Nassau League ABC-III softball preview

WHEATLEY WILDCATS

Coach: Christina Cambria

2015 record: 6-14

Key players

Samantha Palazzolo C/OF Sr.

Samantha Hurtado INF/P Jr.

Morgan Tursi P Sr.

Cara Mattiolo 2B Sr.

Jessica Hastings OF Soph.

Outlook: Palazzolo — who can hit, slap from both sides, and bunt — led the team in every offensive category last season. Hurtado can find the gaps to knock in runs and get into scoring position.

VALLEY STREAM NORTH SPARTANS

Coach: Dave Aguado

2015 record: 10-6

Key players

Samantha Estupinian 3B/SS Jr.

Kelly Kroez SS/P/3B Jr.

Victoria Rossetti P Fr.

Lalia Drosman 1B Soph.

Selina Patti 2B/OF Sr.

Outlook: Estupinian hits for average and holds runners with her strong arm in left field. Kroez, who hit .523 with 28 RBIs and 33 runs scored, was called a five-tool player by her coach.

JERICHO JAYHAWKS

Coach Kristina LoCastro

2015 record: 5-10

Key players

Rachel Hirschheimer P Sr.

Brianna Carone C Jr.

Emily Wexler SS/3B Jr.

Abby Shapiro 1B Sr.

Outlook: Hirschheimer, also a leadoff hitter with speed, keeps her composure under pressure in the circle and fields her position well. Carone frames pitches and blocks well.

WANTAGH WARRIORS

Coach: Christine Moran

2015 record: 5-11

Key players:

Julia Van O’Linda C Sr.

Haley Monahan P Jr.

Jaclyn Ludwikowski 1B Soph.

Emily Van O’Linda SS 7th grade

Outlook: Great chemistry between the battery of Julia Van O’Linda and Monahan, who keeps hitters offbalance.

VALLEY STREAM SOUTH FALCONS

Coach: Demetri Adrahtas

2015 record: 9-7

Key players

Briana Schippell SS/P Sr.

Katie Shields 3B Sr.

Melanie Morales CF Sr.

Victoria Martucciello 1B Sr.

Isabella Secairo-Cotto P 8th

Outlook: Schippell, headed to Queens College, is one of the best power hitters and all-around talents on Long Island. An outstanding defensive shortstop with a strong arm, she can also hit her spots in the circle.

SOUTH SIDE CYCLONES

Coach: Kristen Aksionoff

2015 record: 7-9

Key players

Hanna Festa SS Sr.

Erin Dooney OF Jr.

Victoria Boldis 1B/C Sr.

Kaitlin Benincase CF Sr.

Stephanie Masotti 3B Sr.

Outlook: A young team that can make contact one through nine in the lineup. Festa sprays the ball to all fields and Dooney is a strong contact hitter.

MANHASSET INDIANS

Coach: Lauren Sadeh

2015 record: 10-8

Murphy McGorry SS/P Sr.

Delaney Flynn 2B/UTL Sr.

Marisa Sultana P/SS/CF Soph.

Cat Jones P Soph.

Nadia Sbuttoni 1B Jr.

Outlook: McGorry, with power at the plate and in the circle, is expected to pitch in big spots. Flynn is a solid contact hitter at the top of the lineup. Sultana is athletic and versatile.

CARLE PLACE FROGS

Coach: Chris Verde

2015 record: 7-9

Key players:

Kailee Pagnotta 2B Sr.

Julia Beattie CF Sr.

Nicole Amalfitano SS Sr.

Julianna Barratta 1B Sr.

Katie Hutter P Fr.

Outlook: Flexible lineup that is very strong up the middle. Pagnotta leads off and can get on base in a variety of ways. Beattie patrols the outfield and tracks the ball very well.