For the first time in seven years, Brooklyn was home to the PSAL city champion. James Madison beat six-time defending champion Tottenville, 5-2, in the Class A title game, becoming the first team other than the Pirates to win since Midwood in 2003.
The Knights weren’t the only champions from the borough either. Poly Prep extended its record to five NYSAISAA titles after beating Horace Man in the championship. In the CHSAA, it was St. Edmund making history. The Eagles won their first Brooklyn division title since 1993.
All-Brooklyn softball Player of the Year: Kayla Hill, James Madison
Madison pulled off the shock of the 2010 softball season when it beat Tottenville in the PSAL Class A city title game, ending the Pirates’ six-year reign as champs. The biggest reason why? None other than Hill. In eight innings against Tottenville, which boasts arguably the top lineup in New York City, she gave up no earned runs.
Hill had a similar line in the semifinals against Susan Wagner. She tossed a complete-game, three-hitter and struck out eight Falcons batters. The junior didn’t just excel in the circle either. She hit .467 in the playoffs from the No. 2 hole in the order and drove in five runs in five games. In the regular season, she hit .567 and didn’t allow an earned run.
All-Brooklyn softball Coach of the Year: Jeff Meltzer, James Madison
At first glance, it looked like Meltzer had an easy job. He was inheriting a team that went to the PSAL Class A city championship in 2009 and returned every single player. But because expectations were so high and he was taking over for coach Bill Dumont – one of the best coaches in the city who left for Brooklyn College – there were a slew of critics. Meltzer and Madison proved them all wrong by ending Tottenville’s six-year reign as champion and winning the program’s first city title.
FIRST TEAM
P Victoria Capozucca, Poly Prep
There isn’t any other pitcher in New York City graduating that can say she was on the mound for five state championships except for Capozucca. The senior right-hander, who came up as an eighth grader, was brilliant again this year, leading Poly to a win in the NYSAISAA championship over Horace Mann.
P Emma Ferrington, St. Edmund
The senior served dual roles of importance as the team’s ace pitcher and leadoff hitter, where she batted.375. Ferrington was the epitome of grit in the circle and got tougher as the year went on. She scattered seven hits and allowed one earned run in a division-clinching win over Fontbonne Hall and shutout TMLA for six innnings in a hard-luck playoff loss.
SS Gina Gerone, James Madison
Perhaps the best young player in New York City, Gerone was a force in the middle of the lineup for Madison all season. The sophomore can hit for average, power and is a superb fielder. She hit .547 with 38 RBIs in 15 regular-season games.
2B Caitlyn Ganley, James Madison
Coming into the season, Ganley wasn’t one of Madison’s most highly touted players. But the senior really came into her own this season. She hit .667 in the regular season and was an amazing 12-of-17 in the playoffs – a major reason why the Knights won the PSAL Class A city title.
3B Janelle Garvey, St. Edmund
The Eagles started their second-half surge as the sophomore grew red hot at the plate. Garvey hit .450 this season. Inspired by the memory of her uncle who died from cancer, she homered four times and drove in runs in bunches during St. Edmund’s seven-game winning streak.
CF Jackie Mitchell, Fontbonne Hall
The junior is one of the best defensive center fielders in the city — just ask coach Frank Marinello. He raves about her ability cover ground and her cannon for an arm. Mitchell is also the Bonnies’ leadoff hitter who epitomizes thier ball-in-play style with her ability to slap, swing and steal.
SS Cassandra Molinari, St. Edmund
Molinari has always been the Eagles’ quiet and consistent star. The junior, who batted 370, is one of the best pure hitters in the city, with her ability to make contact, power to the gaps and she can adjust on the fly. She has excellent range at short with a stong arm.
CF Brittany O’Brien, James Madison
The senior set the table for the potent Madison middle of the order. When O’Brien was on base – which was often – she wreaked havoc with her speed. In the field, she was brilliant and wielded an excellent arm.
1B Nikki Panaro, James Madison
The senior is the owner of one of the most dramatic home runs in PSAL softball championship history. With Madison down a run in the seventh inning, Panaro’s bomb off Tottenville’s Nicole Palase tied the game at 1. She also had her team’s lone two RBIs against Susan Wagner in the semifinals.
SS Erica Sollazzo, Poly Prep
Sollazzo’s best attribute was her versatility. She moved from second base to shortstop this season seamlessly, hit for average and was the team’s No. 2 starter behind Victoria Capozucca. She was the winning pitcher in a non-league game against Susan Wagner.
HONORABLE MENTION
P Michelle Fioto, Fontbonne Hall
LF Becky Ganley, James Madison
P Maria Guerna, Bushwick
P Tiffany Irrera, Bishop Kearney
LF Erica Juarbe, Lincoln
1B/P Traci Kent, Midwood
1B Katy Kirker, Poly Prep
3B Maria Mantagas, James Madison
C Jenna Nixon, Fontbonne Hall
P Marie Oneto, James Madison
C Samantha Rodriguez, James Madison
C Casey Sclafani, St. Edmund
3B Victoria Silva, Fontbonne Hall
3B Nicolette Sinagra, New Utrecht
CF Christa Wojcik, Poly Prep