Sports Recap: Locals Enjoy Big Victories

Greeley softball

After losing two games during the week, Horace Greeley (7-3) rebounded with a big 1-0 win against visiting Ursuline on May 7.

“This was a big game for us to win, since we had lost our last two games,” Greeley sophomore pitcher Jamie Weisser said. “It really helped get our confidence back and everything. It was an important win for us.”

Greeley got the only run in the sixth inning when Weisser doubled to knock in junior first baseman Meryl Rosenberg. Rosenberg herself got on base with her own double.

“The pitch was actually a change-up,” Weisser said. “As soon as I saw it, I told myself I had to hit it so I just relaxed and hit it.”

Weisser then acknowledged how important it was for Rosenberg to set the table for her.

“Her double was great,” Weisser said. “She is having great season with the bat this year and at first base she is amazing, she is a great first baseman. She has been a big help to the team this year.”

On the mound, Weisser improved to 6-2. She struck out seven in going the distance while throwing the shutout in a game in which a goose egg was needed to win.

“This game was obviously very intense,” Weisser said. “It was very tough to keep your composure through each inning. Going into the last inning I just knew I had to keep my composure and battle the batters.”

Weisser also shined in a 3-2 loss in eight innings at Rye Neck, where she struck out 12. Rosenberg and junior Julia Keegan registered two hits apiece at Rye Neck.

“This is Julia’s first year on varsity and she has been a great help,” Weisser said. “She has helped us out in the lineup and defensively,” Weisser said.

Fox Lane baseball

Fox Lane improved to 8-1 with two wins, each by the score of 19-4, against visiting Port Chester on May 5 and at Byram Hills May 6.

“Our coach (Matt Hillis) preaches a very aggressive approach at the plate,” Fox Lane senior co-captain and center fielder Donny Castaldo said. “One to nine, we can all hit and we hit in clutch situations. Every day at practice we have hitting stations. We work our butts off every day, day in and day out.”

Castaldo was particularly hot against Port Chester, where he went 3 for 4 with 5 RBI.

“I was just looking for pitches to drive and I got my pitches to drive with men on base,” Castaldo said.

Castaldo is confident that the team’s success will continue because of its track record.

“I have been on the team at Fox Lane since I was a sophomore and we have always been successful,” Castaldo said. “We have a good reputation around the section. We just work hard and our coaching staff does a great job. We have a pitching coach (Stan Latimer), we have coach Diz (Di Fiore), who really does all the stats and stuff. He plays music for us at our home games. It really adds to the atmosphere at home. We are 5-0 at home.”

Fox Lane girls lax

Fox Lane continued its perfect season as it defeated visiting New Canaan 11-10 on May 7, giving the Foxes a 14-0 record.

“It was a big win for us,” Fox Lane senior co-captain and All-American Lindsay Toppe said. “They were a tough team and to get a win against them was huge.”

Toppe scored a game-high six goals for Fox Lane, followed by teammate and fellow All-American, junior Sammy Jo Tracy, who registered four goals. Junior Sydney Stern tallied a goal and four assists and sophomore Katie Burbank contributed an assist.

While Toppe and Tracy rightfully so get the attention, Toppe points out that Stern is a vital part of the Fox Lane offense as well. She recorded her 100th career assist in 18-4 triumph against visiting Byram Hills on April 29.

“Sydney is a big part of our offense,” Toppe said. “She is a great playmaker. She helps make what I do and Sammy Jo does possible. And as she proved against New Canaan, she can also score.”