Cardozo continues winning ways

As Cardozo Manager Lawrence Alberts and his players basked in yet another dominant victory, there was one perplexing question that confounded them: When, exactly, was the origin of their unpredictable turnaround?
Some said it began with their third loss in four games to start the season to still-undefeated Bayside, a narrow setback that proved they were far better then their record would suggest. Others pointed to their first win - on the road no less - over perennial powerhouse Francis Lewis, just 13 days after they were routed by the Patriots. Ace pitcher Jaclyn Liebowitz said it was just the eventual molding of veterans and youngsters, the getting-to-know-each-other phase all teams go through.
Whenever the renaissance truly took shape isn’t nearly as important as where the Judges now reside: all alone in second place in Queens I-A, winners of nine straight and a 10-3 league mark. “It’s just changed so much,” said Liebowitz after she went the distance in a 12-1 victory over Townsend Harris for her fifth win. “We know we’re in every game. We don’t go in as the underdogs. In the back of our minds, we think we will win.”
The team that takes the field now is not too different from the one that began the season struggling, Alberts maintained. Two of their early-season losses came to perennial favorites Bayside and Francis Lewis, while a third, to mediocre Martin Van Buren, was due to a late-inning collapse.
“Even though the record looked terrible it wasn’t as bad as it seemed,” Alberts said. “I kept telling the girls, ‘believe in yourself.’ ”
There is no denying this talented ensemble. Only a sophomore, Liebowitz is becoming a dominant hurler, and when she finds trouble, Alberts has the luxury of calling on standout freshman Amanda Annicaro. “It’s nice to have two pitchers,” Alberts said. “I never had that before.”
Unlike their slow start, the Judges have become aggressive and confident at the plate and in the field. They force the issue on the bases, orchestrating double steals and taking the extra base. In the field is where they’ve shown the biggest change. In the loss to Francis Lewis, Cardozo made error after error, allowing 11 unearned runs.
Against Townsend Harris, even with several girls out of position because of a few injuries, they played a clean game. Second baseman Jennifer Lane made a nice play in shallow right field, third baseman Christi Brewer repeatedly picked grounders, shortstop Sandy Tomasik set the tone with a sweet throw from the hole, and outfielders ran down every ball in sight.
“I know I can let the (other team) hit it,” Liebowitz said. “I have a strong infield and outfield to back me up.”