By Joseph Staszewski
Archbishop Molloy has reclaimed its place atop both the borough and the city.
The veteran Stanners won their first CHSAA state title since 2011, also taking home the Catholic city title and the Brooklyn/Queens regular season and playoff crowns along the way. It had to rally from a game down to rival and defending champion St. Francis Prep in the diocesan final to make it all happen.
There wasn’t a return trip to the PSAL Class AA final in the cards for Construction, but it remained one of the city’s top clubs despite the graduation of ace Britney Rodriguez. A fresh-faced Bayside team placed second behind the Red Hawks for PSAL Queens A division title with the memory of former coach Steve Piorkowski in their hearts. Francis Lewis, Benjamin Cardozo and Mary Louis also had strong seasons.
Here are the players who were the best during another stellar softball season in Queens:
All-Queens Player of the Year: Alexandra Yule, Archbishop Molloy
The Columbia-bound Yule did a little bit of everything for Molloy this season on her way to a CHSAA state title. The senior shortstop, who also went 10-3 in the circle, was a superb fielder and hit a team-leading .613. She tossed a gem in a 5-1 win in Game 2 of the diocesan championship to get Molloy back on track. Yule then held St. Joseph by the Sea to just one run on four hits in the state semifinal.
All-Queens Coach of the Year: Maureen Rosenbaum, Archbishop Molloy
The best thing you can say about Rosenbaum’s teams is that they get better from year to year and over the course of each season. The 2015 group was a perfect example. She guided them from being run-ruled as sophomores and through a devastating playoff loss as juniors to the program’s second state crown. It took a few lineup shuffles by Rosenbaum to finally find the right combination to get this group playing at its best.
All-Queens Softball First Team
C Victoria Brown,
Archbishop Molloy
The junior came into her own this season both with the bat and behind the plate. Brown batted .440 and delivered a number of key hits. Rosenbaum gave her more freedom calling games and she always knew what to say to refocus her pitchers.
1B Catherine Hanson, Bayside
Hanson flourished in her increased role and became one of Bayside’s most reliable bats. The junior posted a .451 average during the regular season with 19 RBI, 20 runs scored and four home runs out of the No. 3 spot.
CF Jessica Kovach,
Francis Lewis
The senior is one of the borough’s best all-around players. Kovach covers plenty of ground in center with her strong arm. She also hit .544 with 41 RBI, 26 runs scored and five home runs as the cleanup hitter for Francis Lewis.
C Kelly Licul, St. Francis Prep
There are few bats more feared than the Rhode Island-bound Licul’s. She hit.448 with 13 extra-base hits, including four home runs. Licul went 4-for-5 with three RBI in the last two diocesan final games. She also calls a superb game at catcher, a big reason behind SFP’s pitching success.
P Emily Perez, Construction
Perez excelled at the task of taking over in the pitching circle from Britney Rodriguez. The senior went 13-2 with a 2.80 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 75 innings pitched. She was also a major threat at the plate, hitting .560 with 33 runs scored and 31 RBI.
P Victoria Perez, Bayside
The junior spoke all season about how she felt the need to prove herself with Heidi Gomez no longer in the circle for Bayside. Perez did that by winning 12 games while pitching to a 3.05 ERA with 129 strike outs in 94 innings. She also hit .478 with 25 runs and 15 RBI.
SS Lizul Portual, Construction
There may not be a more athletically gifted player in New York City. The sophomore was always a threat to take an extra base or two and is a fine defensive shortstop. Portugal hit a blistering .694 with 39 runs scored, 38 RBI and 17 extra-base hits.
CF Taylor Russo, St. Francis Prep
The junior is one of the borough’s best defensive centerfielders, a key to the great defense SFP played all year. Russo hit 356 out of the lead off spot for the Terriers and really made the team’s offense go with her speed.
1B Camille Sears, Archbishop Molloy
Sears was arguably the unsung hero of the Stanners. The junior first baseman hit a whopping .524 with a team- leading 10 home runs and 40 RBI. Her three-run homer accounted for the only Molloy runs in a state semifinal win over St. Joseph by the Sea.
SS Alyssa Seiss, St. Francis Prep
The junior was as sure- handed as they come at short and formed a formidable 1-2 combination in the middle of the Terriers order with Licul. Seiss had the second-highest batting average on the team at .356, to go along with three homers.
P/CF Amanda Zeni, Archbishop Molloy
The senior rebounded well after missing most of last year with tendonitis. She went 11-2 in the circle and was superb in the state championship clincher against St. Anthony’s. Zeni allowed one run on five hits.
Honorable Mention
C Gabriella Conelli, Bayside
SS Crystal Estrada,
Benjamin Cardozo
3B/SS Jessica Hickey, Archbishop Molloy
P Sarah Kampuries,
John Adams
C Selina Lallave,
Francis Lewis
3B Sam Merino, Mary Louis
SS Taylor Milata,
Mary Louis
C Jayleen Ovalles, Construction
3B Nicole Ovelheira, Construction
SS Maxine Sanchez,
Forest Hills
P Katie Siano,
St. Francis Prep
P Breanna Taphouse,
Frank Sinatra
