The PSAL softball season couldn’t have ended any better.
Tottenville and James Madison went toe to toe for 10 innings Saturday in the ‘A’ championship game. It was a classic battle of attrition. Aces Cheryl Lopez and Kayla Hill were both incredible. Who would budge first?
The Pirates finally scratched across a run in the bottom of the 10th and celebrated wildly at home plate. After not winning it all last year, this might have been the most satisfying crown yet for coach Cathy Morano and her girls. And they couldn’t have picked a more exciting game to do it in.
In the ‘B’ final, Telecommunications came all the way back from a 6-0 deficit in the very first inning to beat American Studies, 14-9.
Here’s how the final rankings of the year look:
1. Tottenville (21-0) (Last week: 1)
Cheryl Lopez was absolutely magnificent for 10, long innings and Samantha Mattsson made her career performance stand up by never slowing down, going first to home on a Victoria McFarland blooper and Madison misplay. When Mattsson slid in, Tottenville had won its seventh PSAL city title in eight years – and gotten the revenge the Pirates sought against James Madison. Coach Cathy Morano has held the trophy in seven of her nine years on the bench.
Next: Season complete
2. James Madison (18-2) (2)
It looked like Kayla Hill just wouldn’t let Madison lose, like she would be blanking the best lineup in the city if the game went 20 innings. But in the 10th, two Tottenville singles and a miscue in the outfield led to the game’s only run. Hill was the hard-luck loser and the Knights were unable to defend their title. Still, there were few tears shed by the girls from Brooklyn. After graduating five starters from 2010, this group almost won it all again.
Next: Season complete
3. Construction (15-2) (3)
The Red Hawks looked great in hanging up eight runs in a single inning in their 11-4 quarterfinal win over Clinton. But then they ran into Madison and the Kayla Hill buzzsaw in the semis. Hill shut Construction out, sending the upstart program home after its best-ever season. There is plenty to like about the Ozone Park squad next year, especially freshman pitcher Britney Rodriguez.
Next: Season complete
4. Francis Lewis (15-2) (5)
Losing 10-0 in five innings to Tottenville in the semifinals wasn’t coach Bryan Brown’s idea of going down fighting. However, he couldn’t help but say that his team had a very good season. Brown was just being honest. Lewis made the semifinals for the first time since 2004 and it was also his first final four. With the Lallave sisters back, the Patriots could return in 2012.
Next: Season complete
5. Susan Wagner (16-4) (4)
The Falcons showed incredible heart by coming all the way back from a 7-0 deficit only to have their season end with the potential tying run stranded on third base against Francis Lewis in the quarterfinals. Wagner’s streak of four straight final fours was snapped, but making it to the semifinals would have been somewhat of a surprise with this young group.
Next: Season complete
6. Clinton (13-3) (6)
Back where coach Richie Eaton feels like his team belongs, Clinton actually had a late lead against Construction in the quarterfinals until the Red Hawks exploded for an eight-run inning. The Governors will have to go back to the drawing board in their attempt to make a first semifinals. Eaton will graduate key players like ace Tayna Pena and leadoff hitter Marigold Yin.
Next: Season complete
7. McKee/S.I. Tech (14-5) (7)
Jess Ragucci couldn’t ask for much more than what her team put forth in the quarterfinals against Tottenville. Blayse Halvorsen was superb and MSIT fell just 3-1 to the city’s best team. It was the end of a good year and a better playoff run, but watch out for the Seagulls next year. Halvorsen is only a freshman and she’s on her way to becoming the next great Tech pitcher.
Next: Season complete
8. Environmental Studies (13-5) (8)
It was almost one of the biggest upsets in recent PSAL softball playoff memory. Environmental Studies was trailing just 2-1 against James Madison in the quarterfinals until Knights sophomore Breanna DePasquale put things out of reach with a two-run home run. The Eagles had an incredible year, advancing to their first quarterfinals. The program has come a long way.
Next: Season complete
9. Bryant (11-4) (9)
With a roster loaded with sophomores, there’s no reason why Bryant can’t be in among the final eight teams next year. Ace Tiffany Zecena should be a year better and coach Wally Hausdorf will get back catcher Sarah Temkin, who broke her hand and missed the majority of the season.
Next: Season complete
10. Cardozo (10-4) (10)
Sophomore ace Shelby Yacovone has a bright future, as does sophomore shortstop Krystle Roldan. Look for Cardozo to return to the form that got the Judges to two straight PSAL semifinals in 2009 and 2010 before long. Just one senior starter will graduate.
Next: Season complete
New: None
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: InTech Academy (10-5), Bayside (9-6), Bushwick (12-5), Riverdale/Kingsbridge (7-8), LaGuardia (10-6), Manhattan Center (9-7) and Telecommunications (21-0)