Beat notes

East Rockaway's softball team has won five county championships in the last six seasons. That's scary good. But what might be even more frightening to the opposition is the fact that they've got just two seniors and 13 underclassmen.

Among them is Gianna Cilluffo, a freshman brought up from junior varsity for the playoffs who became a hero in the Rocks' two-game sweep of Friends Academy in the Nassua Class C finals. She had four RBIs in the series, including two in their 3-1 win in Game 2.

"We haven't won a lot of low-scoring games," Rocks coach Joe Lores said, now in his 22nd year. "So for the game to have been that close, there was some anxiety. Then Gianna [singled] in Jessica Deptulski with an insurance run in the sixth, and that took a load off."

Kerrianne Vulpis was 4-for-5 with two RBIs in their 8-6 win in Game 2. Sophomores Becky Italiano and Katie Seifert, part of their three-person pitching staff with Stephanie Loughran, combined to contain the Quakers' high-powered offense, which entered averaging 11.5 runs per game.

Senior captains Allie and Kim Pacheco - no relation - weren't just along for the ride, though.

Allie, an all-county centerfielder, led with a .561 average, seven homers and 33 RBIs. Kim, a second baseman, hit .440.

Though there wasn't much of a celebration - just some handshakes and hugs. Even the newbies acted as if they've been there before. Perhaps believing there's a good chance they'll be back there again.