By Anthony Bosco
The Queens College softball team did not have a terrible year in 2002, finishing with a 25-18 record, good for sixth in the New York Collegiate Athletic Conference standings and third in the conference tournament.
As respectable as they were, the Lady Knights should certainly improve on those numbers this season. And one of the main reasons for that, said head coach Brian DeMasters, is the return to form of NYCAC Player of the Year Cheryl Cosenzo.
Cosenzo sat out her entire senior season due to injury after winning conference Player of the Year honors in her sophomore season and being second in the voting during her junior campaign. Now in grad school, Cosenzo is cashing in her final year of eligibility, much to her coach’s delight.
“She should help us out in a big way,” said DeMasters of his first baseman, who will also play some outfield.
But Cosenzo will not be alone in bringing the team back to NCAA Tournament, one of the goal set down by DeMasters, now in his 15th year coaching the team.
Sophomore infielder Crystal Wilson batted .413 last season and was named the NYCAC’s Freshman of the Year. Stephanie Santoro, the team’s ace a season ago, will also be back, but may be moved down to the No. 2 slot. When she is not pitching, Santoro, a .320 hitter and the team MVP a year ago, will play third.
Also considered to be key to the team’s success this year by DeMasters will be freshman pitcher Victoria Forsythe from Massapequa.
“She’s not one of those real hard throwers, but she’s just really tough to hit,” DeMasters said. “I think she’s going to be really effective.”
Another big newcomer should be Lisa Tropea, transfer from St. John’s, who was a three-year starter for the Red Storm behind the plate. After suffering an injury that sidelined her for her senior season, Tropea got her degree and enrolled at Queens for grad school.
Her addition to the Queens roster, DeMasters said, could be the most significant the team made. in the off-season.
“I’m going to go out on a limb and say she is going to be one of the best players in the conference,” DeMasters said. “I can put her anywhere on the field. She’ll do a lot of catching and play some third base for us.”
Queens made its annual sojourn down south and came back with a 2-5 record, but against quality opposition. According to DeMasters, his team played very well, which showed in the club’s games since returning.
Queens swept Philadelphia University Saturday and split with the powerful team from American International College Sunday.
“I am really happy,” the coach said. “I’m very enthusiastic this year.”
DeMasters said that the strongest competition in the conference should come from C.W. Post, a team that swept throughout the NYCAC regular season undefeated a season ago, and Adelphi. Post and Adelphi also happen to be the two teams to oust Queens from the NYCAC Tournament in 2002.
“Our goal is to get in the playoffs and try to win our conference and get an automatic bid,” DeMasters said. “Even if we don’t win the conference, I think we will be in contention for at large bid.”
Reach Sports Editor Anthony Bosco by e-mail at TimesLedger@aol.com or call 718-229-0300, Ext. 130.
