Nassau Conference AA-I softball preview
East Meadow's Kerri Shapiro pitches against MacArthur on April 3, 2013. Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
Coach: Stew Fritz
2013 record: 18-9
Key players
Kerri Shapiro, P, Sr.
Madison West, C, Sr.
Claire Travis, OF, Sr.
Marisa San Antonio, OF, Sr.
Crista San Antonio, 3B, So.
Outlook: One win shy of a state title last season, the Jets return one of Long Island's best batterymates in Shapiro and West and speedy outfields in Travis and San Antonio.
Coach: Bobby Fehrenbach
2013 record: 15-11
Key players
Kristen Arbiter, C/SS/OF, Sr.
Kirsten Kelley, OF/1B, Sr.
Lyndsey Balder, 3B/P, Sr.
Nicolette Moustouka, OF/P/C, Jr.
Shannon Myles, C/SS. Fr.
Outlook: The offense will have to compensate for the loss of pitcher Ashley Massoni, who is sidelined due to injury. Arbiter is a line drive hitter with power to all fields and Kelley is a tough out atop the lineup.
Coach: Mike Muscara
2013 record: 13-6
Key players
ToniMarie Valeriano, P, Sr.
Christine Rizzacasa, IF/OF, Sr.
Amanda Fucci, 3B, Sr.
Kelcey Taylor, SS, Sr.
Nicole Aliberti, C, Jr.
Outlook: Valeriano, the reigning Nassau County pitcher of the year, hits her spots, moves the ball, and features a nasty screwball. Rizzacasa is a great gap hitter atop a lineup that is fast and powerful.
Coach: Bret Malone
2013 record: 12-7
Key players
Rachel Sieber, SS, Sr.
Emily Gaeta, 1B/3B, Sr.
Krista Carcaterra, P, Jr.
Darby Pandolfo, C, So.
Kelle Lalier, So.
Outlook: The entire infield returns led by captains, Sieber, who is as good as it gets defensively at short, and Gaeta, who is not afriad to get dirty at third.
Coach: Joe Supple
2013 record: 6-14
Key players
Claire McNamara, SS Jr.
Jeannie Callanan 3B Sr.
Megan McNamara, CF Jr.
Grace Bandini, C, Soph.
Paige Seitz, P, Sr.
Outlook: The McNamara twins hit atop the order of a lineup that should take the next step offensively. Very sound defensive team that covers a lot of ground and has plenty of strong arms.
Sarra Sounds Off Ep. 35: EI baseball, girls lacrosse and plays of the week On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," we look at East Islip baseball's inspirational comeback story, Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week and Tess Ferguson breaks down the top defensive players in girls lacrosse.
Sarra Sounds Off Ep. 35: EI baseball, girls lacrosse and plays of the week On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," we look at East Islip baseball's inspirational comeback story, Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week and Tess Ferguson breaks down the top defensive players in girls lacrosse.
