|
MS Boys Baseball
The MS Boys Baseball team had a pretty successful season. We played very competitive baseball, winning some close games and losing some close games. It was really fun to watch the team play some high level baseball throughout the season. We only had 12 players on the roster, but everyone showed up and did well. The pitching was extremely strong behind the arms of 8th grader Adam G. and 7th graders Adam W., Adrian E., and Thomas C. When the bats were awake we had a strong offensive attack, we had some really nice hits and scored some exciting runs. The defensive play was pretty solid and kept us in the games. Eighth graders Adam G., Roman F., Steve F., and Sam W. led the way, and Seventh graders Griffin E., Malik W., Thomas, Chris R., Adam W., Aidan P., Jacob S-S, and Adrian E. were quick learners and contributed offensively and defensively. We are already looking forward to next year as these 7th graders move up and a strong class of current 6th graders move up to join the team next season. Blue Pride!
MS Girls Softball
Since we didn’t field a softball team last year, this year’s entire roster was brand new to the sport. The girls worked very hard and had an amazing growth curve as individual players and as a team. Each girl played at least two positions during the course of the season and some helped out the team, playing in three or four positions. Rose, Anastasia, Sarah, and Bella were awesome as our pitchers. They all experienced the excitement of striking out an opposing team’s batter. Anna E., Anna M., Melina and Airenakhue protected the plate as our catchers and were very encouraging to our pitchers. Lizzie, Jillian, Alana, Aria, and Daisy played primarily in the outfield for us and limited our opponents to doubles. Chloe, Aoife, Bella, and Hannah played primarily in the infield. Their fielding skills and cooperative work grew stronger each game. Our most exciting offensive effort came during the Friends Seminary game when BFS scored 5 runs in the bottom of the third inning. Throughout the season the girls showed extraordinary school spirit, good sportsmanship, perseverance, and support for one another. Coaches Jenna and Marna were honored to coach these young athletes. Blue Pride!
US Boys Varsity Baseball – A Season of Success
The pre-season: Going into my second season as head coach of the varsity team, Dave Gardella and I thought it would be good for the baseball program to get into a second baseball league. So along with our PSAA schedule we decided to join the ISAL. With those added games in mind I felt we should enter the season in terrific shape and ready to play. So this year we had our toughest training regimen that I have seen in my five seasons as a BFS coach. The first week particularly was dramatically changed. Gone were the endless ground balls, whiffle ball games and soft toss sessions in the upper gym. Instead they were replaced by 1.5 to 2 mile runs, calisthenics, lots of stretching and fundamental baseball training.
The regular season: The change in training practices paid immediate dividends as the team defeated Bay Ridge Prep (BRP) in the season opener by a 6-3 score. It looked like game 2 was heading toward another one for the win column as the boys took a 7-0 lead into the fourth inning, but Evangel Christian High School (ECH) chipped away and won the game in their last at bat by a final of 8-7. Game three was another tough 8-7 loss to Martin Luther High School (MLHS). Game 4 was against Churchill of the ISAL. This game marked the first opportunity for some of the younger players to log some playing time. The players responded and won a close 6-4 rain shortened decision. Game 5 represented an opportunity for redemption against MLHS. Along with the chance to pull even in the PSAA, it was the team’s annual trip to MCU (formerly Keyspan) Park. In the game BFS Pitchers Maceo and Misha held MLHS to just four hits and two runs as they held on for a dramatic 3-2 extra inning victory. Game 6 was a convincing 12-5 victory over Elizabeth Erwin (LREI). However, the win streak did not last long as the team took its worst defeat of the season in game 7, a 9-3 drubbing at the hands of BRP. The team got back on course over its next four games as they banged out their best win streak of the season with wins over York Prep (5-4), two wins over Nazareth (10-9 and 11-0) and a 9-3 win over Lawrence Woodmere Academy (LWA). In their next game (game 12) the team boarded the bus for the long trip back to LWA but fell short in their drive for five as they dropped a 6-4 decision. The losing streak reached two as they lost their rematch with ECH by a 7-2 final. Due to a couple of rainouts the schedule wrapped up early and the team took on Rudolph Steiner in their regular season finale. The game was just what the team needed as they scored eight runs in back to back innings as they pounded out a 16-2 victory.
The Playoffs: The team’s playoffs started with the PSAA semi-final game. Having been outscored 14-2 over their previous 10 innings by their first round opponent ECH, the BFS team was a clear underdog. Undaunted or intimidated, the boys went toe-to-toe with ECH for the first four innings before finally busting the game open in the top of the fifth inning with a six run outburst. As they had done in their first meeting ECH displayed true grit and fought all the way back to tie the game 6-6 in the bottom of the seventh. After surviving a one out triple in the bottom of the eighth inning, BFS again wore down the opposing pitcher and struck for seven runs in the top of the ninth. But in the playoffs nothing comes easy and ECH fought back for three runs in the bottom of the ninth. So with the bases loaded and no one out the tying run stepped to the plate. BFS brought in freshmen pitcher Avery M. to try to shut to the door. And shut the door he did. The first batter he faced grounded weakly to third and the next two struck out to propel BFS into the PSAA finals.
But before the PSAA finals the Panthers took on Garden School in the ISAL finals. The game was close as the teams traded the lead five times over the first four innings. So into the bottom of the fourth BFS trailed 5-4, but would take the lead for good with a four run outburst. In the fifth they added on two more for a commanding 11-5 lead. Now in the hands of the defense the panthers were just six outs away from their first title under coach Pittari. Avery M. completed the sixth inning and Misha H.came on to pitch the seventh. He allowed only one run and closed out the game for the 11-6 victory and the ISAL title.
The Panthers did not fare so well in the PSAA title game. Once again taking on LWA, BFS took an early 2-0 with back-to-back RBI doubles by Ben R. and Misha H. in the top of the first. But LWA took advantage of a couple of errors in the third inning to take a 4-2 lead. LWA added three runs in the fifth to run the lead to five. In the sixth BFS displayed that Blue Pride as they fought back with three runs to pull within two once again at 7-5. After a scoreless bottom of sixth, BFS came to bat in the seventh to try to complete the comeback. And after a two out walk to Misha brought the tying run to the plate, that’s just what they had… a chance. But unfortunately the LWA center fielder was able to run down a long fly ball by Ben to end the game and the season.
The loss stopped a playoff run that includes a PSAA Semi-Final win against ECH (8-2) and an ISAL championship win against Garden School (4-1). However, the one thing the loss couldn't stop was the heart and pride the Panthers displayed from start to finish of the 2010 season. Finishing with an 11-6 (5-0 ISAL) record the Panthers showed fans and coaches a glimpse of one possible future that could see them compete for both titles again next year. Graduating no seniors in 2010, the team expects to return all of its starters in 2011. The coaching staff is as you might expect excited at the prospect of getting back one of the team’s talented players in the person of Owen K., as well developing what looks to be a promising freshmen baseball class. So come out and support your Panthers in 2011. They play with great heart, determination and of course with lots of Blue Pride
US Girls Varsity Softball
The girls varsity softball team finished their season with a 2-7 record (1-6 league). Senior Maqueda S. played out her last few games at third base and had the most memorable hit of the season, with a huge home run in our win over Churchill. Pitcher Molly A. honed her pitching skills and had many strike outs and continued her 2 hits/game average. She showed great power with 3 home runs this season and at least one double per game. She led all offensive categories. Her fellow juniors rounded out the team and Sarah D. had a strong defensive season at first base and contributed with many hits and runs scored. Mizami S-W returned to the team after a year away and did a great job behind the plate at catcher until she was injured and then Miranda V-S took over. Olivia J., Camille S. and Sammy R. played where ever needed and were positive leaders on the team. Sophomore Jun H. became the starting second baseman after a stint at shortstop and also became the leadoff hitter. Her speed and ability to draw walks made her an offensive weapon on the base paths. Sophomore Sonja S. was a back-up pitcher and took over 3rd base after Maqueda left for a senior internship. Willa Rubin (second base and left field) and Romy S. were very aggressive at the plate. Freshmen Herron H. and Sofia P. made huge impacts on the team. Herron became the starting shortstop and batted second while Sofia started in center field and showed surprising speed and power, hitting two home runs this season. There were many wonderful moments this year, but we had trouble closing out games and lost several games in the last inning. The valuable lessons we learned will carry us through until next year, where we hope to return to the playoffs.
US Track
The BFS Track and Field team had a great season with lots of all-time best times and the largest number of middle school participants ever. The upper school team was led by junior Kieran N. who won the Independent School New York State 800 meter Championship and will be competing at the New York Federation Championships in Vestal, NY on June 11th. Kieran also won his 8th individual ACIS Championship this season by winning the 800 meter run in that meet as well. The team set several school records including; Kieran in the 200 meter, 800 meter, and mile runs. Zoe B. in the girls 800 meter run in 2:51 and Jake N. set the school record in the long jump at 14'11". With no seniors on the team, the BFS track team will be looking forward to continuing to improve all over the track next spring and also on the cross country course this fall. Fall cross country practice begins August 23rd for upper schoolers and September 1st for middle schoolers. |