Girls Softball Has Big Hopes for the Season

This year it all comes down to pitching for the girls softball team.

“I have high expectations for our team because the program has been playing at the highest level the past nine years,” varsity softball coach Rick Punzone said.

“If we can get the pitching squared away, I think we’ll be tough to beat," he said. "The girls here all have a tremendous work ethic and are very dedicated to their sport. They have high expectations of themselves and unfortunately anything short of a Long Island championship would be a disappointment.”

Punzone spoke highly of his team shortly after he watched the Lady Panthers go through another solid practice. In his nine years as coach, Punzone has guided Babylon to three Suffolk County titles (2003, 2006 and 2010) as well as a Long Island championship (2003). During those nine years, the Lady Panthers have compiled an overall win-loss record of 149-30.

Punzone credits part of the success to girls starting to learn the game at an earlier age.

"With the rise of young kids playing, we've been able to get some continuity with both the young and older kids and that helps to keep the tradition going," he said.

Another element is the consistent coaching staff, he added.

“We also have some great coaches here in Eric Solnick, Steve Fasciani and Bill Singleton. I think the continuity of the coaches has been a very big plus to the program and we’re all football coaches too, so we tend to coach the girls with the same football mentality, which I think helps us.”

Babylon went 19-2 last season and although the team graduated three-time all-county and two-time all-state player Amanda McKay, the Lady Panthers return seven starters.

Christine Desiderio, a five-year junior starter, returns her all county center field glove and pitcher Tiana Guiliano, another five-year starter, is hoping to fill the team’s pitching need.

Guiliano was the team’s starting pitcher as an eighth grader and hasn't pitched in two years due to shoulder surgery although she’s made a full comeback.

Senior Chrissie Ochs, who led the team in home runs with five last season, is Babylon’s cleanup hitter and plays first base.

Senior Jillian Jacinth, a returning starter, will play second base and super sophomores Nicole Marro and Brianna Goodfellow bolster the left side of the infield.

Three 10th graders; Miranda Richards, Mary Tighe and Madison Mugno are each expected to be major contributors. Senior Mackenzie Owens is back after starting as a 10th grader and should also provide a spark, possibly at catcher.

“We’ve been on a pretty good run,” Punzone said. “We’re excited and we have high expectations.”

The Lady Panthers open the League VII season at home against Mt. Sinai on March 29 at the Babylon Memorial Grade School at 4:30 p.m.