The St. Saviour H.S., Park Slope, varsity softball team capped off its miracle season with a victory in the Brooklyn/Queens ‘B’ Division Diocesan Championship.
The Pandas finished with a league-best 10-1 record and added two more playoff victories to bring their overall record to 12-1.
After a .500 regular season finish last year and a loss in the championship game to Bishop Ford H.S., Park Slope, St. Saviour was poised for another deep post-season run. The team returned six key players, three of whom played their fourth year of varsity softball this season.
Head Coach Robert Atanasio, who is also the school’s athletic director, took over the program this year after its former coach, Jim Gregson, was unable to coach. Atanasio relied on the team’s experience and versatility to lead them to the title.
“I just can’t say enough about this team,” said Atanasio. “They make me look so good.”
On May 19, the Pandas defeated Bishop Loughlin M.H.S., Clinton Hill, 14-4, in the semi-final match-up. The game was played at Coney Island’s softball field right behind MCU Park, the home of the Brooklyn Cyclones. Though both teams were forced to deal with lots of wind and fog, the Pandas did not let the conditions affect their attack.
Just four days later, St. Saviour lifted the championship plaque with a 16-6 win against Bishop Ford at Dyker Park, Dyker Heights. Ford handed the Pandas their only regular season loss, so Atanasio claims the final game was the team’s most exciting win of the season.
St. Saviour enjoyed an offensive explosion in the championship game. In addition to the 16 runs, the Pandas recorded 15 hits, and eight of the nine starters had at least one hit.
Senior team MVP Ruby Scarantino played a major role in leading the Pandas to the playoffs. The team’s No. 3 hitter played center field, first base and pitcher this season.
“She was a solid player both offensively and defensively for us all year long,” said Atanasio.
However, Scarantino broke her leg in the semi-final game, causing her to miss the championship, but she was right there on the sidelines cheering her team on as they brought home the crown. She will attend the College of Mount Saint Vincent, Riverdale, in the fall.
Scarantino’s replacement in the batting order, sophomore third baseman Elizabeth Texeira, picked up the offensive slack in a big way. She had a “Mark Teixeria-like” performance in the championship game, finishing four-for-five on the day.
Senior first baseman Alyson Caiazzo and catcher Gabby DiGiacomo also had strong offensive games against Bishop Ford. Caiazzo was three-for-four with a triple and drove in the game-winning run, while DiGiacomo had two hits and two runs scored. Caiazzo will play basketball next year at Manhattanville College, Purchase.
Junior shortstop Kathleen Hachmeyer, a three-year varsity player, served as the team’s spark plug in the leadoff position. Even more important than her ability to get on base, Hachmeyer was a rock defensively for the Pandas.
“Offense comes and goes, but defense is where you win games,” said Atanasio. “It’s an old cliché, but it’s so true.”
First-year varsity players Samantha and Brianna Menze, both juniors, were also contributors on defense. Samantha was a steady force in center field, while Brianna held down second base.
Freshman Hannah Lawrence was the team’s main pitcher and did a great job on the mound. Unfortunately for St. Saviour, Lawrence will be moving to North Carolina. However, sophomore Kirsten Sheridan is expected to slide into the starting pitcher’s role.
“My biggest problem was not getting in their way and just let them do what they do best,” said Atanasio.
Atanasio credits Gregson and assistant coach Rocco Scarantino, Ruby’s father, for preparing the team for a championship. He believes these two coaches made his job easy, since they did much of the work with the young women.
“They had the girls ready to win it all this year,” said Atanasio. “They did an outstanding job with them.”
Throughout the season, the Pandas exemplified Catholic ideals and learned valuable life lessons. While the team made it a habit, winning was not the most important factor when playing on the diamond.
Atanasio stressed that his players take pride in their family values, their religion and their school. These values not only paid off on the field but also in building character.
“I just can’t say enough about what they’ve accomplished this whole year on how they portrayed the beliefs of the school and their Catholic backgrounds,” said Atanasio.
With the victory in softball, St. Saviour won its third diocesan championship of the school year. The Pandas took home the Brooklyn-Queens title in tennis and basketball. Five of the softball players also played for the title-winning basketball team.
The softball team will return a strong core of six players as it hopes to defend the title. Gregson will be back coaching the Pandas as he tries to follow up Atanasio’s terrific run.