Uniondale has conference title hopes

In a tightly contested race for the top spot in Nassau Conference VI softball, Uniondale finds itself second heading into this week’s action with an 8-2 record. 

Coming off a disappointing five-win season last spring where they finished near the bottom of their conference, this season has been a massive step forward for the Knights, giving them confidence moving forward down the stretch and potentially into the playoffs.

Uniondale has already surpassed its 2023 win total with six more games remaining in the conference schedule. "I'd say the season has already been a success," coach Doug Modica said. "Based off of what we did last year I think that in itself is a success. Now just finishing at the top of our conference would be the ultimate success." 

 Getting into the playoffs won't be an easy feat for the Knights. To make the playoffs from Conference IV, a team must win 85 percent of its games and two losses or less has usually been the standard to get in according to Modica. 

The bats for the Knights however, always give Uniondale a chance against anybody with their stellar display of power expected to show up every game. 

Junior Jada Scott leads the team in home runs with six. Senior Mearah Gray and junior Niya Vassell each have two homers and help bolster the offense. Senior Jocelynn Enamorado has been responsible for every inning pitched so far and all eight wins in the circle. 

One of the standouts has been Enamorado’s batter mate, senior Mia Bynum. “She's been fantastic in the field, blocking the ball, tagging runners out at home,” Modica said. “She's been a big surprise this year.” 

 Junior Brihanna Hall helps fill in whatever the coach needs in the outfield or the infield. "She has been a utility player, you put her anywhere in the field and she tends to excel. She's also a fantastic base runner, very fast and [has] a lot of stolen bases," Modica said. 

Junior Emely Carranza also has her versatility on full display whenever she steps on the field. She plays in any of the three outfield spots, as a catcher and is also a good hitter as well. 

The Knights dropped their first game of the year to Malverne, 5-4, but then ripped off an eight-game winning streak. They are now looking to rebound off a loss to Hewlett April 25 in which they dropped a 35-23 shootout. 

 Uniondale entered this week trailing only Hewlett (9-2) in the conference standings with one game in hand. The Knights are hoping to rally towards the end of the year and catch the Bulldogs for the title. The teams meet this Friday at Uniondale at 5 p.m.

Once the playoffs start, Modica likes his chances against anybody. 

"We can go hit for hit with any team that we faced so far,” he said. “Everyone on the team we can pretty much bank on getting a hit. That has been the biggest difference from this year to recent ones.”