WPCNR PRESS BOX. May 25, 2004: The White Plains Varsity Softball Team plays Clarkstown North this Thursday afternoon in the Semifinal round of the Sectionals, after polishing off Saunders, 18-0 Tuesday.
Meanwhile, last week the other softball Tigers, the JV, all former players in the White Plains Little League, and participants in Softball Coach Ted O'Donnell's winter clinics won the League 1-B Junior Varsity Championship, beating Yorktown twice in three days, 3-2 and 5-4, (a pair of thrill-as) to achieve it. The two losses to White Plains were the first time Yorktown's Junior Varsity had lost in two years. The Tigers, under Coach Alberto Minotta, won 11 straight league games, to finish 15-3-1.
The Junior Champions:
Back Row, L to R, Jen Morricone, Lauren Kroutil, Meg Laub, Egypt Vlymen-Williams, Abby Rudow, Jen Gilch, Lisa Tompkins, Michelle Portillo.Front Row: Christine Giansante, Nicole Cordola, Emma Cornfield, Kailey Mecia, Meg O'Keefe, Juliana Bailey. Coach Alberto Minotta.Not pictured, Laura Cedrone.
IN ON THE BUNT: Michelle Portillo, third base, Juliana Bailey, and Kailey Mecia, at first, charging a bunt at Ursuline. The infield of Portillo, Kroutil, Gilch and Mecia meshed as the season went on to perform flawlessly against Yorktown in the clutch. Mecia's throw from first on an fielder's choice to Emma Cornfield at home cut down the tying run at the plate in the seventh at Yorktown to preserve first place with a 5-4 win. Christine Giansante's grounder after Lisa Tompkins had walked and moved to third drove in the winning run in the sixth. Photo by WPCNR Sports.
THE LITTLE ENGINE AND POPCORN: Batterymates Juliana Bailey, left, and Emma Cornfield worked together spinning 7 shutouts, with The Engine averaging 10 strikeouts a game, (and no walks) and Popcorn having only 1 dropped third strike in all the games she caught. The duo recorded 4-0 and 7-0 wins over New Rochelle and Ursuline and 3-2 and 5-4 wins over Yorktown. Michelle Portillo pitched a gutty, key complete game 9-3 win over New Rochelle just before the showdown in Yorktown to position the Tigers for the final Yorktown showdown. Photo by WPCNR Sports
Lauren Kroutil at shortstop had the ability to make the big play in the clutch. Laura Cedrone, the centerfielder and leadoff hitter set the table and had solid coverage in the outfield. Second baseperson Jen Gilch had good range and backed up flawlessly when firstbaseperson Kailey came in on a cover. Kroutil, Gilch and Mecia batting 2-3-4 not only hit for power but moved the runner unselfishly. Egypt Vlymen-Williams emerged as a rangy natural centerfielder in the Yorktown games. Christine Giansante, Nicole Cordola set the table, started rallies and got on when they had to. The team won because they played as a team.
THE LAST WARMUP TOGETHER: Coach Minotta works out "Cor DOE -la" "Popcorn" "Megan Laub" "GeeANNSante" and his Champs for the last time Friday. The team turned in their Orange and Black today. Photo by WPCNR Sports.
