2010 Pre-Season Suffolk Cnty Predictions

2010 Pre-Season Suffolk County Predictions

It is time to prepare to get the season under way for Suffolk County High School Softball. Fastpitch World will once again be out and about covering games that we feel will be games of the day as well as doing stories on some of the players that we feel do not get the ink that they may deserve.

Our first step into the season will be to make our pre season selections. We have contacted the coaches of our selections in each league and posted a few questions so they can tell us a little something about their programs. Here are our selections:

League 1: Commack High School

Head Coach: Harold Cooley

Commack was sailing along in the playoffs until they ran into a team no one saw coming in Riverhead. They come back this year with the hopes of avenging that loss.

Coach Cooley lost 3 key players with his SS, 1B and Catcher graduating but feels besides the team’s experience, he has the players ready to jump in and fill those holes. Coach Cooley expects teams Ward Melville and Sachem East to put pressure on them this year. When asked who he would need to step up this year and lead his squad, coach said that he expected both pitchers, Michelle Andrews and Annie Iacopelli as well as infielder Nicole Hagenah to lead by example as they are the most experienced on the team.

Coach Cooley feels Commack has the ingredients to go all the way and he knows one thing for sure and that is “the kids really want it”.

League 2: Bay Shore High School

Head Coach: Jim McGowan

The Bay Shore Marauders are back and once again, on paper, it appears they will finish on top. After losing in the county championship to eventual state champion Brentwood, the Marauders are poised to make another run at the title. Coming into the season Bay Shore lost two key player’s from the starting line up including Catcher and lead off hitter Nikki Surkes and Center fielder Jackie Massoni.

Coach Mcgowan feels he has a few players who can rotate in nicely. One player in particular is Nicole Marzillo, who is coming back from an injury that kept her out the whole season last year. According to McGowan, Nicole will be a nice fit in the middle of the order.

Bay Shore will keep an eye on teams like Walt Whitman and Lindenhurst, both of whom McGowan feels are very competitive. McGowan says he has a good team with two of the better pitchers on the island. With a nice blend of hungry players who are putting a lot of work in the off-season this team is definitely one to watch.

League 3: East Islip High School

Head Coach: Stephanie Nardone

East Islip was hit hard with the loss of pitcher of the year Meagan Sweezy. Coach Nardone knows that you cannot replace the pitcher of the year but says she feels good about the 3 pitchers ready to jump in and take over. Senior Rachel Dell’Orto and 10th graders Cortney Blake and Lindsey Zenk will share the circle. Coach thinks all three pitchers can keep them in each game.

East Islip has a mix of experienced and young players. Led by players such as Colleen Smith and Michelle McKinnon; East Islip will be knocking on the door again. The team also has some young players who Coach Nardone feels will make an impact. 9th grader Shelby Heyward will be an offensive weapon, while pitchers Courtney and Lindsey (listed above) play multiple positions and will have an impact on both sides of the ball.

Coach Nardone will keep a close eye on the competition and is not taking anyone lightly. Nardone feels as every year, they have a legitimate chance to take it all. She also added that she really loves the kids and it would mean so much to see them go all the way.

League 4: Riverhead High School

Head Coach: Bob Fox

Riverhead starts the season after a nice playoff run eliminating Commack HS. Many people thought Commack was a heavy favorite to win the game but not Coach Fox who said, “ Commack was very good and everyone knew that but I don’t think everyone really knew how hard our girls had worked to put themselves in the position to win that game”. The dream ended when they lost to Brentwood who Coach Fox said, “…were in a league of their own, they were loaded from top to bottom”.Coach Fox will be keeping an eye on teams like Deer Park (who is returning many players), West Babylon (who has pitching and is always tough), and Smithtown.

Fox feels if everything falls the right way, his team has a chance to go all the way. According to Fox, he has a good high school team that only lacks in travel ball experience, which he feels is very important. His emphasis on travel ball is because Coach believes a travel ball player gets in 50/60 extra games every year and sees tougher competition, which better prepares players for the season.

Riverhead does have a few travel players, such as Colleen Dougherty and Julia Morrow, whom coach Fox hopes can share their knowledge and help bring the team to the top. Fox loves the team he has and is looking forward to the season.

League 5: Eastport South Manor

Head Coach: Steve Giacolone

Eastport is returning everyone to a team that already has people trying to figure out how to get by them. Eastport has even added a player to an already strong squad in Amber Jones who missed all of last season to injury. Coach Giacolone hopes she can return to add a little something that might have been missing last year.

As strong as Eastport will be, Coach Giacolone will be watching Kings Park, who has Lindsey Taylor and a nice team behind her. Eastport will also be weary of Hauppauge, who Giacolone says is always tough.

Coach Giacolone feels his team is a contender with a good core group of players. He will need the whole team to step up this year and with the added experience gained from last year, Giacolone hopes it will give them the will to win and go after it harder than the previous year.

League 6: Sayville High School

Head Coach: Tiffany Rowan

Sayville comes into the season with somewhat of a target on their back as they surprised everyone last year and made it to the LI championship game. They won’t be able to sneak up on anyone this year and they have some very big holes to fill. Coach Rowan lost some big players this year with the number 2-3-4 hitters in their order graduated.

Coach Rowan knows there are holes to fill, but she also knows she has motivated kids who work extremely hard. Rowan thinks losing 4 key players will really force everyone to take it up a notch. Rowan finished up by saying, “I love my kids here, I really enjoy coaching them and I know they will do everything in their power to fill the gaps”.

League 7: Bayport High School

Head Coach: Krissy Meyer

Could not be reached for comment.

League 8: Port Jefferson High School

Head Coach: Debbie Brown

After losing in the regional game to Rhinebeck 2-0 last year Port Jefferson Coach Debbie Brown thinks the time is right to finish the job they started last year. Port Jeff returns the whole team from last year minus 1st baseman Sarah Hill. Coach Brown has a returning player in Leyla Echegaraly who is back after living in Sweden for the last 2 years. “Leyla played for me 2 years ago and she was a strong player with a great arm, I hope she will be able to fill the gap left open when Sarah graduated.”

Coach Brown feels her team could and should go all the way, barring any injuries. With the help from key players Michikl McGivney, Chelsea Tamuk and Ranee Marchewka Coach Brown looks to take the team to states.

Fastpitch World would like to give a special thank you to the coaches who made this story possible and wish all the high school teams on Long Island good luck on the season.

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2010 Pre-Season Suffolk County Predictions It is time to prepare to get the season under way for Suffolk County High School Softball. Fastpitch World will once again be out and about covering games that we feel will be games of the day as well as doing stories on some of the players that we feel do not get the ink that they may deserve. Our first step into the season will be to make our pre season selections. We have contacted the coaches of our selections in each league and posted a few questions so they can tell us a little something about their programs. Here are our selections: League 1: Commack High School Head Coach: Harold Cooley Commack was sailing along in the playoffs until they ran into a team no one saw coming in Riverhead. They come back this year with the hopes of avenging that loss. Coach Cooley lost 3 key players with his SS, 1B and Catcher graduating but feels besides the team’s experience, he has the players ready to jump in and fill those holes. Coach Cooley expects teams Ward Melville and Sachem East to put pressure on them this year. When asked who he would need to step up this year and lead his squad, coach said that he expected both pitchers, Michelle Andrews and Annie Iacopelli as well as infielder Nicole Hagenah to lead by example as they are the most experienced on the team. Coach Cooley feels Commack has the ingredients to go all the way and he knows one thing for sure and that is “the kids really want it”. League 2: Bay Shore High School Head Coach: Jim McGowan The Bay Shore Marauders are back and once again, on paper, it appears they will finish on top. After losing in the county championship to eventual state champion Brentwood, the Marauders are poised to make another run at the title. Coming into the season Bay Shore lost two key player’s from the starting line up including Catcher and lead off hitter Nikki Surkes and Center fielder Jackie Massoni. Coach Mcgowan feels he has a few players who can rotate in nicely. One player in particular is Nicole Marzillo, who is coming back from an injury that kept her out the whole season last year. According to McGowan, Nicole will be a nice fit in the middle of the order. Bay Shore will keep an eye on teams like Walt Whitman and Lindenhurst, both of whom McGowan feels are very competitive. McGowan says he has a good team with two of the better pitchers on the island. With a nice blend of hungry players who are putting a lot of work in the off-season this team is definitely one to watch. League 3: East Islip High School Head Coach: Stephanie Nardone East Islip was hit hard with the loss of pitcher of the year Meagan Sweezy. Coach Nardone knows that you cannot replace the pitcher of the year but says she feels good about the 3 pitchers ready to jump in and take over. Senior Rachel Dell’Orto and 10th graders Cortney Blake and Lindsey Zenk will share the circle. Coach thinks all three pitchers can keep them in each game. East Islip has a mix of experienced and young players. Led by players such as Colleen Smith and Michelle McKinnon; East Islip will be knocking on the door again. The team also has some young players who Coach Nardone feels will make an impact. 9th grader Shelby Heyward will be an offensive weapon, while pitchers Courtney and Lindsey (listed above) play multiple positions and will have an impact on both sides of the ball. Coach Nardone will keep a close eye on the competition and is not taking anyone lightly. Nardone feels as every year, they have a legitimate chance to take it all. She also added that she really loves the kids and it would mean so much to see them go all the way. League 4: Riverhead High School Head Coach: Bob Fox Riverhead starts the season after a nice playoff run eliminating Commack HS. Many people thought Commack was a heavy favorite to win the game but not Coach Fox who said, “ Commack was very good and everyone knew that but I don’t think everyone really knew how hard our girls had worked to put themselves in the position to win that game”. The dream ended when they lost to Brentwood who Coach Fox said, “…were in a league of their own, they were loaded from top to bottom”.Coach Fox will be keeping an eye on teams like Deer Park (who is returning many players), West Babylon (who has pitching and is always tough), and Smithtown. Fox feels if everything falls the right way, his team has a chance to go all the way. According to Fox, he has a good high school team that only lacks in travel ball experience, which he feels is very important. His emphasis on travel ball is because Coach believes a travel ball player gets in 50/60 extra games every year and sees tougher competition, which better prepares players for the season. Riverhead does have a few travel players, such as Colleen Dougherty and Julia Morrow, whom coach Fox hopes can share their knowledge and help bring the team to the top. Fox loves the team he has and is looking forward to the season. League 5: Eastport South Manor Head Coach: Steve Giacolone Eastport is returning everyone to a team that already has people trying to figure out how to get by them. Eastport has even added a player to an already strong squad in Amber Jones who missed all of last season to injury. Coach Giacolone hopes she can return to add a little something that might have been missing last year. As strong as Eastport will be, Coach Giacolone will be watching Kings Park, who has Lindsey Taylor and a nice team behind her. Eastport will also be weary of Hauppauge, who Giacolone says is always tough. Coach Giacolone feels his team is a contender with a good core group of players. He will need the whole team to step up this year and with the added experience gained from last year, Giacolone hopes it will give them the will to win and go after it harder than the previous year. League 6: Sayville High School Head Coach: Tiffany Rowan Sayville comes into the season with somewhat of a target on their back as they surprised everyone last year and made it to the LI championship game. They won’t be able to sneak up on anyone this year and they have some very big holes to fill. Coach Rowan lost some big players this year with the number 2-3-4 hitters in their order graduated. Coach Rowan knows there are holes to fill, but she also knows she has motivated kids who work extremely hard. Rowan thinks losing 4 key players will really force everyone to take it up a notch. Rowan finished up by saying, “I love my kids here, I really enjoy coaching them and I know they will do everything in their power to fill the gaps”. League 7: Bayport High School Head Coach: Krissy Meyer Could not be reached for comment. League 8: Port Jefferson High School Head Coach: Debbie Brown After losing in the regional game to Rhinebeck 2-0 last year Port Jefferson Coach Debbie Brown thinks the time is right to finish the job they started last year. Port Jeff returns the whole team from last year minus 1st baseman Sarah Hill. Coach Brown has a returning player in Leyla Echegaraly who is back after living in Sweden for the last 2 years. “Leyla played for me 2 years ago and she was a strong player with a great arm, I hope she will be able to fill the gap left open when Sarah graduated.” Coach Brown feels her team could and should go all the way, barring any injuries. With the help from key players Michikl McGivney, Chelsea Tamuk and Ranee Marchewka Coach Brown looks to take the team to states. Fastpitch World would like to give a special thank you to the coaches who made this story possible and wish all the high school teams on Long Island good luck on the season.