Niagara Frontier League Softball Conference Preview

Niagara Frontier League Softball Conference Preview

School Name: Charter School for Applied Technology

Head Coach: Jamee Rinehart

Assistant Coaches: Abby Sotter

2021 Varsity Record: 0-16

Key Players Returning: Ryley Kiebzak, Shalyce Thornton and Sydney Harvey

New Players to watch out for: Elena Mendez

School Name: Grand Island

Head Coach: Cheryl O’Connor

Assistant Coaches: Art Meaney

2021 Varsity Record: 16-0 in our league, NFL Champs

Key Players Returning: Isabelle Pezdek (NFL pitcher of the year) Kaci Gottler (NFL 1st Team P, CF, LF)

New Players to watch out for: Too many to mention but here are a few: Brooke Caldwell (2nd, OF), Madayln Montes (SS, 2nd),

Olivia Floro (CF, LF)

Key Losses due to Graduation: Haley Coombs ( 1st team NFL Catcher), Morgan Tollner (1st Team NFL CF), Grace Carey (2nd Team NFL 3rd base), Rose Meaney (2nd team NFL 1st base), Kendall Suffoletta (3rd Team NFL OF)

School Name:  Kenmore East

Head Coach:  Bryan Burmans

Assistant Coaches:  Peter King

2021 Varsity Record:  8-11

Key Players Returning:   Jane Reilly, Maria Judge, Madison Esmond, Gianna Core (P)

New Players to watch out for:  Tatiana Arroyo, Allison Schuler

Key Losses due to Graduation:  Gabrielle Sordetto, Emma Stasio, Lehla Fisher

Players committed to Playing in College and Where if known?  Madison Esmond-Fredonia

School Name: Kenmore West

Head Coach: Kim Leggett

Assistant Coaches: Tony Valente, Lexie Dymond

2021 Varsity Record: 8-8 NFL, 9-9 Overall (11-10 includes Sectional Play)

Key Players Returning: Ella Valente – pitcher, Olivia Foglia-Leffler – catcher, Victoria Hatch – 1B/pitcher; all three big contributors at the plate; Leah Fron – captain, 3B, great glove, consistent bat, impeccable leadership; Julia Cipolla moves from LF to CF to lead the OF

New Players to watch out for: Sam Horne (10th) and Dani Hatch (9th) – will fill vital holes at middle infield; strong bats

Key Losses due to Graduation: CF Mariah Semple, SS AnnaRose Roulley

Any Additional Information: Alumni Allie Chimera and Emily King join the staff as the Junior Varsity Coaches

School Name: Lewiston-Porter

Head Coach: Larry Lash

Assistant Coaches: Lindsay Yates, Joe Palermo

2021 Varsity Record: Overall- 4-14, League- 2-14

Key Players Returning: Sarah Alexander, Megan Galbraith, Zoe Nichols, Serenity Fitzgerald, Emily Palermo

New Players to watch out for: Julia Hoffman, Reyes Rodriguez, Alyssa Dashineau, Mikayla Alexander

Key Losses due to Graduation: Ava Staub, Meghan Baio

Players committed to Playing in College and Where if known? Sarah Alexander- Herkimer Community College

School Name: Lockport Lady Lions

Head Coach: Stephen Kojsza

Assistant Coaches: Shawn Haley

2021 Varsity Record: 11-5 NFL, Lost in 1st round of sectionals to NF

Key Players Returning: Brianna Delaney 11, Abbey Rice 11, Iyanna King 11, Anna Cascia 12

New Players to watch out for: Cecelia Loiacano 10

Key Losses due to Graduation: Hayley Robinson, Cecelia Waters

Any Additional Information: Lockport Softball is back this season with a younger team but have plenty of athletes with Varsity Softball experience. There is a great core group of girls who are bridging over to the newcomers on the team this year. The team is eager for some success in a very busy spring season.

School Name: Niagara Falls High School

Head Coach: Martha Amoretti

Assistant Coaches: Rose Polk, Patrina Leo, Samantha Jurczak

2021 Varsity Record: 12-6

Key Players Returning: Jessica Eagan, Madison Vekich, Emilia Marra, Leah Zacher

New Players to watch out for: Ava White, Isabella Maynard, Molly Syposs

Key Losses due to Graduation: Kaylee Griffith, Abbey Roeser, Chelsea Miller

School Name:  Niagara Wheatfield High School

Head Coach: Kevin P. Schucker

Assistant Coaches:  Glenn Hiwiller

2021 Varsity Record:  NFL 13-3 (2nd Place) Overall 15-5

Key Players Returning:  Elanna Lysiak  Senior Captain Shortstop 2021 NFL Player of the Year and All Western NY Player.  Batted .500 last year w/34 RBI.

Julia Kwitchoff Sophomore Captain Pitcher & wins on the mound last year and struck out 1.5 batters per inning last year.  Also has a big bat, had 10 xbh last season.

Grace Albano Senior Captain CF  1st team NFL last year had a great offensive year for us last year, batted .477 and 16 bb’s as our leadoff hitter.

Gianna Graber freshman pitcher had 7 wins in the circle last season,  Sasha Zayatz Junior 3B (BA .328, very solid defensively)  Maris Huff 8th Grade Catcher batted .410 last year and owns the honor of hitting the first over the fence homerun on our new turf field as a 7th grader.

New Players to watch out for:  Elyssa Giannini sophomore will start at 1B, very solid defensively and brings a big bat.

Key Losses due to Graduation: Jenna Augugliaro Captian, outstanding leadership, solid behind the mound and batted .390 last season.

Any Additional Information: Great senior leadership from Gabby Fuerch (OF) and Danika DiRienzo (OF).  Sara McCune has been working hard and is looking to make an impact this season.

Players committed to Playing in College and Where if known?  Elanna Lysiak-St. John University, and Grace Albano NCCC

School Name: North Tonawanda High School

Head Coach: Emily Belfield

2021 Varsity Record: 4-12

Key Players Returning: Lexi Brennan and Haileigh Suitor

New Players to watch out for: Cara Thompson

Any Additional Information: Basically a brand new program rebuilding. We have a very young program and are looking to move up key JV players throughout the year that will play integral roles to our success in the coming years.