Whiz Kids: JHS Softball Team

Name: Johnston High School varsity softball team.

Accomplishment: After a rough start to the season, the Lady Panthers improved their record to 4-3 after a gutsy 2-1 win over Cranston East on April 30 and a 7-2 trouncing of North Providence on May 2.

Key To Awesomeness: Determination and teamwork. This is a team that doesn't quit — Exhibit #1 is Ariana Caffeso. Late in the Lady Panthers' April 30 contest against Cranston East, Caffeso slid into third base. She was safe — but injured her back on the play. Caffeso returned in the seventh inning.

Caffeso clearly didn't let the injury stop her from completing the game — during which she scored one of Johnston's runs en route to a tough 2-1 win against the 'Bolts.

Exhibit #2 is Bianca Rossi, who hit the decisive 3-run homer on May 2 against North Providence to blow the game open and give Johnston the 7-2 victory.

Alaina DeNoncour, Lindsey Haskins, Danielle Gawlik, Amanda Colombo, and Victoria St. Angelo also contributed hits to the wins over Cranston East and North Providence, and DeNoncour proved herself a tough competitor as she tallied four strikeouts in the seventh innings of the two recent games.

Coach Dave Iannuccilli e-mailed this comment: "The girls are understanding that you cannot win as individuals. Tt takes a team, and they have become a team over the last few weeks beginning with the big (April 22) win over Pilgrim."

Update: Coach Iannuccilli's comment was added after this article was first published.