West Hempstead climbs to top

West Hempstead has bounced back nicely after a difficult 2011 season on the softball diamond. With solid pitching, strong defense, and some timely hitting, the Rams are atop Conference ABC-IV with a 4-1 record and stand at 6-3 overall.

Senior first baseman Laura Boehm smacked a two-run home run in the top of the third inning to lead the Rams to a 12-0 win over Friends Academy on April 19. Senior third baseman Noreen White was 2-for-3 with four RBI, and pitcher Emily Esposito tossed her first career shutout.

Coach Chris Van Kovics believes the key is following the game plan. “The girls have followed the blueprint,” Van Kovics said. “The pitchers have been throwing strikes, the defense has been making plays, and it helps that we’re healthy. We’re a senior-laden team. The leadership the seniors have provided has been very important. We just try to get better each day.”

After dropping consecutive non-league contests to Mineola and Garden City, the Rams have won five of the past six games. Senior second baseman Toni-Ann Rodriguez went 4-for-5 with three runs scored and three stolen bases to lead West Hempstead to an 11-7 win over South Side.

Van Kovics believes Rodriguez is one of the biggest reasons for the team’s success. “Toni-Ann has been the catalyst for us at the top of the order,” Van Kovics said. “She works the count, gets on base, and then wreaks havoc on the base paths. She makes us go.”

After a loss to Hewlett, West Hempstead got a 3-for-4 effort from sophomore center fielder Angela Graci in a 15-7 home win over Lynbrook. Esposito, who had two hits and scored three runs, went the distance to get the win.

Junior catcher Jackie Tartaglia was the hero in a thrilling win over Locust Valley. Tartaglia hit a walk off home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the Rams a 12-11 victory. The Lady Falcons scored twice in the top of the seventh to tie the game at 11.

West Hempstead’s winning ways continued when the Rams went Roslyn came to town. Senior Rebecca Ruggiano gave West Hempstead a lead it would not relinquish when she singled home Tartaglia in the bottom of the third inning, and the Rams got excellent defense in a 3-2 win. Senior pitcher Lisa Gorton earned the victory.

West Hempstead has gotten excellent infield defense from Boehm, White, Rodriguez, and senior shortstop Danielle Bolognini. 

Van Kovics believes the solid defense and consistent pitching will continue to be the important elements in the second half. “Our pitchers don’t blow hitters away, but they throw strikes and keep hitters off-balance,” Van Kovics said. “If we play defense they way we are, we should be in every game. A year ago, we were losing all the close ones, this year we’re finding ways to get it done.”

The Rams travel to Lynbrook’s Atlantic Avenue School to take on the Lady Owls this Friday at 4:30 p.m.