Coleen Jamison, a 23-year-old Adelphi graduate takes over the team from former coach…
By Anthony Bosco
The Mary Louis Academy was the runner-up for the Brooklyn/Queens softball title a year ago, but this year might be tougher than usual for the perennial title contender.
Coleen Jamison, a 23-year-old Adelphi graduate takes over the team from former coach Steve Contino. Jamison, who coached the junior varsity to the Brooklyn/Queens title last year, has six returning seniors to rely upon during her first year on the varsity level.
Marybeth and Roseann Agate will patrol first base and rightfield, respectively, while Jennifer Campuzanno will be the catcher and Cassie Contino will serve as the team’s designated hitter. Samantha Evangelista will play second and Chrissy Locascio will be in left field.
“I think we have a lot of returning players and they know what’s expected of them,” Jamison said. “I worked with the girls last year coming up from JV. Once we get it all together it’s going to come out very well.”
Junior pitcher Patricia Glauner will take over the starting duties on the mound abdicated by her sister Kim, now at Queens College. Sophomore Stephanie Gozdziewski will also be a vital component to the team on the hill.
Also on the team will be outfielders Elizabeth Strein, Carol Jeanne Kavanagh, Denise Passarelli and Brennan Sprauge and infielders Jennifer McGroaty, Elizabeth Berry and Catherine Cazzorla.
“I think our team is very deep,” Jamison said. “We have a lot of good players.”
St. Francis Prep, which lost in the B/Q semifinals to Bishop Kearney, will again be a threat for the Diocesan crown. Coach Ann Marie Rich is returning six starters from last year’s club, including catcher Nicole Malvica, third baseman Kristin Scanlon and shortstop Marina Ysaac.
Karla Grabher and Kristen McEvitt will likely be the team’s key starters, while sophomore Michelle Gutierrez is expected to make a big contribution in left field. Noel Rosselli, Marissa Evangelista, Christina Aracena, Noel Carlo, Theresa O’Doherty, Diana Cuppini, Eileen Strohm and Michelle Militello round out the roster.
“We’re very young,” Rich said. “I’ve been watching [the junior varsity] and I knew at the end of last year who would come up. They’re a strong group. They work well together.”
Christ the King, coached by Nick Melito, will also be in the running for the division crown, along with Brooklyn’s Stella Maris and Rockaway’s Bishop Kearney
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St. Agnes will be vying for the fourth and final playoff slot in the division this year, said coach Francis Leary, now in his 10th year at the school, whose undermanned team is “fed to the wolves’ in the only softball division the CHSAA offer for Queens teams.”
Pitcher Jill Zolli, shortstop Sue Donnelly and Jill Romango, who will play anywhere Leary needs her to play, will see the bulk of her time behind the plate. Freshman Stephanie Worko, a standout new addition to the team, will play either first or third for Agnes.
“She’s going to help a lot,” Leary said of Worko. “She can hit the ball. If we had a JV level she’d be very good.
“I think we can make the playoffs this year,” the coach added.
St. John’s Prep, coached by Donna Castillo, is also aiming for the fourth playoff spot.
Reach Sports Editor Anthony Bosco by e-mail at TimesLedgr@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 130.
