The Tottenville dynasty is on its last legs. The Pirates lost five superb starters from a team that won its sixth straight PSAL Class A title and the talent level has dropped dramatically in Huguenot.
At least that’s what the perception is. Not that coach Cathy Morano minds.
“Let them think that,” she joked.
In reality, though, Tottenville will begin the season Monday against rival Susan Wagner the same way it did last year: as the favorite to win the city championship. The Pirates might have lost plenty, but they return 12 players, six of which have a good amount of experience.
When [ace pitcher] Brittany [Stratton] graduated everybody said, ‘That’s it forget about it. They’re done,’” Morano said. “Then when [Dana] Amatucci and [Samantha] Bennett graduated they said, ‘That’s it, forget about it. They’re done.’… Now everybody is saying, ‘They’re done, forget about it.’ These kids don’t want to believe that.”
Nor should they. Tottenville returns one of the best centerfielders in the city in Victora McFarland, an excellent second baseman in Lisa Cutrona and three girls – senior Tara Gallo (shortstop), junior Samantha Mattsson (third base) and senior Christina Penna (right field) – who have gotten significant playing time the last few years.
Ace windmiller Alyssa Corvino (Catholic University) has graduated, but the Pirates will reload with hard-throwing junior Nicole Palase. She has been on the varsity since she was a freshman and last year she struck out 35 in 17 innings, giving up just three hits and no runs.
“It’s not like we’re throwing her out there on the mound for the first time,” Morano said. “It’s her turn. I’ve got more than enough confidence in her.”
Backing up Palase in the circle will be senior Sonia Jimenez, who played as a freshman, but took a two-year sabbatical to concentrate on academics. She’s a travel player who will also start at first base when she isn’t pitching. Around her in the infield will be Cutrona, Mattsson and Gallo. Jaclyn Castellano (Emerson), Jeanine Leo (Adelphi) and Heather Salerno (Adelphi) have graduated, but the Pirates should still be strong in the infield.
“The whole infield [is gone], basically,” Morano said. “It’s been a no-brainer for the last couple of years. But they’ll be OK.”
Sophomore Jennifer Palase, Nicole’s sister, will replace Ashley Corrao (Dominican College) at catcher, forming an all-Palase battery most games. McFarland will anchor the outfield with Penna and sophomore Jillian Giuffre on either side. The centerfielder has started since her freshman year and though she’s only a junior she will have to be one of Tottenville’s leaders.
“She’s been out there for two years,” Morano said. “She’s one of the keys.”
And the key to the Pirates’ success? It’s the same it has always been: strong pitching, with excellent defense behind it coupled with a deep, versatile batting order. The faces and names might be different, but so far it has been business as usual down in Huguenot.
“These kids work just as hard as the other teams,” Morano said. “They know what it is to win.”