Sports Recap: Softball Teams Start Off With Wins

Greeley defeats Westlake

Last year Horace Greeley finished 13-6, won its league and is looking to do so again this year. The Quakers got off to a good start this season when it captured a non-league victory, an 8-3 triumph against host Westlake, on April 2, in their opener.

“It was amazing,” Horace Greeley sophomore winning pitcher Jamie Weisser said. “Last year, we lost a lot of seniors so it’s like you are rushing going into this game but we really played well for our first game.”

Weisser, who allowed no earned runs against Westlake in a complete-game effort, knows that a lot will be expected of her and the Quakers other younger players but she says she is ready for the challenge.

“I love the pressure, it energizes me,” Weisser said. “It makes me play better. I feel like it puts the pressure on me to be a better player. I think it will be a good year this year.”

The Quakers, up 4-3 going into the seventh, broke open the game with four runs in their last at bat.

“That was huge,” Weisser said. “Before that I was extremely nervous going into the last inning, knowing that the game was on the line. The four runs that we earned that inning gave me closure.”

Junior first baseman/pitcher Meryl Rosenberg had two RBI with junior shortstop/centerfielder Danielle Walkerwicz registering two hits and two RBI.

“They are great players,” said Weisser, who also contributed two hits at the plate. “They are definitely strong parts of our infield who play different positions that will be a huge help for this team.”

Senior catcher Hannah Marks will be a huge help to Weisser behind the plate.

“We have a great relationship,” Weisser said. “Having a senior as a catcher I think is great. Having her to lean on, knowing that it’s going to be her and I in the game one on one, you need to have a great relationship with that person. Together we make a good team.”

Freshman second baseman Ali Leroy will also provide strength up the middle for a Quakers squad that is looking to get past the first round of the Section 1 Class AA tournament this year after losing to Scarsdale in the opening round a year ago.

“I am hoping and I think we have a great chance of winning the league again,” Weisser said. “I hope we get to the sectionals and make it farther than we did last year. We definitely have a chance and that would be great if we could improve upon what we did a year ago.”

Lombardi leads Foxes

Led on the mound and at the plate by winning junior pitcher Allison Lombardi, Fox Lane rolled to an opening day 14-3 triumph against visiting Westlake on March 31.

Fox Lane, who finished 12-8 and lost to Ursuline in the opening round of the sectionals a year ago, got off to a quick start in the game as it led 7-0 after two innings and didn’t look back.

“During the practices, we could tell that we have a real good team this year and it was nice to see it come together for the first game,” Lombardi said. “Everyone was hitting well and playing good defense behind me.”

Lombardi, who pitched a complete-game and allowed just one earned run, also had a big day at the plate by registering three hits and four RBI.

“We have a team of good hitters,” Lombardi said. “That definitely helped. I also think some of it had to do with the 43 feet, which the mound was moved back to this year (from 40 feet). That is going to make a difference for the hitters this year.”

Lombardi said that she is fine with them moving the mound back.

“That is how they play in travel and college,” Lombardi said. “It definitely gives a huge advantage to the hitter, you get to see it longer, the pitchers don’t seem as fast anymore. That’s going to help. Defensively, I have been practicing 43 feet, trying to build the speed back. I think it will be a good thing for our team.”

Senior Fox Lane first baseman/pitcher Toni Ann Licata, who will play at the University of Maryland next year, contributed two hits and three RBI to the victory.

“Toni  has been on the team since she was in eighth grade,” Lombardi said. “I have known her since I was a freshman, this is my third year playing with her. A lot of the girls have been here for a while so she is just the natural leader on our team. She is a great person to follow on and off the field.”

Other juniors on the team who have been playing on Fox Lane’s varsity squad along with Lombardi since they were freshman are outfielder Brittany Ciullo, catcher/third baseman Jenna D’Adamo, shortstop Bella Rago and second baseman Natalie Beyer.

Lombardi’s sister, Christie, is a sophomore who plays a key role for the Foxes at catcher and third base.