2003 CUNYAC / Sprint PCS Softball

Preview - March 18th, 2003

BRONX, NY - After what seemed to be a long winter the spring season has finally begun! As softball teams begin their seasons a mutual feeling of anticipation sweeps the CUNY Athletic Conference. The level of competition is rising and more teams are stepping to the plate of opportunity. CUNY plans on having the 2003 Softball Championship aired live on the radio - WNYE 91.5fm - on Friday, May 2, 2003 starting at 4:00 pm. At that time CUNY's automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament will be decided.

The 2002 CUNYAC Softball Champion Hunter Hawks (25-13, 15-1 CUNY) look to make their ninth appearance in eleven years. Third year head coach Betsy Hipple looks to the upcoming season with many goals in mind. "We hope to have an injury free season," said Hipple. "But most importantly we want to have fun and do our best." Their best usually means a trip to the post season especially as the Hawks return eight letterwinners and seven starters. Leading the way is senior third baseman Cagla Boz (Abraham Lincoln / Brooklyn, NY), a two-time CUNYAC all-star who batted .326 with 28 RBI last year. Also back is sophomore Cynthia Cabrera (Walton / Bronx, NY), the CUNYAC tournament MVP, who was 14-9 with a 1.74 ERA on the mound and hit .438 with 39 RBI at the plate. Named to the NCAA Regional all-tournament team, sophomore Beth Tuccillo (Poly Prep / Brooklyn, NY) batted .354 and scored 26 runs last spring. Classmate Samantha Grabkowitz (Bayside / Bayside, NY) also enjoyed a strong debut by hitting .369 with 31 RBI. Veteran leadership will also be expected from senior outfielder Vana Loukissas (Cardozo / Flushing, NY), junior Jen Agosto (Midwood / Brooklyn, NY) and sophomore Shani Espinal (Clinton / Bronx, NY). The infield should be strengthened by the arrival of junior Jamie Victorio (Long Island City / Astoria, NY) from Queensborough C.C., and freshmen Kari Porto (Port Richmond / Staten Island, NY) and Jen "Chico" Ithier (Manhattan Center / New York, NY). Perhaps the biggest boost will be to the pitching corps where junior Dara DiVincenzo (Memorial / Jackson, NJ), formerly of Brookdale C.C. is expected to provide Hunter with a national caliber hurler who's past experience will greatly help the team in their pursuit of the CUNY title and more.

The College of Staten Island (27-11, 14-2 CUNY) looks to improve on last season's team after making an appearance in the 2002 CUNY finals. This season's team has already begun to change beginning with a change at the top with their skipper. Head coach Stella Porto will look to bring the title back to Staten Island with her experience as a member of the 1988-90 Dolphins, who won 2 CUNY titles. Joining Porto are two new assistants, Paul Porto and Charlie Mattera while Lauren Ebner remains the pitching coach for the Dolphins. Coach Porto will depend greatly on junior Theresa Caputo (Curtis / Staten Island, NY), CSI's all-time leader in complete games (30) and strikeouts (219). The 2002 CUNY Pitcher of the Year is also fourth in school history with a .407 career batting average while junior outfielder Donna Przybyszewski (Port Richmond / Staten Island, NY) holds the third best batting average in the school's history (.446). Junior Pamela Barone (St. John Villa / Staten Island, NY) is also likely to contribute to the Dolphin offense after a strong performance last season, hitting nine triples and 74 RBI, both CSI single season records. The Dolphins pitching staff is the deepest it has been in the past few seasons especially with co-captain and 2002 CUNY Rookie of the Year Julie Lowe (Port Richmond / Staten Island, NY) as the number three pitcher in the Staten Island rotation. Sophomore Nicole Fasano (Port Richmond / Staten Island, NY), a transfer from Division I Wagner, looks to dominate the league with her tremendous speed while sophomore Jennifer Doscher (Moore Catholic / Staten Island, NY), formerly of Division II NYIT, is expected to contribute to the Dolphins, bringing stability to the shortstop position. "Our focus is on sportsmanship this season," said coach Porto. "I want a team to go on the field and represent Staten Island to the highest degree." The highest degree for the perennial power Dolphins is nothing less than a conference title.

The John Jay College softball team (20-12, 13-3 CUNY) is coming off its second twenty-win season in the past three years. This year's team is very optimistic about the upcoming campaign. The team returns second team CUNY all-star Jamie DeSapio (Bishop Kearney / New York, NY) at catcher who hit .369, second baseman Pattria Parris (Mount Vernon / Barbados) and hard-hitting outfielder Fanny Echarvarria (Fort Hamilton / Brooklyn, NY) who batted .329 with seven doubles in the 2002 campaign. These women will anchor a talented group of transfers and freshmen. Coach Patrick Malia, in his thirteenth year at the helm, believes the addition of two transfer pitchers in Elizabeth Amato (North Babylon / North Babylon, NY), a hard throwing junior from Suffolk Community College and Andrea Montouri (Tottenville / Staten Island, NY) a flame throwing windmiller who transferred from CSI will provide the needed one-two punch on the mound. Candice Hernandez (John F. Kennedy / Granada Hills, CA) is expected to be an impact player at third base transfer from Los Angeles City College in California while Natasha Alvarado (Beacon/ Inwood, NY), a transfer from Hofstra will see action at first base for the Lady Bloodhounds. The John Jay roster is loaded with seven talented freshmen which include Lorraine Fuentes (Bronx, NY) a former all-star at Clinton High School in the Bronx, Bryant High School's hard hitting catcher/infielder Stephanie Cutignola (Queens, NY) and former Grover Cleveland team captain, infielder Melissa Lugo (Queens, NY). Lisa Trojanowski (Wilton High School) a centerfielder from Wilton, CT and Mariela Echavarria (Brooklyn, NY) a shortstop from Fort Hamilton High School are also expected to contribute greatly for the Bloodhounds during their title hunt.

After losing to Hunter in last season's semifinal, Lehman College (13-17, 9-7 CUNY) looks to make a run at the title again having returned all but one of last seasons starters. Senior pitcher Erika Noriega (Lehman / Bronx, NY) will take the mound for the Lightning once again as their top gun after finishing third in strikeouts averaging 5.66 per game. The three time CUNY all-star is one of the most dominant pitchers in CUNYAC and has a lot of big game experience having pitched in 80% of the Lightning's games last season. Also returning are seniors Tara Dempsey (St. Catherine / New York, NY) who hit .506 averaged 1.21 RBI and 1.31 runs scored per game last season and Sakeena Esteves (John F. Kennedy / Bronx, NY) who finished fifth in the conference in runs scored averaging 1.37 runs per game. The all-star duo of catcher and shortstop provide the Lightning with a lethal combination of speed and power in the heart of the lineup. The three seniors will get help from junior third baseman Stephanie Rodriguez (Lehman / Bronx, NY). The 2001 CUNYAC Rookie of the Year and 2002 all-star brings power to the lineup and a sure-handed defensive presence in the hot corner. The Bronx native gives the Lightning one of the most powerful lineups in the conference after hitting .467 earning herself seventh in batting average in the conference as well as fourth in runs scored (1.39) and fifth in RBI (1.24). This year's squad has a mixture of talent, which should help the Lightning in their quest for a championship. Sophomore Stephanie Cepeda (Lehman / Bronx, NY), senior Ivelisse Rosario (Whitehall / Bronx, NY) and sophomore Michelle Barnwell (Prospect Heights / Brooklyn, NY) look to have an immediate impact on Lehman's success this season. Venus Diaz (Bronx, NY), a freshman from Jane Adams high school is projected to add power to the Lightning line up as sophomore Cassandra Quick (Fredrick Douglas / Bronx, NY) will provide speed on the bases.

The Baruch College Bearcats (10-13, 9-7 CUNY) have been knocking on the contending door with increasing power. "With hard work and dedicated players we hope to go far in the CUNY tournament," said head coach Jose Negroni. Baruch returns ten members of last year's team including sophomore Jessica Terrusa (St. John Villa / Staten Island, NY) who batted .427 while averaging 1.26 runs per game in addition to being named to the 2002 CUNY all-star second team. Sophomore Nicole Errico is also predicted to play a major role for the Bearcat offense having led Division III with most walks in a season (22). Kathy Maher (Brooklyn, NY) a pitcher from James Madison high school, Rose Tejada (New York, NY) a catcher / third baseman from Murry Bergtraum high school and Seryi Betancourt an outfielder from Clinton high school in the Bronx are all expected to play major roles in the team's development. With excellent team chemistry, coach Negroni is very optimistic about the season. While surpassing the .500 barrier is within their sights, Baruch will have a tough time cracking into the CUNY top four against seasoned competition.

Under new head coach Alex Lang, the Brooklyn College Bridges (6-14, 4-12 CUNY) look to turn things around this year. This Bridges will feature some seasoned seniors and some talented first year players. Number one pitcher Charisse Gillet returns for her senior season of work as she throws to first year catcher Christina O'Shea. Senior Kenisha Caicedo, who was fifth in the NCAA Division III in stolen bases, will see time in the outfield along with fellow returnees Alyson Stevens and Karina Benitez. The infield's right side will feature returnees Dara Reisman, Alyson Silver and Donaree Brown as the trio will split playing time between first and second bases. Talented first year players, Erin Valentin, Erica Blom and Monique Mustilli will solidify the left side of the infield.

Head coach Safiyyah Wilson of Medgar Evers (5-17, 4-12 CUNY) is quietly optimistic about the upcoming season. Junior hurler Marsha Clarke (Taft / Bronx, NY) will get some help on the mound from experienced rookie pitcher Tenisha Gillett (Belize). Senior Nikishe Neckles and junior infielder Karen Alexander will get many at bats being part of the top of the order while sophomores Taraisha Simmons and Robyn Holmes are expected to be the major offensive threats for the Cougars. With returning junior Sherell Forest and incoming freshman Latoya Smith, coach Wilson hopes to elevate the level of play and competition.

New York City College of Technology (3-13, 3-13 CUNY) also hopes to improve on last year's eighth place finish. The team returns junior first baseman Sandy Kouw (Murry Bergtraum, Manhattan, NY) and sophomore Erica Reid (Eldorado Secondary / Trinidad) as well as Andrea Paul (Clara Barton / Brooklyn, NY), last year's catcher who will see playing time at second this season. New additions from the Yellow Jackets basketball team, Aurora Troche (Grover Cleveland / Brooklyn, NY) and Melodie Noel (William Grady / Brooklyn, NY) as well as Kerry Ann Bryan are expected to improve City Tech defensively.

The York College Cardinals (2-17, 1-15 CUNY) are determined to make a change in this season's standings, returning both Stacy Ann Stewart (August Martin / Mt. Vernon, NY) and Jeanette Tavarez (Queens Vocational / Long Island City, NY) who ranked second and third in individual batting averages for CUNYAC in 2002. Second year head coach Andre Titus believes that with the combination of returning players and incoming talent like rookie Jessica Christmas (Richmond Hill / Queens Village, NY), the team is certain to improve. In order for the Cardinals, a second-year program, to compete coach Titus will have to continue surrounding these players with other quality newcomers - in any case York is on the right track.