Positive finish for South Side

Turning the table on three conference rivals and giving eventual champion Wantagh all it could handle twice were the highlights of a winning softball season for South Side, which enjoyed a stretch of seven wins in nine games after a 1-3 start.

The Lady Cyclones dropped their finale to Wheatley but still finished with an 8-6 mark in Conference ABC-III with a starting lineup consisting of mostly underclassmen. “We have huge potential for the future with so many youngsters,” coach Kristen Aksionoff said. “The growth we had this year was recognized by other coaches. Some said we looked like a different team the second time we faced them. I’m really proud of the progress.”

Aksionoff said she noticed a shift in confidence, morale and enthusiasm after South Side won three straight over a five-day span in mid-April to get over the .500 mark. The last of those victories saw it rally from six runs down to beat Valley Stream South, 9-8, and avenge a loss in the first meeting. “That game was a turning point,” she said. “It took a little while for the younger players to get comfortable and get used to the speed of varsity. Once that happened, we started to take off.”

A pair of freshmen — pitcher Morgan Gilligan and catcher Katarina Mazzanobile — comprised the starting battery for more than half of the games. Gilligan made 10 starts in the circle and earned All-Conference honors, striking out 105 on the year. She also batted .472. “Morgan found her groove and clicked,” Aksionoff said. “She’s a physically strong and knowledgeable pitcher who communicates very well.”

Mazzanobile was solid behind the plate working with Gilligan and sophomore pitcher Emma Wagner, who beat Manhasset and Wheatley to start the aforementioned win streak. “Emma increased her speed and is also difficult to hit,” Aksionoff said. “She’s a big part of this team and it’s great to have two talented young pitchers.”

Junior Erin Dooney, who hit a team-high .488 and earned All-Conference honors while seeing time at first base and right field, and senior shortstop Hanna Festa, an Honorable Mention All-County selection, led the offense. Festa hit .454 with a team-leading on-base percentage of .643. “I’m so glad Erin’s got another year,” Aksionoff said of Dooney. “She’s the epitome of a leader.”

Festa was pitched around regularly, the coach said, but showed discipline at the plate. “We have huge shoes to fill at shortstop,” said Aksionoff, who also must replace two-thirds of the outfield. Senior center fielder Katelin Benincasa and senior left fielder Emily LaCava were solid and came up big in what Aksionoff said was the most memorable win of the season. Benincasa was 4-for-5 and LaCava went 3-for-4, and each had two RBIs and two runs in South Side’s 14-3 victory at Valley Stream North on April 21. Dooney and sophomore Mary Macre blasted homers over the fence.

The Lady Cyclones suffered a pair of hard-fought losses to Wantagh by a combined three runs. “They were bummed but it made them realize they could play with anyone,” Aksionoff said.