Bay Shore's Anderson still holds state HR mark

Samantha Capobianco went on a home run hitting tear this season, but she was nowhere close to approaching history.

In 1991, Bay Shore's Darleen Anderson, now Darleen Chichester, set the state mark with 17 home runs and 71 RBIs. That's a decent total for an entire major-league baseball season, nevermind 20-something games.

"I kind of wonder myself how those records are still standing. It's been a long time," Chichester said. "The pitching has definitely gotten a little better since then. But the funny thing is, the faster the girls threw, the better I hit. Had they only known to throw me a changeup, I probably would have struck out every time."

After going undefeated in the 1991 regular season, Bay Shore was upset in the semifinals that year. Anderson went on to play softball at Iona College - leading the nation with 17 doubles in 1992 - before marrying her high school sweetheart and becoming a math teacher at Patchogue-Medford high school.

"Some of my students ask me, 'Were you any good? Did you hit any home runs?' " said Chichester, who lives in Sayville. "I tell them, 'Actually, I hold a state record.' "

For the regular season; statistics as reported by coaches to Newsday.com

Sam Capobianco12

Glenn

Lyndsay Coppola8

Lindenhurst

Correy Dennihan8

Friends Academy

Lindsay Montemarano7

Seaford

Jenn Almonte7

Longwood

Colleen Smith7

East Islip

Nicole Hagenah7

Commack