Sleepy Hollow Softball Players Earn Post-Season Awards

It was quite a year for the Sleepy Hollow softball squad, which went 13-7 during the regular season, earning itself the No. 10 seed in the Section 1 Class A tournament against No. 7 Ardsley.  

The Lady Horsemen almost pulled off the upset as they led 3-1 going into the bottom of the sixth inning before losing 10-3, which ended their season.

Four players that helped put Sleepy Hollow in the sectionals this year were sophomore pitcher Jamie Bucci, sophomore shortstop Jen Onwe, junior center fielder Brittany Brand and senior catcher Jessica Bucci.   

For their efforts, Jamie Bucci was named all-section, Onwe all-section honorable mention with Brand and Jessica Bucci each being named all-league.    

Sleepy Hollow coach Tony Milewski acknowledged that the season his squad had would not have been possible without the efforts of the above four players.   

"They were a big reason why we had a much better season then I had anticipated," Milewski said. "Those four batted first, second, third and fourth and they did a great job leading our offense."   

Leading Sleepy Hollow on the mound was Jamie Bucci. Milewski said that Jamie Bucci is great athlete who is able to do anything that is asked of her. The amazing thing is that Jamie Bucci never took pitching lessons, instead she just taught herself the nuances of being a pitcher.   

"All her work came just in the month we had practice in March and she did great," Milewski said. "You can't say more than that. She is a two-time all-section player, including this year. She probably should be an Division I center fielder in college if she ever gets to play there and thankfully her summer-ball team will put her there."    

Jamie Bucci was also great at the plate as her speed caused havoc for the opposition once she got on base. Milewski estimated that her and Onwe each hit between .450 and .500.  

"Jen Onwe is a natural hitter," Milewski said. "She had more doubles and triples then she had singles."   

The fact that Jamie Bucci and Jen Onwe still have two years left on the varsity is a very good sign for Sleepy Hollow's future. What will also help them next season is that Brand has one more year left with the Lady Horsemen.   

"Brittany is a very good center fielder," Milewski said. "She is able to run down the ball. Even if it's past her, she will track it down and catch it. She also has a tremendous arm. She also hit in the neighborhood of .350."   

Unfortunately for Milewski, Jessica Bucci will be graduating this June and will be very hard to replace according to the Sleepy Hollow coach.    

"Jess has been on varsity for four years," Milewski said. "She works hard and you won't get a better captain. Every kid on the team likes her. She is a great leader and great catcher, she throws out 90 percent of the runners. She was tremendous."