Lady Bruins eye playoff spot

Baldwin’s inability to win close games ultimately kept it from qualifying for the Nassau Class AA softball playoffs a year ago, but coach Tom Llewellyn is counting on the return of six starters to lead the Lady Bruins to the postseason.

“This is probably the closest team we’ve had since I’m coaching here and also one of the most experienced,” Llewellyn said. “We stayed in Conference II and I expect us to do well.”

Baldwin, which finished 7-12 in 2009, has come out of the gate swinging with wins in three of five non-league games. 

The Lady Bruins feature a tremendous battery with senior pitcher Ashley Ainbinder and senior catcher Sam Vani and big-time defense up the middle with senior Arielle Cummings in center field, senior Jasmine Abreu at second base and junior Katie Greene at shortstop.

Ainbinder, who is bound for Hofstra University, pitched every inning of every game last season but won’t have to carry a full workload with talented freshman Carly Mertens in the fold. Ainbinder, an All-County selection, is just as imposing in the batter’s box as she is when she’s in the circle. After hitting .450 as a junior, she’s off to a torrid start at the plate (13-for-18, three home runs, 15 RBI’s) and drove in seven runs to lead a 22-12 win at Lawrence on March 27.

“Ashley’s offensive ability is great,” Llewellyn said. “As a pitcher, she’s toughest when she’s hitting her spots.”

Vani’s an All-Division backstop who hits in the cleanup spot. She tripled home Ainbinder in the bottom of the seventh for a 7-6 win over Manhasset on March 26. “She’s solid defensively and protects Ashley in the lineup,” Llewellyn said of Vani. “She’s a powerful hitter who’s going to get plenty of opportunities to drive in runs.”

With Cummings and Abreu setting the table at the top of the order, Baldwin’s offense has what it takes to thrive. Cummings, coming off an All-Conference season, is a left-handed slap hitter with blazing speed. “Arielle can change the complexion of a game,” Llewellyn said. “She’s our offensive catalyst. When she’s on base, good things happen.” The same goes for Abreu, who has outstanding bat control and puts the ball in play.

Greene, the team’s vocal leader, plays exceptional defense and stepped into the No. 5 slot in the batting order. Sophomore Olivia Phillips has a cannon arm at third base, and junior Ahmadi Tracey and sophomore Robyn Cascio are contributing at first. Junior Michelle Ventimiglia covers plenty of ground in right, and Llewellyn is still waiting for someone to emerge and lock down the starting nod in left.

The Lady Bruins face Plainview-JFK, MacArthur, Oceanside and Syosset twice apiece and play crossover games against each of the six teams in Conference I, including defending county champion Long Beach and runner-up Carey.