Newfield’s #17 attempts the tag on Brook DaSilva who slides into second in League III action May 3. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West senior Hailey Cinquemani safely on at first against Newfield May 3. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West junior Kasey Verini lays down a bunt against Newfield May 3. Bill Landon photo
Newfield runner safely back at second base in League III action May 3. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West freshman Angelina Savoretti makes the play at first on opening day May 3. Photo by Bill Landon
Eighth-grader Erin McDaid makes the play at third for the Bulls in their season opener against Newfield May 3. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown West freshman Heather Dufficy tracks down a fly ball deep In centerfield against Newfield at home May 3. Photo by Bill Landon
Freshman Samantha Dufficy fields an infield pop-up for the Bulls May 3. Bill Landon photo
Conference on the mound for Smithtown West in their season opener at home against Newfield. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West senior Hailey Cinquemani takes a cut in a League III matchup at home against Newfield May 3. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West catcher Hailey Cinquemani slides into second against Newfield May 3. Bill Landon photo
After a 23-month hiatus it was time to play ball Monday, May 3, when the Bulls of Smithtown West opened their softball season at home against Newfield.
The Wolverines struck first and took a three-run lead in the top of the fourth before Smithtown West retook the lead in the bottom of inning when Brook DaSilva’s bat drove in Hailey Cinquemani to take the first lead of the game. The Bulls scored what they thought was an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth before Newfield exploded in with four unanswered runs in the top of the seventh to win the game, 8-6.
Both teams are back in action May 5 when the Bulls travel to Huntington, and Newfield plays their home opener against North Babylon. Start times are 4 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. respectively.
Junior attack Xavier Arline drives to the cage for the Wildcats in the Suffolk Class C county final against Mount Sinai last year. With spring season cancelled, there will be no chance for a rematch. File photo by Bill Landon
High School seniors are normally under a lot of pressure come their last year of classes. It’s a time where students have to be thinking about where they want to go after graduation, what they want to do, all mixed in with a sense of finality to their grade school careers. For students involved in sports, it means the last season and the last chance they will have to take their team to county championships or maybe even states.
Ward Melville second baseman Matt Maurer makes the scoop in a League I matchup against Central Islip last year. The team was hoping for even better this year, before the spring season was cancelled. File photo by Bill Landon
Then on April 22, Section XI made the announcement cancelling the spring sports season.
“After much discussion and consideration, the Athletic Council of Suffolk County has voted unanimously to cancel the spring sports season for 2020 at all levels,” Tom Combs, the Section XI executive director wrote in a statement. “The decision was not an easy one to make, however in what the world is experiencing at this time, it is the most prudent decision to make.”
With the cancellation of the spring sports season due to the ongoing pandemic, those same students now see any hopes of making it to playoffs dashed. Some teams, like the Ward Melville baseball team, might have been looking at their best season yet after making it to Suffolk County championships last year.
“Though we lost in the Suffolk County championship, the juniors were a big reason why they got there in the first place,” said Ward Melville baseball coach Lou Petrucci. “When we heard the news I talked to all the captains, and we talked to the seniors and juniors. They’re upset, but the spin we have to put on it is every time you play a baseball team you have to play it like it’s your last.”
Scott Reh, the Mount Sinai director of athletics, echoed the sentiment that the decision is going to most impact seniors, who he said the decision was “totally out of their control.” Though he and other athletic directors understood why it was done.
“At the end of the day, it’s very important because people are losing their lives, their jobs and the list goes on and on, “ Reh said.
Mount Sinai girls lacrosse head coach Al Bertolone said his team has been “training every day since school closed,” and that he hosts video meetings with the team and individual groups daily.
Though the news was hard, Bertolone said they had already participated in a car parade that ran past Mather and St Charles hospitals, which included the entire varsity team, parents, a fire truck, local police and some alumni as well.
“As far as we are concerned the games might have been canceled but our team is still going strong,” he said.
They are planning another car parade for Senior Day, May 14.
Charles Delargey, the director of PE, health and athletics at the Rocky Point school district, said the girls lacrosse team hosted a senior parade for their 10 seniors last Saturday, and the boys lacrosse has plans to do something similar this weekend.
Mount Sinai sophomore, then freshman Mackenzie Celauro slides home in game last year. File photo by Bill Landon
At 8:20 (20:20 military time) on Friday, May 1, districts will be turning on the lights and score board of their school football fields. The event is supposed to celebrate the sports teams in their 2020 season, with several schools planning live streams including comments from coaches.
In addition to several videos that coaches and students have put together, homes throughout the Shoreham-Wading River Central School District are displaying ‘Home of a Wildcat Senior 2020’ lawn signs to share in the school spirit. The district is also promoting the NYSPHSAA Mental Health Awareness Week from May 4-8 with social media messages. Plans are also in progress to honor all athletes at the annual athletic awards event which will be held virtually in the coming weeks.
“Our coaches are in contact with our athletes to help to maintain optimistic attitudes and keep physically active during this time,” said SWR Director of Physical Education, Health, Athletics and Nurses Mark Passamonte.
School sports directors have been doing their best to keep spirits high. Adam Sherrard, the Port Jefferson School District athletic director, shared a video to his Twitter showcasing baseball players practicing, intercutting the video so it seemed the players were tossing the ball to each other.
Port Jeff is planning to host its regular sports ceremonies, including pictures of seniors in their uniforms in May and the signing ceremonies in June, but this time having to bring up each player individually for photos.
Indeed, practicing at home has become the new norm. Players have taken videos and pictures of themselves in their workouts and practices and posted such things to their coaches and teammates in phone messages and online.
Still, many students mourn the loss of their lost season — for some their last. As the bearer of bad news, coaches have done their best to offer consolation and hope for the future.
Matt DeVincenzo, the athletic director at Comsewogue School District, helped craft a video that was released Friday, April 24, on the district’s Facebook going through all the spring sports teams and specifically mentioning the graduating players, thanking them for all their hard work.
“Everyone’s pretty devastated,” DeVincenzo said. “Everyone saw the writing on the wall, and all the kids are affected, but our hearts really go out to the senior class. Unfortunately, they were robbed of last season in high school.”
Port Jefferson senior Aidan Kaminski, then a junior, looks for an open lane last year during the Class D county final. He will not be able to finish his final senior season. File photo by Bill Landon
The unanimous decision from the Section XI board was a tough one, DeVincenzo said, but all acknowledged the impossibility of hosting sports during the ongoing pandemic.
But beyond the spring season, many still question what will happen in the summer, fall and winter.All agree it’s still too early to tell.
For students participating in college sports, the National College Athletic Association said students graduating in spring will be eligible for collegiate scholarships as long as they still meet the course number requirements and show a 2.3 or higher GPA in those courses. The NCAA’s evaluations will not look at separate reviews of spring or summer distance learning during COVID-19 closures.
The question whether the coronavirus will impact sports in summer and fall is still up in the air, but with coaches not even aware if students will be back in school by the end of May, that question is leaning heavy on the minds of school athletics. Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) said April 24 he would later be announcing whether schools would remain closed, but as of press time has not yet made the decision.
Delargey said when the news arrived last week, students were of course disappointed. On the other end, it was also a showcase of how students can show compassion.
“On a call with the softball team where the coach broke the news, after everyone spoke, one of our youngest kids on the team said to the seniors, ‘just want to let you know what an inspiration you’ve been to me.’” he said. “For a young kid to do that that’s amazing says what sports is all about.”
With sports on hold during the pandemic, I would like to borrow from the sports channels and share a collection of sports memories.
The singing pitcher
My daughter was pitching against a heavily favored team. In the first inning, she walked in two runs. As the coach, I raced out to the mound to check on her. She was quietly singing a song to herself. I knew there was nothing I could say that would top whatever song was entertaining her. In the final play of the game, the batter hit a ground ball to her and she raced over to first base, where she placed the ball in the glove of her teammate, starting an unlikely victory celebration.
The basketball game where we almost covered the spread
Knowing from the standings that the basketball team I coached would struggle against a team that should have been in a different league, I told my team that if they kept the other team under 50 points and we scored 30, we would have a pizza party. At the end of the game, the other team scored 49 points. We had a chance, with one last shot, to reach 30. We didn’t make it, but the referees congratulated each player on our team for fighting till the end. If they only knew …
The stampede game
In Cooperstown, I coached a town team of 12-year-olds against a team aptly named the Stampede. Hoping to confuse their 6-foot tall hitters, I chose our softest throwing pitchers. It worked early, as they only scored one run in the first inning. In the second inning, my son hit a home run, giving us a 2-1 lead. We lost 11-4, but our players and their parents couldn’t have been happier, as we were the first team to score more than one run in an entire game and were also the first team the Stampede didn’t mercy.
Tough as nails
Even with a face mask on her softball helmet, the fastball that hit my daughter caused the mask to give her a bloody lip. The umpire said she could come out and return later. She refused help or attention and ran to first base. She stole second, third and home, and returned to the bench with a triumphant smile.
The tiny team that did
My daughter was on a vastly undersized volleyball team that made it to the finals against a team that, in warm ups, pummeled balls into the ground. With my daughter anchoring the back row, the other team became frustrated that their hard hits didn’t win points. They tried hitting at different angles and further away from the defense, crushing balls just out. When my daughter served the last five points for the win, I joined a collection of elated parents as we screamed and threw our arms in the air. I briefly turned my head to hide the tears of pride welling in my eyes.
The kid who was way ahead of his time
When my son was in pee wee ball, he watched a lot of baseballmy fault. He played shortstop in a station-to-station game, in which each player moved up one base, regardless of where the ball went and whether someone got out. With the bases loaded, a player hit a line drive to my son at shortstop. He caught the ball, ran to third to get the runner who was jogging home and tagged the runner who approached him. After his unassisted triple play, he jogged off the field and dropped the ball near the pitcher’s mound. I had to explain to him that he didn’t play that way yet, but that he would, and hopefully will again, soon.
When I was younger, I was the best baseball player who ever lived. OK, maybe that’s a wee bit of an exaggeration. Maybe I was a decent player who had a few good games, surrounded by periods of agonizing ineffectiveness, miserable failure and frustrating inadequacies.
Baseball, as its numerous fans will suggest regularly, is a game of failure. And yet those exquisite moments of success — when we break up a no-hitter, get to a ball that seemed destined for open grass or develop the speed to outrun the laser throw from the outfield — make us feel as if we can do anything.
Recently, I have found myself frustrated beyond the normal measure of perspective because I feel as if I’ve lost a step or six when I play softball. My current athletic deficiencies seem to be a harsh reminder of the inexorable journey through time.
As I return from the game in the car, I sometimes bark questions at myself, wondering how I missed an easy pop-up, or how I lunged for yet another pitch I should have hit. My family, who comes to the games to support me, watches me dissolve into a puddle of self-loathing.
Yes, I know, it’s not my finest hours as a parent and I know I’m setting a terrible example. And yet something inside of me, which is both young and old, can’t control the frustration. I’m an older version of the kid who was so annoyed with his own deficiencies that he kicked a basketball over some trees. OK, maybe they were hedges and I probably threw the ball, but in my memory the offending orb traveled a great distance.
So, what was and sometimes is missing from my life that caused these games to be so important? Other than talent, conditioning, plenty of sleep and a commitment to practicing, my biggest problem was, and sometimes still is, a lack of perspective.
People suffer through much greater hardships than a decline in limited athletic skills. Life is filled with challenges and inspiration. People overcome insurmountable odds, push themselves far beyond any expectations by taking small steps for mankind or even small steps for themselves when they weren’t expected to walk at all.
As I know, I am fortunate in many ways to have the opportunity and time to play softball at all. To be sure, I recognize that perspective isn’t what people generally need when they care about something large or small: They need focus. Artists spending countless hours painting, writing, revising, editing or reshooting a scene for a movie to enable the reality of their art to catch up to their vision or imagination often lose themselves in their efforts, forgetting to eat, to call their parents or siblings, to sleep or to take care of other basic needs.
Considerable perspective could prevent them from finding another gear or producing their best work.
And yet perspective, particularly in a moment like a softball game, can soothe the escalated competitor and give the father driving a car with his supportive family a chance to appreciate the people around him and laugh about his inadequacies, rather than dwell on them.
In a movie, perspective often comes from a camera that climbs high into the sky or from someone looking through a window at his children playing in a yard or at a picture of his family in a rickety rowboat. Perhaps if we find ourselves tumbling down the staircase of anger, frustration or resentment, we can imagine handrails we can grab that allow us to appreciate what we have and that offer another way of reacting to life.
Melissa Marchese proved herself in sports, was set to graduate June 28
Shoreham-Wading River senior forward Melissa Marchese battles in the paint Feb. 11. Photo by Bill Landon
A community that has become much too familiar to tragedy was left reeling June 14 as Melissa Marchese, 18, a Shoreham resident and senior at the high school passed from her injuries received in a car crash the day before.
Shoreham-Wading River senior Melissa Marchese During an April 22 Softball game. Photo by Bill Landon
Suffolk County police confirmed her death Saturday, June 15.
Marchese’s father Charlie Marchese posted a lengthy eulogy on his Facebook page. He called his daughter “… brilliant, she was magnetic,” and said she fought long enough in order for doctors to donate her organs, something she had always wished to do.
“She would light up the room with her smile and make everybody burst with laughter,” Marchese’s father wrote. “Melissa was a remarkable athlete. Fierce, determined, and focused. Just try to slide into her at home plate or try to battle her for a rebound. She did not lose. She was a born leader in all facets of her life. Whether barking instructions on the softball field or leading her friends in a dance or a song, everyone would follow her. She did not lose.”
Marchese was in the backseat of a car turning left onto Route 25A from Miller Avenue June 13. The high school was having its senior honoring ceremony. Another vehicle, driven by Ridge resident Michael Troiano, 34, went through a red light and struck Marchese’s vehicle. The two other students in Marchese’s car, Evan Flannery, 17, and Caroline Tyburski, 18, both of Shoreham, were transported to St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson with non-life-threatening injuries. Marchese was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital, where she died a day later.
The Shoreham-Wading River school district released statements Friday and Saturday.
Melissa Marchese battles Mount Sinai senior Gabby Sartori for a loose ball under the boards Jan. 22. Photo by Bill Landon
“We extend our deepest condolences to the individual’s family and friends, and we continue to keep all those involved and impacted by this tragedy in our thoughts during this very difficult time,” the district wrote on its website.
Marchese was well known in the district for her work on the basketball court and the softball field.
Adam Lievre, Marchese’s basketball coach, said he would watch Marchese move around the court and be awed at her tenacity. It was that tenacity, he said, that had her fighting death until the time they could donate her organs.
“She was willing to throw her body anywhere and everywhere to get every rebound,” he said. “I’ve never coached a kid who wanted rebounds so badly, and she went after every ball with this relentless effort. It was contagious when the other kids saw how hard she worked, was an example she led on the court.”
He remembered two cases of her caring personality. One was on the court where she saw eighth-grader GraceAnn Leonard get knocked over, and she “sprinted” over to help her up. The other was in the locker room after the team’s heartbreaking playoff 42-41 loss against Sayville Feb. 12.
“She was sitting right in front of me in tears, so emotional about losing but so thankful, she said how thankful she was to be a part of the team and how great it was,” Lievre said.
Marchese was known as a standout softball player in SWR, having been recognized as All-League in the Scholar-Athlete Team in March and was committed to the University of Hartford for softball.
Once it became known of Marchese’s hospitalization, a GoFundMe page was started, and within a day raised nearly $20,000. By Tuesday, June 17, the site had raised over $60,000.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Melissa and the Marchese family,” Joseph Dwyer, the GoFundMe organizer, wrote to the page. “Thank you all for your generous donations during this time of unthinkable sadness and utter despair. God Bless.”
The school district canceled senior finals June 14 and made mental health staff available. The district also invited students to the high school library Saturday for staff to support them.
Melissa Marchese. Photo from SWR School District
Shoreham has become well known for tragedies of this kind. In 2014 the community grieved for Tom Cutinella, who died due to a head injury on the football field. In 2018, the community wrapped hundreds of red ribbons on flagpoles to memorialize Andrew McMorris, who was killed by a drunk driver while out on a hike with his Boy Scout troop.
The Andrew McMorris and Tom Cutinella memorial foundations both shared their condolences on their Facebook pages.
“No one should ever have to go through this,” a post to the Tom Cutinella Memorial Foundation Facebook page read.
Marchese’s wake will be held at Branch Funeral Home, located at 551 Route 25A in Miller Place, on June 20 from 7 to 9 p.m. and June 21 from 2 to 5 p.m. and at 7 to 9 p.m. Marchese’s funeral procession will leave the funeral home at approximately 9:30 a.m. on June 22. A Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. at St. Mark’s R.C. Church, located at 105 Randall Road in Shoreham.
This article has been updated to reflect the name of the eighth-grader who Marchese helped up.
Smithtown East sophomore Bridget Campanelli makes the play at 1st in a Suffolk class AA quarterfinal on the road against West Islip May 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East’s Courtney Hohenberger a senior in her 5th year on varsity from behind the plate in a Suffolk class AA quarterfinal on the road against West Islip May 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Courtney Hohenberger a Smithtown East senior and 5 year varsity player keeps the ball out front in a Suffolk class AA quarterfinal on the road against West Islip May 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Courtney Hohenberger a Smithtown East senior a five year varsity player smacks the ball straight away in a Suffolk class AA quarterfinal against West Islip May 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Hanna Brozyna a senior at Smithtown East drills the ball against West Islip in a quarterfinal double elimination game May 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Senior pitcher Marina Amicizia easily grabs the infield pop-up for Smithtown East in a class AA quarterfinal on the road against West Islip May 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Senior Marina Amicizia smacks a grounder for Smithtown East in a class AA quarterfinal on the road against West Islip May 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East conference on the mound May 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Marina Amicizia a senior throws the runner out at first for Smithtown East in a class AA quarterfinal on the road against West Islip May 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Hanna Brozyna a senior at Smithtown East tracks down a fly ball against West Islip in a quarterfinal double elimination game May 22. Photo by Bill Landon
A fast ball from Smithtown East senior Marina Amicizia a four year varsity player in a class AA quarterfinal round against West Islip May 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East junior Sammi Swenson a 4 year varsity player easily throws the runner out at first against West Islip May 22nd. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East junior Sammi Swenson a 4 year varsity player hits a dribbler down the 3rd base line against West Islip May 22nd. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East junior Sammi Swenson slides safely home for a 2-0 lead in the opening inning on the road against West Islip May 22nd. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East’s Savannah Coffelt with a deep shot to centerfield in a class AA quarterfinal on the road against West Islip May 22nd. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East junior Tori Hussey hits one deep in a class AA quarterfinal on the road against West Islip May 22nd. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East senior Savannah Coffelt grabs the pop-up in foul territory against West Islip May 22nd. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East senior Savannah Coffelt in her 5th season on varsity smacks one to left field in a class AA quarterfinal on the road against West Islip May 22nd. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East senior Savannah Coffelt in her 5th season on varsity makes the play against West Islip May 22nd. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East senior Savannah Coffelt throws to 1st against West Islip in a Suffolk class AA playoff game May 22nd. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East’s softball team broke out to a two-run lead in the top of the first inning and West Islip answered back in the bottom of the inning in a Suffolk Class AA quarterfinal round May 22, but from there the Bulls bats went silent. West Islip crept ahead scoring a run in the third, fourth and sixth inning to win the game 5-2. In double elimination play the Bulls, the No. 5 seed, went to the loser bracket where they hosted No. 11 seed Lindenhurst the following day in a must win game to stay alive in the postseason.
The Bulls won out against Lindenhurst, and will face Bellport May 25 to see if they will move on in the bracket May 25 with start at 2 p.m.
The Patriots smell victory in an extra innings game at home against Sachem East May 16. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Kristina Maggiacomo makes an easy play at first for the out in a home game against Sachem East May 16. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville sophomore Makaela West makes the play in right field in an extra innings game against visiting Sachem East May 16. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Micayla O’Sullivan hits one deep in an extra innings game at home against Sachem East May 16. Photo by Bill Landon
Eighth-grader Alicea Pepitone looks to lay down the bunt for Ward Melville in an extra innings game at home against Sachem East May 16. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Maya Pena-Lobel hits a long ball straight away against Sachem East May 16. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville shortstop Maya Pena-Lobel throws the runner out at first at home against Sachem East May 16. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Lexi Sullivan slides safely home. Photo by Bill Landon
It’s been a long time since the Patriots softball team has made the playoffs and it all came down to the last game of the regular season at home against Sachem East on senior day.. It would take extra innings to decide the game but Ward Melville punched their ticket to make the postseason on a passed ball in the bottom of the ninth, winning the game, 8-7.
According to head coach Joseph Burger, the Patriots last postseason appearance was back in 2002. Ward Melville senior Kristina Maggiacomo went the distance for the win, pitching nine complete innings striking out six. Maggiacomo had two RBI’s on two hits and eighth-grader Alicea Pepitone drove in two runs on three hits.
At 8-8 in Suffolk league I, the Patriots will be a low seed and have their work cut out for them as there are four out-bracket games May 18 with the opening round of the playoffs Monday, May 20.
Smithtown East junior Tori Hussey hits a fly ball in a home game against North Babylon May 14. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East senior Savannah Coffelt, a five year varsity player handles a bunt and fires to first base in a home game against North Babylon May 14. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East junior Sammi Swenson drills one deep against North Babylon at home May 14. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East junior Sammi Swenson hits a long ball against North Babylon at home May 14. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East junior Sammi Swenson tosses the ball to second base for the out against visiting North Babylon May 14. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East senior Hanna Brozyna, a 5 year varsity player throws in from outfield in a home game against North Babylon May 14. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East senior Hanna Brozyna makes the catch against North Babylon at home May 14. Photo by Bill Landon
Freshman outfielder Kayleigh Makarick makes the play for the Bulls in a home game against North Babylon. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East sophomore Jackie Pedley makes the play for the out against visiting North Babylon May 14. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East junior Sammi Swenson is greeted at the plate after a home run against visiting North Babylon May 14. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East senior Hanna Brozyna, a 5 year varsity player makes the catch in a home game against North Babylon May 14. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East junior Caitlin Wilkinson with a big hit against visiting North Babylon May 14. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East’s Caitlin Wilkinson fouls one off to stay alive against visiting North Babylon May 14. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East senior Brianna Nelson unloads from the circle against visiting North Babylon May 14. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East senior shortstop Ashley DeGiorgio fires to 1st base in a home game against North Babylon May 14. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East senior shortstop Ashley DeGiorgio grabs the infield grounder against North Babylon May 14. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East senior shortstop Ashley DeGiorgio drives in a run against North Babylon May 14. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East senior shortstop Ashley DeGiorgio turns the double play at home against North Babylon May 14. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East managed a one-run lead after the opening inning, but the North Babylon bats came alive in the top of the second, scoring three and from there the Bulls’ bats went silent. North Babylon plated two in the top of the fifth as Smithtown East scored a run in the bottom of the second, but it was too little too late as the Bull’s fell 6-3 in a home game May 14.
The bright spot for the Bulls was Sammi Swenson, who ripped a homer over the centerfield fence driving in a run. With the win North Babylon stays atop the League III leaderboard with West Islip in second place and at 11-4 the Bulls are third, two games back.
Smithtown East plays its final game of the regular season May 16 where they’ll host Newfield before they ready their bats for postseason play. Game time is set for 4 p.m.
Port Jeff sophomore Evelyn Walker from behind the plate in a Royal’s 13-1 victory over visiting Southold/Greenport May 6. Photo by Bill Landon
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Port Jeff senior Lia Desmond bends the bat against Southold/Greenport at home May 6. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff senior Lia Desmond with a base hit against Southold/Greenport at home May 6. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff shortstop Gabby Sanchez tags the runner out at second against visiting Southold/Greenport May 6. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff senior Ashley Catoggio smacks a grounder against Southold/Greenport at home May 6. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff shortstop Gabby Sanchez throws to first base for the out against visiting Southold/Greenport May 6. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff freshman Annie Maier drills the ball through the gap against Southold/Greenport at home May 6. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff senior Chloe Andriani handles the infield popup against Southold/Greenport at home May 6. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff senior Gabby Sanchez makes the play at shortstop against visiting Southold/Greenport May 6. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff sophomore Emily Brown arrives safely at third in a Royal’s 13-1 victory over visiting Southold/Greenport May 6. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff sophomore Evelyn Walker from behind the plate in a Royal’s 13-1 victory over visiting Southold/Greenport May 6. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff sophomore Emily Brown drills the ball deep to right field against Southold/Greenport May 6. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff senior Chloe Andriani drills the ball up the middle for a base hit against Southold/Greenport May 6. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff senior Ashley Catoggio drills the ball to left field against Southold/Greenport at home May 6. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff senior Chloe Andriani slides home to score against Southold/Greenport at home May 6. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff senior Chloe Andriani smacks the ball straight away against Southold/Greenport May 6. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff freshman Abby Rolfe from the circle goes the distance against Southold/Greenport at home May 6. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff senior Ashley Catoggio drives one deep against Southold/Greenport at home May 6. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff freshman Abby Rolfe bends the bat for a base hit against Southold/Greenport at home May 6. Photo by Bill Landon
By Bill Landon
After trailing by a run in the opening inning, Port Jefferson’s softball team had to be patient at the plate and let the game come to them in a league VI matchup notching a 13-1 victory over visiting Southold/Greenport May 6. It was a must win game for the Royals, who must also win the final game of the regular season to make the playoffs.
Port Jeff’s Abby Rolfe, the freshman pitcher, was the spark for the Royals going four for four at the plate, scoring three times with three RBIs, as well as winning from the circle. The victory propels the Royals to 6-7 in league and will lead them to face Mattituck for their final game of the regular season at home May 8.First pitch is at 4:15 p.m.
Shoreham-Wading River shortstop Katlynn McGivney makes the play at 2nd base at home against Miller Place April 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River shortstop Katlynn McGivney makes the play at 2nd base at home against Miller Place April 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Hannah Burton rips a ground ball in an extra innings game against Shoreham-Wading River April 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Winning pitcher Genna Baudo delivers for Shoreham-Wading River in an extra innings game against Miller Place April 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Sophomore Genna Baudo fields an infield popup for Shoreham-Wading River in an extra innings game against Miller Place April 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place’s Carissa Militano scores a run in an extra innings game against Shoreham-Wading River April 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Brooke Proffit throws in from right field in a road game against Shoreham-Wading River April 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Brooke Proffit scores a run for the Panthers in a road game against Shoreham-Wading River April 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River senior Melissa Marchese During an April 22 Softball game. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place’s Maddie Power takes a cut in an extra innings game against Shoreham-Wading River April 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Brooke Proffit throws in from right field in a road game against Shoreham-Wading River Apr. 22nd. Photo by Bill Landon
Brooke Proffit scores a run for the Panthers in a road game against Shoreham-Wading River April 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River shortstop Katlynn McGivney Katlyn McGiveny throws to 3rd base against Miller Place April 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River senior Katlynn McGiveny rounds 2nd base for a standup triple against Miller Place April 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Hannah Burton throws from the mound in an extra innings game against Shoreham-Wading River April 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Hannah Burton scores a run for Miller Place in an extra innings game against Shoreham-Wading River April 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Ann Marie McNulty drives the ball for Miller Place in an extra innings game against Shoreham-Wading River April 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place’s Carissa Militano rips one deep in a game against Shoreham-Wading River April 22. Photo by Bill Landon
By Bill Landon
Miller Place’s softball team was down in runs for most of the game at Shoreham-Wading River Wildcats April 22, but the team rallied in the top of the seventh,scoring four unanswered runs to tie the game against SWR at 11-11 to force extra innings.
It was Wildcats freshman Lindsay Cahill’s bat that decided the game in the bottom of the ninth, driving home senior Katlynn McGivney to win the game, 12-11, in a League V matchup against their crosstown rival.
Sophomore pitcher Genna Baudo was credited with the win as the Wildcats improve to 3-6 in league. The loss drops the Panthers to 6-3 with seven games left to play before the postseason. The Wildcats will need to win four games out of their remaining schedule to extend their season.
The crosstown rivals will take on two of the South Fork teams April 25, with visiting Miller Place taking the field against East Hampton for a 10 a.m. start. The Wildcats will host Westhampton with first pitch also at 10 a.m.
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