HERKIMER, N.Y. – NYPost.com softball beat writers Marc Raimondi and Joseph Staszewski break down the Mudville Softball Missy Lasowski Breast Cancer Awareness Tournament, which begins Monday upstate.
SCHEDULE
Monday, April 17
12:30 p.m. – Susan Wagner vs. St. Mary’s (Lancaster)
12:30 p.m. – St. Joseph by the Sea vs. Canandaigua
2:45 p.m. – Moore Catholic vs. Adirondack (scrimmage)
2:45 p.m. – Susan Wagner vs. Canandaigua
5 p.m. – Moore Catholic vs. Construction
5 p.m. – Adirondack vs. Mechanicville (scrimmage)
5 p.m. – St. Joseph by the Sea vs. St. Mary’s (Lancaster)
Tuesday, April 18
10 a.m. – Moore Catholic vs. Mechanicville
10 a.m. – St. Joseph by the Sea vs. Susan Wagner
12 p.m. – Construction vs. Adirondack (scrimmage)
12 p.m. – St. Joseph by the Sea vs. Mechanicville
12 p.m. – St. Mary’s (Lancaster) vs. Canandaigua
Construction Red Hawks
Head coach: Marco Migliaccio
Record: 7-1
Player to watch: Britney Rodriguez
Team outlook: Construction is coming off a bizarre week. The Red Hawks got one of the biggest wins in program history against perennial PSAL powerhouse Susan Wagner on Monday. But Thursday, they fell to division and neighborhood rival Richmond Hill in a loss that could be disastrous for their seeding.
The good news for Marco Migliaccio and his girls is that in the next two days they get a chance to prove themselves against some of the state’s best teams. And what better way to start things off Monday than with a huge game against CHSAA Staten Island stalwart Moore Catholic, which owns a win over Wagner this season as well.
Freshman ace Britney Rodriguez should be in the circle in Herkimer and Construction has a potent lineup led by the Burke twins – Ashley and Alyssa, Kailan Luciano, Alicia Gonzalez and Linda McKernan. If Rodriguez pitches well and the Red Hawks field the ball in what could be rainy conditions, they will fare well.
Moore Catholic Mavericks
Head coach: Kristine Knuth
Record: 6-1
Player to watch: Taylor Baggs
Team outlook: The Mavericks feature one of the city’s deepest and most versatile lineups anchored by shortstop Taylor Baggs, who has been a hit machine of late. She supplies power with Maxine Jasko and Nicole DeMartino to an offense that is averaging 9.7 runs per game. A lot of that success starts with Krissa Sagona and Alexa Aliberti at the top.
With its game against St. Joseph by the Sea cancelled Saturday, coach Kristine Knuth’s club will be licking its chops for a chance to play top competition in preparation for the second half of the season. That will benefit junior pitchers Kelly Graham and Gianna DeCesare. Both seem to be getting better as the year goes on and DeCesare is coming off allowing one run on five hits with five strikeouts in a win over St. Villa last week.
Moore will play one of the tournament’s most intriguing games. It faces PSAL up and comer Construction on Monday in a contest that will directly affect The Post’s NYC rankings. The Red Hawks already own a win over Susan Wagner, a team the Mavericks beat earlier this season.
St. Joseph by the Sea Vikings
Head coach: Mike Ponsiglione
Record: 5-0
Player to watch: Jackie Kelly
Team outlook: One of Sea’s biggest strengths is its pitching depth. Sophomore Jackie Cautela pitched huge innings last season, Alexa Tedeschi already has a win over James Madison under her belt and Lianna Jordan has gotten better with each start. The talented trio will be a key and be on full display the next two days as coach Mike Ponsiglione’s team prepares to defend its CHSAA state title.
The thing about the Vikings, who are starting to round into form after four difficult non-league games, is there could be a different hero every game. Third baseman Jackie Kelly is one of the city’s best overall players, but second baseman Meghan Seaman is off to hot a start and has been clutch. Maria Scopellito has taken over seamlessly from Jackie Bonamassa in center field and at the top of the order.
Sea’s already lost non-league games to New Jersey powers Paramus Catholic and Edison and has a win over Madison. It gets tested again with games against Canandaigua, Susan Wagner and Mechanicville on the slate.
Susan Wagner Falcons
Head coach: Marco Altieri
Record: 6-2
Player to watch: Danielle Locke
Team outlook: Wagner coach Marco Altieri wants to play everyone – he would play a college softball team if they let him. The Falcons might have had their struggles of late, falling to Construction and Tottenville last week and Moore Catholic early in the season, but he knows the only way they can get better is by playing top-notch teams.
That will happen in Herkimer in a big way in the next two days. Wagner starts off with two-time defending CHSAA Monsignor Martin champion St. Mary’s of Lancaster and then meets Syracuse-area power Canandaigua. On Tuesday, the Falcons will see a familiar face: fellow Staten Island squad St. Joseph by the Sea.
Wagner will need a big tournament from all-city talent Danielle Locke, who is a terror on the basepaths and catches everything in center field. Taylor Sarcone is solid in the circle and also packs a punch at the plate. Look out for a trio of sophomores, too: catcher Kristine Ciurcina, third baseman Hallie Siegel and shortstop Dayna Williams.
mraimondi@nypost.com
jstaszewski@nypost.com