Riverdale/Kingsbridge has a new face at the helm, but she will have to start off without the squad’s star.
Former SUNY Cortland standout Carisa Gaylardo takes over for program architect Bob Finz, who retired last season. She has made coaching stops at New Paltz and Manhasset HS and spent two summers coaching travel ball with the Long Island Express and Long Island Sharks. Gaylardo was eager for a chance to teach physical education and coach at one of The Bronx’s top programs as it chases last year’s PSAL Bronx A winner DeWitt Clinton.
“They have to be mentally prepared at all times,” she said. “I really believe in small ball a lot and putting the ball in play. Make the other team make mistakes.”
RKA will need to find success without ace pitcher and middle-of-the-order hitter Zanovia Pierce. The senior is going to walk-on at Manhattan College and left the team to focus on her travel ball season, according to Gaylardo. Sophomore Danielle Selsey will take over in the circle and Gaylardo has praised her poise early on. She will also be the team’s leadoff hitter.
“She can get on with either a base hit or a bunt,” Gaylardo said of Selsey. “She has potential. She’s young.”
Senior Rosa Le is back at catcher and adds a big bat to the order. Classmate Izzy Allen will split time at shortstop with sophomore Thalia Fernandez. She can also play third and back up Selsey in the circle. Rosa Torovega will play left field or center field with Lindsay Crowe moving to second. Crowe is a slap hitter who will bat second in front of third baseman Courtney Segal.
HS of American Studies @ Lehman College will be looking to this year and beyond in its first season as a Class A school. The Lady Senators lost to Telecom in last year’s ‘B’ final, but graduated most of its infield and its catcher from that squad. Coach Chris Ballerini joked that the PSAL always seems to move you up the year after your successful season.
“We just want to get better every day and see where we end up at the end of the season,” he said. “We are building for next year as well.”
Ballerini does return the team’s ace and No. 3 hitter in junior Sarah Paisner. She is a hard thrower, who is learning how to move the ball around the plate and the hope is that she can keep her team in games. Freshman Daphne Burdeaux is a star in the making. She will move right to shortstop and the cleanup spot.
“She’s a special talent,” Ballerini said. “She has great range for a shortstop and a real sweet swing.”
Ballerini describes third baseman Ruby Harrison-Clay as the team’s best fielder. Lizzie Merrick will be in center and Imani Graham will play second and lead off.
Bronx Science returns just one senior starter in second basemen Elizabeth Reddy for a very new group. Three freshmen and three sophomores will be in the starting lineup.
“We are set up well for 2013, but when our team shows up to play we can do some damage this year,” Science coach Tom Morris said.
Sophomore Jennifer Kellner, who throws strikes, will be in the circle. Freshman Eliza Williamson takes over at shortstop and will be a top-of-the-order hitter. Super athletic junior Kaitlin Finnerty will spend the early part of the season at first base and could move back to the outfield after a hip injury heals.
“She actually looked pretty good there,” Morris said of Finnerty. “She made some crazy athletic plays [in a scrimmage]. It might actually be a really good fit for her.”
Slick fielding Ashley Tineo, one of the division’s best hitters, leads Stevenson, which finished third a year ago. Catcher Heidy Cabral is the top retuning playing for an InTech club that went 9-4 and placed second behind Clinton. The Panthers will have a new coach in Odaly Aponte.