Conference title for Wantagh

It took a while for Wantagh’s softball team to kick things into gear, but the Lady Warriors peaked at the right time after a sluggish start and finished atop what coach Christine Moran described as a “very balanced and unpredictable” Conference ABC-IV.

“Our energy level was incredible in the last two games,” said Moran, whose team defeated Valley Stream North and Wheatley on consecutive days to end the regular-season with a mark of 8-8. “We became the team we thought we had the potential to be,” she added.

Wantagh, which lost eight players to graduation and dropped its JV program in March, won just two of its first seven but closed by winning four of five. The strong finish was good enough to capture a conference that saw five teams separated by three games. “I don’t know exactly when we clicked, but it was just a matter of finding the right combination of players,” Moran said.

The Lady Warriors, who earned the No. 15 seed in the Nassau County Class A playoffs and were eliminated by second-seeded Island Trees in the opening round May 8, had the luxury of three capable pitchers, Moran said. “It’s unusual, especially for us, to have three pitchers to be able to go out and win games,” she said. “I’m confident in all of them.”

Senior Angela Burth brought the most experience to the circle and recorded three wins, including the conference-title clinching 15-7 victory over Wheatley on May 6. Burth, who also anchors the offense, is an asset at the hot corner as well. “Angela’s fast off third base and is a key when teams try to bunt against us,” Moran said. A day earlier, Burth drove in five runs in Wantagh’s playoff-sealing 12-7 win at Valley Stream North.

Freshman Haley Monahan enjoyed a huge first year on varsity, both as a hurler and hitter. She was the winning pitcher against North, and set the tone offensively all year with an on-base percentage of nearly .500 from the leadoff spot. “She does a great job fighting off pitches and finding ways to get on base,” Moran said. On non-pitching days, Monahan plays third base.

Eighth-grader Casey Leinbach was also a factor in the circle and picked up both of the team’s wins over Sewanhaka this spring. “Casey’s got great movement,” Moran said.

Sophomore catcher Julia Van O’Linda did a fine job of handling all the pitchers. The former middle infielder is a natural behind the plate, Moran said, and a steady contributor with the bat. She had three doubles, a single, and knocked in four runs in the win over Wheatley.

Up the middle, Wantagh’s defense was airtight with seniors Lindsey Stevens (shortstop) and Kelly Saronka (second base), and sophomore Julie Guica (center field.) Saronka swung a hot bat down the stretch and drove in four runs against Wheatley. Power-hitting Kristen Wilson and speedster Erica Estro were also steady contributors to an offense that averaged 15 runs over the last five games.