Glen Cove shows some progress

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After losing its finale to Wheatley on May 4, the Glen Cove softball team missed out on winning its conference by just a game and finished third in Nassau ABC-IV. The Lady Big Red completed its campaign at 7-9 with some progress and steps towards a potential league title next year and a conference promotion.

“That is our goal for next year of course… We want to finish in first in our league and move up a conference,” Glen Cove head coach Angela Zupa said. “We were only kept out of first by one game this year.”

Zupa’s squad was comprised of three award-winning juniors that have made their impact on this team throughout their softball careers.

Junior dynamo shortstop Jaynise Espinal received All-County honors thanks to her consistent bat and impressive defensive abilities.

Junior catcher Micaela Costello received an All-County honorable mention as her quick, slashing bat, blazing foot speed, and improving catching capabilities have caught the eye of the All-County Committee.

Outfielder/third base Angela McCarthy finished with All-Conference honors and was a big power threat in the heart of this Lady Big Red lineup. Each three of these juniors will return to this talented team next year, along with juniors Alyssa Schmidt and Brianna Malvino.

“Schmidt is due for a big year next year and Malvino I feel the same way,” Zupa said. “I feel confident that next year’s team will be even better than this year’s. We graduate three players this year but we return our award winners and have some nice pieces in the eight-grade system.”

The three seniors that have played their last softball games in the maroon and white include center-fielder Karla Fernandez, pitcher Nafeesah Ali, and OF Amber Brown.

Zupa is focused on who the pitcher will be come springtime of 2019. With Ali graduating, Zupa will take a hard look at some of the younger pitchers in the program. “We’ve got two girls with pitching experience who I will really take a look at, both Freshman Kristen Sita and sophomore Jennifer Heman will be leading candidates over the offseason.”

Zupa also is ecstatic the girls will be playing summer league, building rapport and improving steadily to get over the hump for those late games in the season.

Glen Cove strung together a late-season three-game win streak over Oyster Bay, Garden City and Lynbrook, however dropped its last two to East Rockaway and Wheatley.

Glen Cove’s win over Oyster Bay snapped a long mid-season skid and was a showcase for its All-County talent as Espinal delivered a 4-5 performance at the dish whilst also driving home the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Zupa believes that her core girls will work out the kinks over the summer and have the ability to win their league next year.

“They were upset after their last game because they knew they could have done it,” Zupa said. “I want to tell each and every girl ‘thank you’ for a great season, and I am looking forward to a bright future.”