Syrett, DeVito should thrive at Bay Shore

CLASS AA

For first time since the early 1980s, Bay Shore will be without coach Jim McGowan, who retired after 29 seasons and a state-record 657 wins.

Former Whitman coach David Rivera will usher in the post-McGowan era with a talented group capable of winning a third straight county title. Senior catcher and Ole Miss signee Courtney Syrett is a player who will combine for a talented battery with pitcher Michelle DeVito. Giana Panariello will play shortstop and bat leadoff. Rightfielder and cleanup hitter Briana Coan should be an RBI machine.

Opposing coaches are high on East Islip, which returns 12 players, including the senior trio of pitcher Courtney Blake, shortstop Lindsey Zenk and centerfielder Alyssa Groneman.

Class A champion Kings Park moves up to AA but has only one senior, returning All-League first baseman Reina Torlincasi.

Hauppauge will be led by senior shortstop Sandy Hawthorne, a five-year starter and an All-Long Island selection who hit .507 with 31 runs and 21 RBIs last year.

Smithtown East should make a playoff run with senior shortstop Maggie Engellenner and senior pitcher Samantha Moss (6-2, 1.09 ERA).

SEE PHOTOSSoftball players to watch

Connetquot will look to improve upon last year's quarterfinal appearance with junior first baseman Casey Shannon and freshman pitcher Erin Sweeney.

Sachem East has a standout catcher in senior Samantha Laird and additional senior leadership in first baseman Jessica Caruana.

Half Hollow Hills West returns the League IV Rookie of the Year, sophomore pitcher Francesca Casalino. Patchogue-Medford is a contender with catcher Meagan Anderson, a four-year starter who hit .541 last season. Deer Park is led by junior shortstop Sabrina Riley, and Commack has dynamic catcher Paige Swantek.

Other teams to watch include Longwood, Smithtown West and West Babylon.

CLASS A

Sayville moves to the head of the class. The Golden Flashes return all but one starter, including senior third baseman and 2011 League VI player of the year, Kira Karl. Senior pitchers Merissa Selts and Kathleen Maehr should provide depth on the mound.

Shoreham-Wading River has a talented battery with junior pitcher Chelsea Hawks and senior catcher Maddie Massa.

Islip has a crew of five seniors, including two-time All-Division selection Faith Laudano, who is moving from shortstop to catcher. All-League pitcher Vanessa Juengerkes should take a leap forward as a sophomore. East Hampton has a stout offensive group that includes Ellie Cassel and Sam Matthews. Miller Place sophomore pitcher Toni Carlo should pile up the shutouts.

CLASS B

Two-time defending champion Babylon might have Suffolk's top talent, six-year starter Christine Desiderio, who will pitch and play some second base and shortstop. Senior pitcher Tiana Giuliano is the staff ace, and third baseman Brianna Goodfellow (.550 last year) and shortstop Nicole Marro are both returning All-Division performers.

CLASS C

With only three teams competing in the class, five-time champion Port Jefferson should make it six straight. Cornell signee Michiko McGivney opted to play club ball this season, so the Royals will be highlighted by sophomore shortstop Morgan Sakovich.