Marlboro girls look to defend 2021 softball title

By Mike Zummo
Posted 3/30/22

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association tournament is back this year, and that’s good news for the Marlboro softball team, which returns most of the team that won the Section …

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Marlboro girls look to defend 2021 softball title

Posted

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association tournament is back this year, and that’s good news for the Marlboro softball team, which returns most of the team that won the Section 9 Class B championship last year.

Despite losing Sydney Shuta, Jordan Carbone and Alyssa Macur, the Dukes are primed for another run.

Third-year coach Ray Leduc said he expects the 2022 campaign to be a good one with the goal in place to repeat as Section 9 champions and play in the newly restored state playoffs.

To that end, the Dukes have plenty of talent coming back.

Returning are Kasey Conn, a second-team all-state Class B all-star; Ella Leduc, a fourth-team all-state all-star; Emmie May Cabrera, pitcher Ava DelSalto, Carly Correa and Kalista Birkenstock.

They will mix with incoming sophomore Madison Gibney and freshman Emma Jackson.

“I am very excited for this season,” Leduc said. “We have a lot of returning players and have added a few new players to the roster. The core of the team has played together for many years now.”

The Highland Huskies are on the opposite end of the spectrum as they look to build from a 1-12 season in 2021.

The Huskies will move into the new season without center fielder Adrianna Scalo and outfielder Hailey Incorvaia, but feature a group of returning players, led by catcher Olivia Bell, center fielder Katie Dauenheimer, third baseman Gillian Dwyer, and shortstop Emma Hanlon.

Alexa Pavese, a freshman, will return in the circle.

“She throws hard and can move the ball around the zone,” sixth-year coach Kathelene Canosa said. “As long as we play solid defense behind her, we will be in every game.”

Several newcomers – catcher/designated hitter Marissa Incorvaia, outfielder Adrienne Post and pitcher Lexi Winters will join the team this year.

One of the keys to Highland’s success will be offensive consistency as their bats took a while to get going last year. This year, Canosa is looking for a faster start.

“I expect the girls to produce runs at a faster pace this year, and get ahead in more games because of this,” Canosa said. “This team has a lot of varsity experience and I foresee that experience paying out on the scoreboard.”

Despite that Highland competes with the larger Mid Hudson Athletic League schools, Canosa has higher expectations for her team this year. That comes from what the players have shown her so far.

“The girls are really excited for this year and have a tremendous drive and determination to perform well,” Canosa said.

The Dukes and Huskies will play each other twice this season. They will meet in Highland on April 20 and in Marlboro on May 9.