80 THE QUEENS COURIER • MAY 16, 2013 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com sports Lady Terriers eye softball championship Terriers baseball vying for diocese title PREP-ING FOR BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP BY NEIL A. CAROUSSO [email protected] With a strong starting rotation and a solid bullpen, St. Francis Prep is eyeing its first baseball championship since 2007. Senior captain Nick LoPrinzi has been a major asset to the Terriers. LoPrinzi, a four-year varsity standout, has played behind the plate, on the mound and at first base in his young career. This season he is focusing on catching and calling a competitive game for star pitchers Taso Stathopolous and Dylan Lawrence. LoPrinzi will attend Saint Joseph’s College in Brooklyn next year, where he has a chance to start as a freshman. For now, he is focused on bringing a championship home to Fresh Meadows. “I think we have gotten better and better every year and we built a team this year that can win a championship,” LoPrinzi said. While the players are confident in their team, they will need to stay healthy and remain consistent throughout the season. Pitching and defense have been steady, but the offense has been the backbone of the team. “If we hit, in my opinion, no one can stop us,” LoPrinzi said. “This is definitely the best team I’ve played on during my years at Prep.” Senior Captain Nick LoPrinzi BY NEIL A. CAROUSSO [email protected] The St. Francis Prep Lady Terriers softball team began this season with high expectations. As the season winds down, they are looking to bring home a Brooklyn/Queens title. Danielle Cervasio has been on the team all four years, leading off the line-up and starting at shortstop. She has led her team to four winning seasons. A mainstay for the Lady Terriers, she will continue her student-athlete career at SUNY Cortland. “I think we have upheld a reputation as a top team and that has a lot to do with the coaching,” said Cervasio, who has a team-fi rst mentality. She has plenty to be excited about. The Lady Terriers have been just shy of a Brooklyn/Queens title the last four years, but that only makes them hungrier to win this season. They play in one of the most competitive leagues in New York. “I believe that we can go very far because we have a strong defense and a very tight line-up,” Cervasio said. “Every girl can hit and knows how to work the count and run the bases. They are all true softball players.” The Lady Terriers have a camaraderie that has benefi ted them on and off the fi eld. “I feel like we have really come together well as a team and everything clicks with these girls,” Cervasio said. “We all play very well together and communicate very well with each other.” The players have just a few teams in the way of their quest for a title. These include The Mary Louis Academy Hilltoppers and the Archbishop Molloy Stanners. If the Lady Terriers make it to the championship, game one will be on Monday, May 20 at Queens College. SFP Lady Terriers eyeing a Brooklyn/Queens title Danielle Cervasio throws the ball to freshman Taylor Russo.
QC05162013
To see the actual publication please follow the link above