Suffolk League III softball preview
West Islip celebrates its 3-2 win over Bay Shore on Thursday, April 23, 2015. Credit: Photo by Alan J Schaefer
WEST ISLIP LIONS
Coach: James Farnworth
2015 record: 18-3
Key players
Rachel Wandzilak P/OF Jr. Sr.
Gianna Raimondi C Jr.
Amanda Arena 1B Jr. Jr.
Stephanie Neglia SS Jr.
Erin Schweers 3B So.
Outlook: Wandzilak went 12-0 with 137 strikeouts with an 0.69 ERA en route to winning Suffolk pitcher of the year. She also hit .485. Raimondi (.421) and Arena ( 574.) provide punch.
NEWFIELD WOLVERINES
Coach: Bill King
2015 record: 10-11
Key players
Jessica Clark SS So.
Danielle Balsamo 1B SR.
Outlook: Led by Clark, an all-county selection, the Wolverines have one of the top shortstops in the league. Clark led Newfield in batting average and fielding percentage the past two season.
SMITHTOWN EAST BULLS
Coach: Glenn Roper
2015 record: 13-7
Key players
Nicole DePaola CF Sr.
Christina DePaola LF Sr.
Morgan Catalanotto RF Jr.
Courtney Hohenberger C Fr.
Taylor Bigliani P So.
Outlook: The Bulls return their starting outfield, including Nicole DePaola, who hit .486 with 31 runs at leadoff and her sister Christina DePaola, who can drive the ball to all parts of the field.
CENTEREACH COUGARS
Coach: Sal Santoro
2015 record: 7-12
Key players
Lindsay Ness C Jr.
Karissa Menzinger P Sr.
Julianna Gamble 3B Sr.
Meghan Brajevich 2B Sr.
Heather Cicinnati OF Jr.
Outlook: Cougars return Ness, who led the team with a .391 batting average and drives the ball to all parts of the fields. Menzinger is poised in the circle, finishing all-league the previous two seasons.
NORTH BABYLON BULLDOGS
Coach: John Egan
2015 record: 17-4
Key players
Nahtica Sheppard C Jr.
Catherine Zucker CF So.
Marisa Sagona 2B Jr.
Madeline Davidson P Jr.
Ashley Wentz LF So.
Outlook: Sheppard, a standout behind the plate, hit .477 with 27 RBIs and possesses the type of arm and quickness that makes runners think twice about trying to advance a base. It’s hard to get a ball past Zucker’s speed in centerfield and Sagona has great range at second base.
RIVERHEAD BLUE WAVES
Coach: Jeff Doroski
2015 record: 10-10
Key players
Casey Plitt P Jr.
Jess Freeborn 2B/OF Sr.
Brit Staltare C Sr.
Kim Ligon INF So.
Ally O’Kula 3B So.
Outlook: Plitt, who lowered her ERA by more than 2.50 points last year, returns for her third season as the team’s starting pitcher after an All-Conference selection. Freeborn gives Riverhead defensive options with her utility but consistency at the top of the lineup.
SMITHTOWN WEST BULLS
Coach: Dave Miller
2015 record: 7-13
Key players
Kiley Magee 1B Jr.
Maria Caviris P Jr.
Kate Loffman C Jr.
Tara Killeen OF Jr.
Julia Chapman 2B Jr.
Outlook: Caviris takes over as the No. 1 pitcher and hit .444 last year. Magee is a line-drive hitter who batted over .500 last season and is defensively sound.
HUNTINGTON BLUE DEVILS
Coach: John Walsh
2015 record: 6-10
Key players
Sarah Grassi C Jr.
Annie Trousdell 2B Sr.
Kelsey Jamison DH/OF Sr.
Maya DelGiudice P Fr.
Janelle Fore OF Sr.
Outlook: The young team will rely on the experience of junior Grassi behind the plate and Trousdell and Jamison in the field.
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Newsday Live Author Series: Bobby Flay Newsday Live and Long Island LitFest present a conversation with Emmy-winning host, professional chef, restaurateur and author Bobby Flay. Newsday food reporter and critic Erica Marcus hosts a discussion about the chef's life, four-decade career and new cookbook, "Bobby Flay: Chapter One."
