Freeport excited for road ahead

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The Freeport softball team’s largely junior- and senior-led roster are embracing their first full varsity season this spring in a challenging conference.

The Red Devils’ upperclassmen lost out on the 2020 season due to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and last year tackled an abridged schedule that didn’t get underway until late April amid many safety restrictions. 

“There is definitely a bond that they have all gone through some of this stuff together,” said fifth-year Freeport softball head coach Rich Genzone of the adversity his 14 juniors and seniors have faced the last two years. “They are very excited and happy to be outside without the mandate of the masks and knowing they are all healthy.”

Senior Ariana Turcios is the ace of the pitching staff in addition to being one of the team’s top offensive players. Junior Christina Wapples is another arm Genzone can turn to as the Red Devils compete in a grueling ability-based Conference V.

Catcher Brenna Igneri leads the pitching staff from behind the plate. Her twin sister Jillian Igneri also shines as first baseman with an explosive bat who went 3-for-4 with three RBIs in Freeport’s 12-8 loss to Manhasset on April 5. 

Versatile junior Dangeris Acedevo, who plays shortstop and outfield, is emerging as one of Freeport’s leading hitters her junior season. Sophomore third baseman Roselyn Cabrera is also a big bat in the lineup along with freshman second baseman Samantha Rodriguez, Turcios and the Igneri sisters. 

Senior Jazzmyn Hall, who has a reliable glove as center fielder, injured her ankle last week and Genzone hopes she will return soon to help aid Freeport’ stretch run to try and achieve a playoff berth for a third straight season. 

Freeport (1-4) dropped its first three games before recording a dramatic 11-10 win at home against Wheatley on April 7 in which the Red Devils rallied from a 9-0 deficit. Rodriguez went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and knocked in the winning run in the bottom of the seventh with the score knotted at 10-10. 

Turcios also shined in the Wheatley victory, tossing a complete game on the mound while going 3-for-5 with three runs and an RBI at the plate. Brenna Igneri went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. 

“We did not play very well in the field and spotted them a bunch of runs but they kept fighting and pushing,” Genzone said. “I am hoping we can build off of that.” 

Freeport will next be in action Tuesday at Locust Valley before embarking on a four-game homestand starting April 21 against Sewanhaka at 10 a.m. The Red Devils have a big hill to climb to reach the postseason, but Genzone likes that his team is taking on some of Nassau County’s top teams as a way to build up the program for future success.

“This year we are definitely being challenged,” he said. “These teams are very good and the fact that we are in the same conference as them I think says something about us and we have accomplished the last couple seasons.”