Madison senior Caitlyn Ganley is a steady force at second base. (Philip Hall)
PSAL softball beat writer Marc Raimondi breaks down the second-seeded James Madison Knights in advance of Sunday’s Class A championship game at St. John’s University.
James Madison
Nickname: Golden Knights
Head coach: Jeff Meltzer (one year consecutively; six years total)
Record: 18-1
Batting order: CF Brittany O’Brien, P/RF Kayla Hill, SS Gina Gerone, 1B Nikki Panaro, C Samantha Rodriguez, 2B Caitlyn Ganley, 3B Maria Mantagas, LF Becky Ganley, P/RF Marie Oneto
Key reserves: 1B Jennie Hosty, UT Breanna DePasquale, OF Shalanda Jacobs and OF Leshanda Miller
Team notes: Trying to become first Brooklyn team to win title since 2003 when Midwood beat Tottenville before the Pirates’ run of six straight. … Made championship game last year, falling to Tottenville, 4-2. … Meltzer coached softball team 20 years ago before taking over for 17th-year coach Bill Dumont, who left for Brooklyn College after the 2009 season. … Every single player from last season’s finals team returned. … Meltzer has not said who he will start at pitcher, either junior Kayla Hill or senior Marie Oneto.
SCOUTING REPORT
(from league coach under condition of anonymity)
“I know that Madison was able to hit [Tottenville starter Nicole] Palase [in their regular season meeting]. They were able to touch her up for five runs. That’s a very good sign. But the only way Madison beats them is Madison has to get production from more than just Kayla [Hill] and Gina [Gerone]. [Brittany] O’Brien has to get on. … They’re not going to chip away on Tottenville. They need to get an early lead, they have to put up some crooked number innings. … Madison has outstanding pitching. They have a very good outfield. I think O’Brien is outstanding in center. Gina is excellent at shortstop. But I think Tottenville has an edge defensively. … Madison has got to get more production from the bottom of the lineup. … I’ve seen Oneto and the only reason I wouldn’t give Oneto the ball is because [Tottenville] saw Oneto [in the regular season]. But then Oneto might have something to prove. It’s hard to say. Kayla shut them down last year for five innings. She has the ability to be a shutdown pitcher. But that’s to take nothing away from Oneto. She’s outstanding. [The Pirates] haven’t seen Kayla this year. A lot of these girls haven’t seen Kayla. That’s a plus for Madison. And Madison has seen Palase. That’s also a plus for Madison. It’s a tossup.”
PLAYER CAPSULES
Brittany O’Brien
Year: Senior
Position: Center field
Notes: Slap hitter and a good bunter, but can also drive the ball when asked. … Is as fast as any leadoff hitter in the city. … Superb range in center with a plus arm.
Meltzer’s take: “She’s a catalyst for us. She gets on, she does things. I think she’s hit much better this year, been more consistent hitting, not just slapping. She covers a lot of ground with a big arm.”
Kayla Hill
Year: Junior
Position: Pitcher/Outfield
Notes: Among New York City’s elite pitchers and all-around players. … Underrated hitter, for both power and average. … Intense and unflappable in the circle.
Meltzer’s take: “Security. When she’s on the mound we know we’re in good hands. She can certainly hit the ball and she’s athletic. She’s not just a pitcher.”
Gina Gerone
Year: Sophomore
Position: Shortstop
Notes: Arguably the best young player in the PSAL. … Has every tool imaginable – hits for power and average, is a great fielder with a tremendous arm and is fast on the base paths. … Student of the game and future team leader.
Meltzer’s take: “Miss Intensity. Gina loves the game. She loves to play. She comes to play every day – whether it’s practice or a game. And she plays it a high level.”
Nikki Panaro
Year: Senior
Position: First base
Notes: Has excellent power out of the cleanup spot. … One of the team’s hottest hitters down the stretch. … Provides a big target at first with her tall frame and has good hands on grounders.
Meltzer’s take: “She doesn’t realize how good she really is. She’s been terrific the last couple of weeks, she’s really stepped up her game. Lately she’s starting to realize how good she can be.”
Samantha Rodriguez
Year: Sophomore
Position: Catcher
Notes: Has a chance to be one of league’s best players in the future. … Can hit for average or power. … Superb defensive catcher with one of the best arms behind the plate in the city.
Meltzer’s take: “Sam is like a quiet assassin. She does a little bit of everything – she hits, she bunts, she throws.”
Caitlyn Ganley
Year: Senior
Position: Second base
Notes: Has improved in every offensive category from last year. … Good hands at second. … Steady, consistent force.
Meltzer’s take: “She’s been terrific all year. She led us in batting. She fields really well. She’s just so solid and dependable. Really allowed us to extend the batting order.”
Maria Mantagas
Year: Senior
Position: Third base
Notes: Provides serious pop and run production from the No. 7 spot. … Vacuum-like at third base. … Having a good last few weeks.
Meltzer’s take: “She’s been more focused the last couple weeks, more confident. She’s gotten the big RBIs for us.”
Becky Ganley
Year: Junior
Position: Left field
Notes: Excellent defensive outfielder. … Improved offensively this season in every aspect. … Near the top of her class academically.
Meltzer’s take: “She’s really taken a step up as a junior. She’s gotten a lot of RBIs and really become more consistent. You can put her anywhere. Just a delight to have on the team. Can hit, throw, run – really good all around player and she’ll be even better next year.”
Marie Oneto
Year: Senior
Position: Pitcher/Outfield
Notes: One of the best pitchers in the city. … Excellent athlete and aggressive base runner. … Has a rocket for an arm in right field.
Meltzer’s take: “She’s a good defender, a real catalyst. She’s willing to do whatever it takes to win when she’s on the bases.”
BENCH
Notes: Many of Madison’s bench players would start on other teams around the city. Freshman Breanna DePasquale is a promising freshman who can play a number of positions, sophomore Jennie Hosty figures to start at first base next year and senior Leshanda Miller provides speed on the bases.
Meltzer’s take: “All the girls have contributed. When they’ve gotten an opportunity, they’ve done good things. If I had to go to the bench I’d feel comfortable.”
COACH
At the beginning of the season, this was Madison’s lone question mark. After having incredible success under Bill Dumont for 17 years, there were those who were skeptical of how Meltzer would do with a team that had incredible expectations. He has passed every test to this point.
Meltzer has taken a different approach this season with a veteran group and gotten Madison back to where it was expected to be: in the city championship game. He’s a little more laid back than Dumont has favored shorter, more intense practices rather than long, drawn out ones late in the season. The veteran Knights seem to have responded.