By Joseph Staszewski
Queens continues to be a softball-rich borough.
It was home to first-time PSAL Class A girls city champion Construction. The Red Hawks ended Tottenville’s 117-game regular season winning streak and then rallied to beat the Pirates in the title game.
St. Francis Prep remained an elite squad, but lost a heartbreaker to Fontbonne in the diocesan final. Bayside took home its division crown, RFK won the PSAL ‘B’ championship and Christ the King enjoyed a turn-around season.
Here are the players considered the borough’s best:
All-Queens Softball Player of the Year: Britney Rodriguez, Construction
Rodriguez has long been an elite player, but this year she was no doubt the best in the city. The junior lefty was the difference in Construction’s claiming its first Class A city title, allowing just two runs in the final. She recorded a sparkling 1.37 ERA, which she lowered slightly in the playoffs, and struck out 113 batters. Rodriguez led the PSAL in hits (44), runs scored (41) and batting average (.786) and also recorded 48 RBIs.
All-Queens Softball Coach of the Year: Marco Migliaccio, Construction
A PSAL Class A city title is something Migliaccio and Construction have been building toward since winning the ‘B’ crown four years ago. Migliaccio always believed this was the year it could all come together after the Red Hawks went through some growing pains in previous seasons. His demanding the best from his team and his ability to teach the game to young players helped Construction reach the top.
All-Queens First Team
SS Danielle Cervasio, St. Francis Prep
The Cortland-bound Cervasio had one of her best seasons in an SFP uniform. The four-year starter led by example. Cervasio was one of the city’s best defensive shortstops. She was tops on the team in hitting and was a run producer in the leadoff spot.
3B Briana Emanuele, St. Francis Prep
Emanuele was one of the Terriers’ top hitters and did a solid job defending the hot corner. The junior, who has some pop in her bat, hit .423 and drove in 15 runs in league play. She was clutch in the post season, including a late two-run double to tie Game 3 against Fontbonne.
1B Emily Gomez, Bayside
The junior was the most productive hitter in a deep Bayside lineup. Her powerful swing helped her hit .673 and slug .980. Gomez also drove in 24 runs and scored 30 in the regular season. She went 4-for-4 with three runs scored in a division-clinching win over Cardozo.
P Heidi Gomez, Bayside
Gomez, a strike-out pitcher, can be as dominant as any windmiller in the city. The junior helped lead the Commodores to a division title and a spot in the PSAL Class A quarterfinals. She hit .519 with 29 RBIs and posted a 1.15 ERA with 113 strikeouts.
C Kelly Licul, St. Francis Prep
Licul gave St. Francis Prep a heady catcher with a cannon for an arm who can take charge of a game behind the plate. The sophomore is one of the city’s best young hitters, batting .333 and displaying extra base hit power. We haven’t seen the best of her yet.
C Kailan Luciano, Construction
The senior’s gutsy steal of home to score the winning run in the title game capped a fine year. Luciano hit .655 during the regular season and slugged 1.291. She drove in 37 runs and hit nine homers, including two in a win over Tottenville.
3B Fallon McCarthy, Archbishop Molloy
The senior couldn’t duplicate her breakout junior season, but she was still a dangerous and productive bat in the Stanners’ order. She hit .365 and again played a stellar third base behind a young Molloy pitching staff.
1B Taylor Moss, Archbishop Molloy
The super sophomore continues to be one of the city’s more feared hitters. Moss batted a scorching .481 to lead Molloy during a rebuilding season. She did a fine job taking over full-time at first base for graduated sister Dana.
SS Amy Pirozek, Construction
Pirozek provided plenty of pop in a deep Construction lineup. She batted .680 in league play, smashed 10 double, drove in 25 runs and scored 30. The junior was the anchor of the Red Hawks’ defense at shortstop.
P Shelby Yacovone, Benjamin Cardozo
The senior turned in another fine season in the circle to lead the Judges to a second place finish in their division. Yacovone won 14 games, posted a 1.60 ERA and struck out 111 batters in 96 innings during the regular season.
P Tiffany Zecena, Bryant
Zecena was the total package for the Owls. The senior was their ace, posting a 1.07 ERA and striking out 91 in 59 innings. She also did it with the bat, hitting .382, slugging .735 and driving in 22 runs to help Bryant to a second place finish.
Honorable Mention
P Theresa Armano, St. Francis Prep
SS Tara Bernstein, Bayside
P Katelyn Finneran, Christ the King
3B Chyla Guevara, John Bowne
SS Samantha Lallave, Francis Lewis
C Sarah Temkin, Bryant
3B Sam Rossi, Mary Louis
3B Gabriella Russo, Christ the King
SS Maxine Sanchez, Forest Hills
SS Julia Toth, Robert F. Kennedy
1B Katherine Valle, Construction
C Daysia Wehder, Carodozo
