She is only a freshman, but Emmie Mae Cabrera is an important part of the lineup for Marlboro’s softball team.

Cabrera is a catcher, and she has been hitting in the middle of the lineup during her first varsity season with the Dukes.

“She’s doing great. She works behind the plate real hard,” said Ray Leduc, Marlboro’s coach. “She’s got a great bat. As a freshman that’s a good edition.”
Cabrera has been playing softball since she was about five years old. When she was eight, she started catching. She can also pitch and has played other positions than catching behind the plate.

But she enjoys catching the most.

“You are in the game the whole time,” she said.

Cabrera also plays travel ball, so her schedule in the warmer months is filled with games and practice.

“This is something fun to do,” she said. “The exercise, I love it.”

Cabrera made her comments following a 6-5 loss to Rondout on the road last week in which her team trailed 6-2 before Mel Papuli, Marlboro’s starter, belted a three-run homer to help the Dukes nearly come back in the game.
Cabrera singled to open the top of the sixth inning, and Papuli came up two batters later and hit her shot.

“She helps everybody,” said Leduc, of Cabrera.
And Cabrera is part of a young team that is trying to stay in contention for a sectional berth later this season.
“I see this team growing as we go forward,” said Leduc.
As Cabrera works to help her team in practice, behind the plate and with her bat, the Dukes have also made her feel at home during her first varsity season.
“It’s good. Everyone is really nice,” said Cabrera. “Everyone is really welcoming.”