley Hurricanes 12-U Black team won the New York State PONY championship over the weekend in New Windsor, NY.

Team goes 7-0 in competition in New Windsor, NY.

By William Demarest | Email the author | 6:51am

The team went 7-0 over the weekend, beating teams from throughout the state, including top teams from Long Island, Westchester, the Bronx and upstate.

The Hurricanes fastpitch team is made up of girls mostly from Rockland County who are hoping to go on to play high school softball. The team is managed by Kristen Sullivan, a Suffern High School graduate who was induected into the Rockland County Sports Hall of Fame on April 30.

The team outscored opponents 65-12. They went 4-0 on Saturday, securing the 1st seed in the tournament.

The pitching for the weekend was led by Taylor Sullivan (Suffern), Kelsey Oh (Verona), Sarah Gunderson (Upper Saddle River), Reese Guevarra (New City). Hurricanes pitchers struck out 53 batters in 39 innings. Taylor Sullivan pitched no-hit shutout with 9 strikeouts.

The offense was led by Megan Sneeden (Valley Cottage) with 10 RBIs. Guevarra had 9 RBIs and scored 12 runs. Gunderson had a double and 8 RBIs. Deangie Jimenez (Spring Valley) had a grand slam and 7 RBIs. Clutch RBI triples were had from Amanda Schweitzer (Stony Point) and Alicia Bertolino (Stony Point). Taylor Adolff had 4 RBIs.

Defense throughout the tournament was led by key plays from Gabby Palumbo (Bardonia), Alicia Bertolino, Amanda Schweitzer and Taylor Sullivan. Catcher Megan Sneeden erased the running game by catching 6 out of 8 base runners attempting to steal.

The championship game against Team Long Island 98 — which took 1st place in a PONY NQ in Connecticut recent — was an exciting one. The Hurricanes went down 0-3 in the 3rd inning with an uncharacteristic 3 errors in one inning. The girls were very upset with themselves. Team LI 98's pitcher at that point had been dominant only allowing one hit and looked like she was getting better.

Manager Kristen Sullivan spoke to the girls between innings, which seemed to help. The Hurricanes got a run back in the 4th when Deangie Jimenez with one out hit a triple. Sarah Gunderson knocked her in with a hard ground ball making the score 3-1. In the 5th inning with the score still 3-1 and one out, Alicia Bertolino hit a triple against Team LI's tough lefty pitcher.

Taylor Sullivan and Gabby Palumbo promptly reached base with bunts loading the bases for Reese Guevarra. Guevarra grounded into a fielder's choice but scored Bertolino making the score 3-2 with two runners on. Sneeden on a 1-1 count hit a triple scoring Palumbo and Guevarra from 1st base allowing the Hurricanes to take the lead 4-3. Jimenez knocked in Sneeden to make the score 5-3. That was all the Hurricanes needed as Kelsey Oh closed the door allowing Team Long Island 98 no more hits for the rest of the game. Final score was 5-3.

http://newcity.patch.com/articles/hudson-valley-hurricanes-12-u-girls-team-win-pony-state-title

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Class A softball: DeGennaro (18U), O'Flynn (18U Black) propel Pearl River into regional final

Picture: Pearl River's Jamie DeGennaro is congratulated after hitting a solo home run in the first inning of the Class A regional girls softball semifinal against Port Jervis at Minisink Valley High School June 6, 2011. Pearl River defeated Port Jervis 5-0. ( Seth Harrison / The Journal News )

SLATE HILL — Beginning with Jamie DeGennaro's (18U) home run in the top of the first, Pearl River's offense gave pitcher Katie O'Flynn (18U Black) plenty of support in Monday's 5-0 win over Section 9 champion Port Jervis in a Class A regional semifinal at Minisink Valley High School.

The Pirates banged out 11 hits. DeGennaro went 3 for 3 and drove in two runs. Her first-inning home run came after a double play that cleared the bases.

"Hitting it right after the double play was especially good," Pearl River coach Mike Carlacci said. "Instead of our momentum stopping, to get it right back there with the home run was a very good time to hit it."

The Pirates will play Elmira of Section 4 in Wednesday's 5:30 p.m. regional final at Nanuet High School. The winner advances to the state final four.

Pearl River (23-1) scored again in the second inning on an RBI single by Amanda Hartigan (18U Black). And DeGennaro and O'Flynn had back-to-back RBI singles in the third to extend the lead to 4-0. Nicole Leote drove in the final run in the fifth.

Kristyn Neroda (18U Black), Hartigan (18U Black) and O'Flynn (18U Black) each had two hits.

O'Flynn pitched a five-hitter and struck out seven. She did not allow a base runner through the first four innings.

"You want to get in your groove early," O'Flynn said. "Later on, you're expecting them to get a piece of it."

DeGennaro, the Pirates' catcher, saw that O'Flynn was going to be on her game right out of warm-ups.

"Usually she does a run-through of all of her pitches right before she's done," DeGennaro said. "Usually it takes a couple of each pitch to get it right, but she got it first shot, and then I knew she would be good hitting her spots and all."

The Red Raiders (13-8) threatened to score in the bottom of the fifth. With two outs, a hit batter and two singles loaded the bases. But O'Flynn induced a fly ball to preserve the shutout.

The Pirates are eager to play their next regional game at Nanuet, so close to home.

"That's awesome," Neroda said. "When I was in ninth grade, we played our regional games there. Everyone from our school goes."

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Monday, June 6, 2011

Class A softball: Pearl River edges Eastchester for sectional title four-peat

THIELLS — Four years ago, Katie O'Flynn (GOLD Alumni), Gemma Mahoney (Hurricanes Alumni), Jamie DeGennaro (18U) and Kaity Goldrick (Hurricanes Alumni) sat in the back of the Pearl River bus fresh off their first Section 1 championship victory. Holding on to the championship plaque, they had a vision of a four-peat in the making.

After the top-seeded Pirates eked out a 2-1, extra-inning win over second-seeded Eastchester for the Class A title on Saturday, the four seniors had accomplished what they set out to do.

"This was our goal since we were in ninth grade," O'Flynn said. "We sat there telling coach (Mike) Carlacci that we were going to do it, and he didn't believe us. He laughed at us and said to prove it, and we proved it to him and everyone else — and especially to ourselves."

With the score tied 1-1 in the bottom of the eighth inning, Mahoney delivered on the promise as she slapped a single to left field that scored Amanda Hartigan (18U Black) from second for the walk-off win at North Rockland High School.

"When I got up, I knew all I had to do was move her over," Mahoney said. "So when I got up, I was like, 'I'm going to get a hit right now. I'm going to get a hit.' I literally was like I see it and envision it going through that spot directly.

"I didn't expect her to go home, but it was just icing on the cake that she scored. I actually didn't even realize that it was the winning run until all my teammates ran onto the field."

With O'Flynn going head-to-head in the circle against Eastchester's Janine Lalli (GOLD) — a teammate from her travel team, the Hudson Valley Hurricanes — everyone knew it was going to be a low-scoring game as two of the top pitchers in Section 1 battled.

O'Flynn allowed just four hits and struck out six, while Lalli gave up five hits and struck out eight.

"There were a lot of infield balls and grounders, and our defense was great," O'Flynn said. "That was the key to the win — not me. It was all the defense."

Lalli didn't allow a hit until the fifth inning, and O'Flynn had five straight 1-2-3 innings at one point during the game.

"If we play that team 10 times, we would probably finish 5-5," Carlacci said. "We knew that going in, so our philosophy was to just find a way to win. We knew it was go to be a game where we couldn't just out-power them."

Down to their last two outs in the top of the seventh, Eastchester rallied to tie the score on a bloop single by Taylor DelGatto that scored Lalli.

"Katie was throwing really well, and they got those three hits in the seventh, but she was awesome all day," Carlacci said.

"It was just a mental game today," O'Flynn said. "It was bound to happen where they broke through at one point. We both had the same physical abilities, so it was whoever messed up first and made the play first."

Pearl River advances to the state regionals and will face Port Jervis of Section 9 at Minisink Valley at 3 p.m. on Monday.

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Friday, June 3, 2011

Lalli (GOLD); Eastchester advances to Section 1 Finals

Janine Lalli scattered seven hits and struck out nine in pitching Eastchester into the Section 1 Class A final with a 1-0 win over Hen Hud Thursday. Xavier Mascareñas/The Journal News

EASTCHESTER — The last time Eastchester reached a Section 1 championship game in softball was back in 2005 when it lost to Putnam Valley. It took six years, but the Eagles will finally get another shot at a title.

The second-seeded Eagles defeated No. 6 Hen Hud 1-0 in a Class A semifinal Thursday to set up a dream matchup in the final against top-seeded and defending state champ Pearl River.

Eastchester (21-1) takes on the Pirates on Saturday at North Rockland High School at 5:30 p.m.

The Eagles will look to avenge last year's 8-4 semifinal loss to Pearl River.

Eastchester last won a Section 1 title in 1995.

"Just to make it there, all our hard work, it's amazing," said Taylor DelGatto, whose RBI single in the bottom of the first accounted for the game's only run.

After that run came across, the game turned into a pitchers' duel between Janine Lalli and Sailors ace Julianna Gaspar.

Lalli pitched a seven-hitter, striking out nine while walking two walks. It wasn't up to her usual standard but she settled back in to a rhythm .

The Sailors had bases loaded and no one out in the top of the fourth and Lalli struck out the next three batters to get out of the jam.

"That did settle me down and got me back into a groove," Lalli said. "It was my worst game of sections but we got out of it and it was still a shutout so that's what matters."

That fourth inning was a turning point in the game.

"I felt like we could've done some damage," Sailors coach Kurt Thomas said. "She made three big strikeouts to get out of it. Tip my hat to her. What we needed to do was put the ball in play and make something happen. She was good."

Gaspar allowed one earned run on nine hits, walked four and struck out two.

"I knew my team was behind me and cheering me on," Gaspar said. "That really helped. I just had to throw strikes and that's what I did."

Anna Crowley was 3 for 3 for the Eagles in a game where the whipping winds made sure neither team had an extra-base hit.

"I just really wanted to hit the ball," Crowley said. "Sections are you have to hit or it doesn't work. I wanted to do whatever I could to help win."

Rachel Buckner went 2 for 4 for the Sailors (17-5).

Eastchester and Pearl River have played some epic games in sections in the past. The Eagles know what it will take to dethrone the three-time defending Section 1 champs.

"Confidence," Lalli said. "I think this is the best team that I've been on since I've been on varsity for five years. I know that we can do it. I've never felt that way before."

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Thursday, June 2, 2011

Farrell (14U) pitches 4 perfect inn, triple and 2 RBIS's; Smedberg (16U) goes 3 for 4 as Old Tappan wins Middle School Championship vs. River Vale.

Kristen Farrell (14U) pitches 4 perfect innings with a triple and 2 RBI's. Aexa Smedberg (16U) goes 3 for 4 as Old Tappan beats Rivervale 8-1 in the Middle School Championships 8-1.

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Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Valentine; Velasquez (GOLD) help John Jay to semifinals

On Tuesday, two was a magic number for the John Jay High School softball team.

Scoring two runs in each of the first two innings and receiving a two-hit effort from pitcher Amanda Gisonni, the No. 2 Patriots defeated No. 7 Brewster, 6-0, in the Section 1 Class AA quarterfinals in Wiccopee.

John Jay (16-3) will host No. 6 Clarkstown North in a semifinal game on Thursday. John Jay coach Bonnie Schilling said her team has high expectations.

"We're thinking states," she said. "Hopefully we can continue playing well."

Gisonni (11-1) struck out nine in the complete-game shutout, and walked three.

"She was hitting locations, taking command of the game very well," said Schilling.

Tateum Valentine (GOLD) hit a pair of triples and collected three RBI and a run scored. Gabby Bracchi was 2 for 4 with a double and two runs scored. Amber Velasquez (GOLD) had two hits and one run, and Vicky Lattanzio doubled.

Schilling praised her players' effort, especially given their relative youth, with few seniors. Gisonni is a junior and Valentine is a sophomore.

"They've come together very well over the year," Schilling said. "It's nice to see that all their hard work is paying off for them. Hopefully it will follow through all the way to states."

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Softball quarterfinals: Albertus' Capello (14U) tosses no-hitter; Clarkstown North beats North Rockland; Eastchester beats Tappan Zee

Clarkstown North 3, North Rockland 1: In a Class AA quarterfinal at No. 3 North Rockland, Ruby Silverstein (16U Black)was 3 for 4 with two doubles and an RBI for No. 6 Clarkstown North. Teammate Lauren Strum (16U Black) had an RBI. Alexi Chiorazzi had two hits for the Red Raiders. Clarkstown North will visit No. 2 John Jay-East Fishkill Thursday at 4:30 p.m.

Eastchester 4, Tappan Zee 3, 8: In a Class A quarterfinal at No. 2 Eastchester, Christiana Galella singled home Janine Lalli (GOLD) with the winning run in the bottom of the eighth. Lalli, the winning pitcher, struck out 11. Teammate Taylor Delgatto had two RBI. Kelly Connolly (14U) had two hits and two RBI for No. 7 Tappan Zee. Eastchester will host No. 6 Hen Hud Thursday at 4:30 p.m.

Pearl River 3, Beacon 2: In a Class A quarterfinal at No. 1 Pearl River, Katie O'Flynn pitched a four-hitter with 12 strikeouts. Jamie DeGennaro (18U) hit a home run and had two RBI. Pearl River will host No. 5 Pelham Thursday at 4:30 p.m.

Albertus Magnus 4, Pawling 0: In a Class B quarterfinals at No. 5 Albertus Magnus, Lauren Capello (14U) pitched a no-hitter with three strikeouts and two walks in the win over No. 12 Tigers.

"She had total command of the strike zone and was very intimidating," Falcons coach Carl D'Alba said. "She's been getting better and better, and with her on the mound and the experience of our seniors, we have an excellent chance in the next round."

Wayne Hills (0) at Indian Hills (5), NJSIAA Tournament, Quarterfinal Round, North Jersey, Section 1, Group 3 - Softball

The Star Ledger, May 26, 2011 8:23 p.m.

In Oakland, freshman shortstop Nicole Leocata (16U Blue) singled in two runs to key a four-run fifth inning and junior right-hander Ashley DeYoung tossed a four-hitter with two strikeouts and no walks for Indian Hills (24-4) in a North Jersey, Section 1, Group 3 quarterfinal. Jamie Pospishil singled twice in three at-bats for Wayne Hills (20-5).

Pompton Lakes (4) at Elmwood Park (1) - Softball

The Star Ledger, May 25, 2011 9:13 p.m.

Rebecca VanderBrink (18U), Jackie Gloshinski, Danielle Allan and Megan McAteer each drove in a run to lead Pompton Lakes in Elmwood Park. Caroline Medino was the winning pitcher for Pompton Lakes (19-4). Elmwood Park is 5-15.

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Tuesday, May 31, 2011

North’s DeStaso (GOLD) no-hits Scarsdale

It wasn't the prettiest no-hitter ever thrown, but it was a dominating performance nonetheless, as Clarkstown North's Danielle DeStaso struck out 17 in the Rams' 2-1 win in a Class AA first round game at No. 6 seeded Clarkstown North.

DeStaso allowed an earned run on no hits with 17 strikeouts. She walked five and hit a batter. It was her first ever varsity no-hitter and it came at the perfect time.

She cruised through four innings before issuing back-to-back walks in the fifth inning with two outs. With a runner on first and second, she struck out Scarsdale's Zoe Blumenthal to end the inning.

She found herself in trouble once again in the sixth inning after walking the bases loaded and hitting a batter to bring in Rachel Halperin. With two outs and a full count, the Raiders let another opportunity go to waste, as DeStaso escaped with a strikeout to end the threat.

DeStaso regained her command in the seventh inning and shut the door on the Rams' victory as she struck out the side.

Amanda Cooper helped out her pitcher in the fifth inning with a clutch single up the middle that scored Lauren Navarro and made the score 2-0 at the time.

Thoughts after the game:

Danielle DeStaso

"I had one rough inning where they stopped calling strikes and I wasn't even missing, I don't really know what happened there, but I threw a no-hitter with someone scoring so that's a new one.

"It was a good team win. It wasn't all just me. They made the plays behind me and had my back."

On the pitching-catching relationship with Laura Brennan: "We call the game together. We definitely know what each other wants. If I do shake her off, she knows what I'm looking for. I've never had to shake her off continuously, she tends to know exactly what I want if I do shake her off. That relationship has grown over the past two years. She knows what I like now and we know what the teams may not be able to hit before the game because we plan before the game."

Amanda Cooper:

"We knew that we were eliminated from them our sophomore year, so we knew we had to come in strong and get redemption.

"It hit us around the fifth inning that we knew she was having a no-hitter. And then when the ump wasn't giving her calls it started to frustrate us a little bit. But she came out with the W and no one hit her which was incredible.

"There's always pressure for (the defense) because we want to backup our pitcher. That's what we are here for to backup our pitcher and make no mistakes."

Scarsdale coach Dave Scagnelli:

"It comes down to making things happen with runners in scoring position. I give their pitcher a lot of credit. A kid who pitches and gets 21 outs and 17 strikeouts, that's as good a pitcher as we've faced all year."

"But I tell our girls all the time, our job is to bring the tying run up to the plate. At any point in the game anything can happen. You see with the bases loaded, she's cruising along on a no-hitter and she ends up hitting a batter. We steal a run there and the full count pitch was a borderline pitch that I tell our girls don't leave it up to the umpire because things can happen when the bat gets taken out of your hands."

"To lose eight seniors and have a 12-5 record and have these girls come up from our tournament program and make an impact…Having three freshmen starters and two sophomores and do what we did, I'm extremely pleased not with where we are this year, but where we can be next year in our program."

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Lalli (GOLD) Strikes Out 18 In Sectional Opener

Eastchester 9, Nanuet 0: In a Class A first round game at No.2 Eastchester, Kristin Martin had two doubles with three RBI. Teammate Anna Crowley had a triple and three RBI. Janine Lalli pitched a four-hitter with 18 strikeouts. Laura Marinello had two hits for No. 15 Nanuet. Eastchester will host No. 7 Tappan Zee in a rematch of last year's quarterfinals on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.
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Thursday, December 1, 2011

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Monday, August 1, 2011

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Friday, July 8, 2011

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Thursday, June 16, 2011

ONLY A JUNIOR

SOFT TOSS

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Monday, June 6, 2011

Friday, June 3, 2011

Janine Lalli scattered seven hits and struck out nine in pitching Eastchester into the Section 1 Class A final with a 1-0 win over Hen Hud Thursday. Xavier Mascareñas/The Journal News

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Wayne Hills (0) at Indian Hills (5), NJSIAA Tournament, Quarterfinal Round, North Jersey, Section 1, Group 3 - Softball

Pompton Lakes (4) at Elmwood Park (1) - Softball

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

It wasn't the prettiest no-hitter ever thrown, but it was a dominating performance nonetheless, as Clarkstown North's Danielle DeStaso struck out 17 in the Rams' 2-1 win in a Class AA first round game at No. 6 seeded Clarkstown North.

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