The NHPAA 14U Team Intensity were crowned champions of the 2010 HBQVB “Never Give Up” Fall Travel Tournament winning three consecutive hard fought games against the Brooklyn Cyclones, Middle Village Explosion, and the Cyclones Silver.
The girls were relentless in their pursuit of the grand prize and stood the test, displaying fierce determination against these elite teams comprised of All-Stars from many different towns.
In the first game, New Hyde Park squared off against the Brooklyn Cyclones who had a dominant pitcher who has been clocked at 57 m.p.h. and is considered by some to be among the top pitchers in the PSAL Brooklyn/Queens High School League.
NHP was led by right fielder Kim Spagnuolo who had six hits in 10 at bats on the day along with five RBI sand also made several eye popping defensive plays.
Spagnuolo was 2-4, with two RBIs, two runs, and two stolen bases against the Cyclones, playing her best when it mattered most.
Jillian Sakowich (2-4) set the table from the leadoff spot scoring twice and had the game winning hit to right on a clutch two-out, two-strike single to score Kayla Buff.
Kristen Hickey was the winning pitcher throwing an impressive 5 1/3 innings allowing four hits while striking out six. Hickey also went 2-3 with a towering triple to left for two RBIs in the first inning and later had a sacrifice bunt to first base in which she alertly stopped and backpedalled towards home before being tagged out which allowed Geena Fornataro to score from third.
Mary-Kate O’Boyle again showed her toughness behind the plate, called a smart game, and was 2-3 offensively. O’Boyle would catch all 3 games for NHP while refusing to come out (even if injured), and displayed excellent leadership to her mates.
Lisa Pellegrino (five assists) was the consummate team player with four sacrifice bunts, three hits, and four stolen bases on the day and scored six runs. Pellegrino was equally efficient in the field anchoring the defense which stopped the Cyclones in its tracks.
The flame-throwing Geena Fornataro who has seen a steady increase in velocity (at times reaching 58 m.p.h.) pitched the final inning and 2/3 for the save.
Defensively, third baseman Jjillian Filippi had three assists as she continues her impressive Fall Season at the hot corner and is proving to be a steady performer in the big spot.
The offense was paced by Sabrina Spiridigliozzi who had a triple and two RBIs, Sabrina Santaruvo (1-2, walk, two RBIs on a perfectly executed slap hit), and Danielle Dziomba who was 1-2 with two runs scored and also surprised everyone with a delayed steal of home with two outs in the 5th. This type of aggressiveness has become the mantra for the girls who never give away an at bat and seize every opportunity.
In game two, Geena Fornataro (2-3, two doubles, two RBIs, two runs) and Lisa Pellegrino (2-3, two stolen bases, one run) were the offensive heroes along with Kim Spagnuolo (2-3, two RBIs) who continued her torrid hitting with the go ahead single in the 7th to lead NHP to a 5-3 victory over Middle Village Explosion.
Sakowich came on in relief of Fornataro in the 2nd inning and pitched a fabulous game for the win. Sakowich threw a variety of pitches (netting four strikeouts) to thwart the powerful Expolsion offense which had previously beaten the NHP team four times.
All-Star right fielder Spagnuolo made the play of the day with a running stab of a liner to right and in one motion then made a tremendous throw to O’Boyle who blocked the plate and applied the tag in the 5th inning to shift the momentum to NHP.
Krista King (1-2, stolen base) made a key backhand play at third base on a scorching liner to end the 4th inning with runners on second and third. Kayla Buff (1-2), Kristen Hickey (1-3, RBI), Sabrina Santaruvo (1-3), and O’Boyle ((1-3, 2RBI) each had key hits. This hard fought semifinal victory was especially gratifying to the girls since the Explosion seemed to have their number the entire fall – winning all 4 games.
The Championship Game played between NHP and Cyclones Silver at 4 p.m. was reminiscent of the famous “Ice Bowl” with temperatures hovering near 40 degrees yet the NHP offense was sizzling.
O’Boyle went 2-3 with 3 RBIs and was phenomenal behind the plate taking quite a battering all day.
Krista King (3-3, three stolen bases, triple, three RBIs) put on quite a show with her speed creating havoc for the defense and executed a slap hit to go along with a line drive triple into the gap in the 6th inning.
Fornataro had a booming double to left center for two RBIs and Spiridigliozzi went 2-3 ( two RBIs) with a monster double of her own.
Hickey (2-3, one RBI) started on the mound – and went as far as she could using a compliment of pitches going 5 innings (striking out five and allowing four hits) for her second win of the day.
After tiring in the 5th, Hickey was relieved by the fireballer and closer, Fornataro (who had four strikeouts in the final two frames) to record the save and secure the HBQVB Championship for NHP Team Intensity who celebrated with a team dinner at AppleBees following the successful day.
