Hewlett Softball's Fresh Start

The Hewlett Bulldogs softball team was tied for the conference lead last April with a winning 5-4 record, when the team's head coach, Vinnie Lospinuso, had a heart attack.

After he missed the remainder of the 2010 season, the Bulldogs lost the next seven games, ending the year with a disappointing 5-11 record.

“Last year we had a tough season,” Lospinuso said.

While this wasn’t exactly how the girls hoped their season would have ended, they are back this time with a younger and stronger team, and most importantly, their coach is back as well.

“It’s good to have the coach back after being out most of last year,” said Mackie Sperry, starting pitcher for the Bulldogs. “Communication was a big problem last year."

There are three freshman starters on the roster, and while the team began this season with only one win in six games, all of the players are confidant they can have a successful second half.

“We have some players we think are going to be key for us this year,” Lospinuso said.

Sperry began this season by throwing a two-hitter, leading her team to a 12-2 victory against the team's non-league rivals at Freeport.

She is among four seniors on the team this year, and like the other veterans, her coach has asked her to help lead the underclassmen.

“This is her year to carry the load,” Lospinuso said. “She’s taking the place of an award-winning pitcher for us.”

Although she has been pitching for the past three years at Hewlett, this is Sperry's first year as Lospinuso’s “go-to”.

“So far, I think that as of right now we are just trying to build our confidence,” she said. “With practice, we are going to improve and do well.”

The team practices for two-and-a-half hours every week, Monday through Saturday, even taking the practice indoors for batting drills when the weather doesn’t allow field play.

Alexandra Gioia, a senior, has played shortstop on the varsity team for the last four years, and also has seen the highs and lows of her Bulldogs.

“I think we have a very athletic team,” Gioia said. “When we tie it together as a team, we will work together.”

The season so far and upcoming games:

3/26

at Freeport

W 15 - 0

3/29

vs Jericho

L 12 - 2

3/30

at Mineola

L 8 - 7

4/6

at Valley Stream North

L 3 - 0

4/7

vs West Hempstead

L 11 - 0

4/8

at Roslyn (East Hills School)

L 9 - 6

4/12

vs Lynbrook

W 4 - 3

4/13

vs Jericho

4:30 pm

4/15

vs Mineola

4:30 pm

4/29

at West Hempstead

4:30 pm

5/3

vs Valley Stream North

4:30 pm

5/4

vs Roslyn

4:30 pm

5/6

at Lynbrook (Atlantic Avenue)

4:30 pm