One of the weekly sports sections for The Smithtown News produced by Anthony Lifrieri in May of 2014

1. The Smithtown News ~ May 22, 2014 ~ Page 23
Sports
By ANTHONY LIFRIERI
Just six days after their epic 15-13 match-up,
Smithtown East and West girls’ lacrosse went at it
again. This time, it was for more than town pride as
the two teams took part in the first ever Battle of the
Bulls’ girls lacrosse playoffs with Smithtown East
prevailing 13-11, Friday, May 16 at Smithtown High
School West.
Heading into their first ever playoff match-ups,
both teams were looking forward to another tight
game. “There’s a first time for everything,” Smithtown
East coach Ann Naughton said prior to the game.
“We’re excited we were both able to make the playoffs
because it was a goal of ours and to play Smithtown
West is great.”
“They know us and we know them. This is not
something we wanted because one of us can’t move on
after today,” Smithtown West coach Carie Bodo said.
“This game is going to be about who throws better,
who runs faster and who makes the better saves.”
Smithtown West got off to a hot start when senior
attacker Loren Antonacci scored using an overhand-
shot before senior goalie Jess Meyers made a save.
The Blue Bulls seemed primed to add a second goal,
but Smithtown East junior goalie Ashley Stoessell
made a save off shooting space.
On the ensuing Smithtown East attack, freshman
midfielder Shannon Kavanagh got the Red Bulls on
the board with a high shot off shooting space with
18:18 remaining in the first half. However, Smithtown
West sophomore midfielders Mackenzie Heldberg and
Natalia Lynch answered back with goals to put West
up 3-1 midway through the half.
The Red Bulls went back on the attack and got
EastbestsWestforsecondtimeinaweek
(Continued on page 16)
BALL CONTROL: Smithtown East junior goalie Ashley Stoessell (above, #36) protects the ball from Smithtown West
senior midfielder Pam Giordano (left, #24) and sophomore midfielder Mackenzie Heldberg (right, #11) in the Red Bulls’
13-11 victory, Friday, May 16 at Smithtown High School West. -Richard Vaieo photo

2. Page 22 ~ The Smithtown News ~ May 22, 2014
Sports
Badminton players take part in county title
By ANTHONY LIFRIERI
Badminton players from Smithtown
High Schools East and West and
Commack High School took part in the
Section XI Individual Championships
at Smithtown High School West,
Tuesday,May20.Threesinglesplayers,
Smithtown East senior Mike Moawad,
Smithtown West senior Kat DeLanty
and Smithtown East sophomore Tara
Korkus, achieved individual all-county
honors along with doubles pairings
from both Smithtowns and Commack.
Local players in the boys single
bracket were highlighted by Moawad.
Entering as the third seed in the
tournament, Moawad scored a victory
over Smithtown East’s Alex Gugliotta
to earn a spot in the semifinals against
Jesse Morgan of Half Hollow Hills.
In the semifinals, Moawad lost the
first game 11-15, but gutted out a 15-
11 win in game two to force a decisive
third game. With momentum from
game two, Moawad dominated game
three, winning 15-7 to earn a spot in
the finals.
“The semifinals was one of the best
games I’ve ever played,” Moawad said.
“I just felt different. I could make every
shot.”
Although he lost in the finals to Half
Hollow Hills’ Alfred Sim, 15-2, 15-10,
Moawad’s performance was good for
second in Suffolk County and all-
county honors.
“I went past my expectations. In tenth
grade I didn’t even make the roster, so
this feels pretty good,” Moawad said.
“This has been a great season because
of my teammates. They’re literally
the reason I’m here. They’re always
cheering for me, and it feels great to
know they’re behind me.”
The girls singles bracket featured
a pair of all-county players from
Smithtown. Entering as the 5 seed,
Korkus had a first round bye before
beating the 12 seed from Smithtown
West to reach the quarterfinals.
She then won a match against
Commack’s Jackie Bimbaum, who was
honors while being its runner-up in her
final match of high school badminton.
“I’m pretty proud. I definitely wish
I could have won in the finals but I
had really good competition,” DeLanty
said. “Overall, I’m pretty happy with
the turnout and I think I had a good
season.”
In girls doubles, Smithtown West
seniors Jamie Greco and Taryn
DiRocco entered as the top overall seed
and scored a victory over the 16 seed
from Lindenhurst in the first round
before battling the nine seed from
Walt Whitman to reach the semifinals.
Taking on fourth seed Divya Rao and
Monica Chen of Half Hollow Hills,
Greco and DiRocco lost a tight first
game 15-11, but rallied to win game
two, 15-9. In the decisive third game,
DiRocco and Greco fell 15-10, but still
qualified for the consolation match.
In the consolation match, Greco and
DiRocco took on second seed Siera
Swaby and Cindy Huang of Half Hollow
Hills, but lost 15-0, 15-3. However,
their performance was still good
enough to earn all-county honors.
“I’m very proud of my partner and
I because we worked so hard for this.
Working with her has been incredible.
We learned each other’s styles and
really coordinated our shots. It’s also
been great working with our coaches,”
Greco said. “As seniors I’m glad we
could place because we won’t get
another chance to do it again.”
“I’m really happy we were able to get
where we are now,” DiRocco said. “We
tried our best and gave it all we had.
I’m especially happy because I have no
regrets. We worked so hard throughout
the season. I don’t think I’d change
anything that happened.”
Boys doubles featured a pair of
all-county pairings. Commack senior
Bryan Brandman and junior Matt
Sadiker entered as the five seed and
beat the 13 seed from Half Hollow
Hills in the first round and a win over
fifth seed Walt Whitman in the second
to advance to the semifinals. In the
the four seed and had turned in an all-
league performance to advance to the
semifinals.
DeLanty was the top overall seed
and won her first match against the
17 seed from Commack before beating
the nine seed from Walt Whitman to
earn a spot in the semifinals against
Korkus. DeLanty was able to score
semifinals victory in straight games
over Korkus, 11-4, 11-7, to earn a spot
in the finals while Korkus moved onto
the consolation match.
In the consolation match, Korkus
lost 11-5, 11-9, but still clinched one
of the top four spots in Suffolk County
and all-county honors despite the
inexperience of being a sophomore.
“It feels great to be all-county,
especially because all the people
I played against were juniors and
seniors. I didn’t expect to win yesterday
because I lost to the girl from Commack
(Bimbaum) all season,” Korkus said.
“It was scary because you don’t know
what to expect while other people have
been here already.”
In the finals, DeLanty won the first
game over Half Hollow Hills’ Carly
Cordano, 13-12, but lost the second,
11-9. Despite the loss, DeLanty was
pleased she could achieve all-county (Continued on page 16)
LIGHT ON THEIR FEET: Smithtown East sophomore Tara Korkus (left) and senior Will
Engellenner (above) return shots while Smithtown West senior Kat DeLanty (below, left)
and Smithtown East senior Mike Moawad (below, right) celebrate their second place
finishes at the Suffolk County Individual Badminton Championships, Tuesday, May 12 at
Smithtown High School West. -Anthony Lifrieri photos

3. Page 20 ~ The Smithtown News ~ May 22, 2014
Sports
Kingsmen erase 6-0 deficit to win 7-6 in seventh
Walk-off winners
By ANTHONY LIFRIERI
These are the kind of games that forges champions.
Kings Park baseball fell behind 6-0, but rallied to
score seven runs over the game’s final three innings
to beat Lindenhurst, 7-6, in a playoff walk-off,
Wednesday, May 14 at Kings Park High School.
The Kingsmen entered the playoff game against
Lindenhurst rolling. They had won their first league
championship in ten years the week before, secured
the four seed in the playoffs and won their playoff
opener on the arm of senior pitcher Tom Bonelli’s
complete game three hit shutout of East Islip.
“I like how the team is going. We’re pitching, playing
defense and are focused,” Kings Park coach Mike
Luzim said prior to the game. “As long as we have no
mental mistakes or give up a big inning, we should
be alright.”
Luzim’s fears were realized in the first two innings.
Errors, walks and wild pitches allowed five runs to
score, but Kings Park senior pitcher Ryan Votypka
got out of a bases loaded jam in the first inning to
prevent further damage.
The Kingsmen threatened in the bottom of the
second with a two out triple down the right field
line by junior designated hitter John Nici, but the
Bulldogs escaped the inning by inducing a ground
out. Matters were made worse for Kings Park when
the Bulldogs added another run in the top of the third
to take a 6-0 lead.
Trailing by six runs, Kings Park seemed finished.
Not even a grand slam could tie the game and the
team had yet to push in any runners. However, there
was no quit in the Kingsmen.
A spark came in the top of the fourth when senior
right fielder Chris DiAngelo trekked deep into foul
territory in right field to snag a foul ball, which helped
power Votypka to his first 1-2-3 inning.
Senior first baseman Tommy Crocco led off the
bottom of the fourth with a walk before senior catcher
Donavon Hunt attempted a sacrifice bunt. Hunt’s
bunt would be the first break of the game for Kings
Park. The Lindenhurst fielder attempted to throw to
first for the out, but the throw sailed high and into
the outfield which not only allowed both runners
to be safe, but advanced them into scoring position
with no one out.
With second and third and no out, Kings Park’s
shortstop hit a ground ball to second base. Crocco
charged home on contact and the Lindenhurst
second baseman, rather than taking the sure out
at first, went home with the throw. Crocco was able
to slide in safely for Kings Park’s first run while the
other runners reached safely.
In the following at-bat, DiAngelo took advantage of
runners on the corners with a single to right field to
score Hunt. Baker also took third on the play and a
throw to third base allowed DiAngelo to take second
to put two runners in scoring position for Nici. Nici
then laid down a textbook sacrifice bunt down the
third base line to score Baker and cut the Kingsmen’s
deficit to 6-3.
Although the Kingsmen had the makings of a
massive rally, a failed squeeze play and a ground
out to the pitcher got the Bulldogs out of the inning.
However, Kings Park had begun to chip away at the
deficit and cut it in half with three innings left to play.
Votypka started the top of the fifth strong with a
strikeout and ground out, but back to back singles
put him into a jam. In the next at-bat, both runners
got into scoring position on a wild pitch, but Votypka
bared down and got the batter to ground out to second
base to escape unscathed.
Prior to Lacascia leading off the bottom of the fifth
SAFE AT HOME: Kings Park senior shortstop Lee Baker (above, #4) slides around the tag and into home safely for the winning run to cap off a six run comeback. After scoring the
run, Baker is mobbed by his teammates (below). Wednesday, May 14 at Kings Park High School. -Richard Valeo photos

4. The Smithtown News ~ May 22, 2014 ~ Page 21
Sports
“I can’t describe how proud I am of this team. Every other team in the world would
have given up.” -Kings Park coach Mike Luzim
inning, the Kingsmen were looking to score more
runs. This prompted Bonelli, who was watching the
game with anticipation from outside the dugout, to
go into the dugout.
“Rally hats,” Bonelli said. “Everyone, we’re doing
rally hats. Turn them around right now.”
Without hesitation, every single player in the Kings
Park dugout turned their hats around as Lacascia
stepped up to the plate.
There must have been magic in the rally hat, as
Lacascia managed to hit a line drive over the leaping
Lindenhurst first baseman’s glove for a single before
senior center fielder Zach Garick hit another line
drive, this time just over the glove of the diving Bulldog
shortstop. A misplay on the ball by the Lindenhurst
left fielder also allowed both Lacascia and Garick to
take an extra base, putting both in scoring position
for senior third baseman Matt Cudahy.
Like the previous two batters, Cudahy got a hit
over a leaping infielder’s glove, once again the first
baseman, to score Lacascia and Garick, which
caused the players in the Kings park dugout and the
fans to come completely unglued.
“Stay up,” Bonelli yelled to his teammates. “This
is our game.”
Hunt was able to draw a one out walk, but two
ground outs would prevent Kings Park from pushing
across the tying run in the bottom of the fifth.
However, the two run rally did enough damage to cut
the Kingsmen’s deficit to 6-5 and made it anyone’s
game with two innings to go.
Votypka was lights out over the next two innings.
He recorded a 1-2-3 inning in the sixth and struck out
the first two batters in the top of the seventh. His only
blemish would be a two out single in the seventh, but
he got the next batter ground into a fielder’s choice
to end the inning.
“We have to give lots of credit to Ryan,” Baker said.
“He struggled with location in the beginning, but like
a fine wine he got better with age. He started painting
the corners and ‘k-ing’ up batters. We knew we had
a chance if he kept it at six runs.”
Kings Park’s bats threatened in the sixth when
Lacascia legged out a two out infield single before an
off-line throw to first base allowed Garick to reach
base in the next at-bat. Both Garick and Lacascia
advanced to scoring position on an errant pickoff
attempt, but a strikeout prevented the runners from
scoring and gave the Kingsmen just three outs to
make up the sixth run.
Crocco led off the bottom of the seventh with a single
up the middle before being pinch run for by senior
outfielder Tyler Manuello. Hunt moved Manuello to
second with a sacrifice bunt before Baker hit a single
to put the tying run on third and the winning run at
first. A fielder’s choice in the next at-bat advanced
Baker to second, but Manuello could not score and
the Kingsmen were down to their final out.
“I was saying to the (Lindenhurst) shortstop when
I was on second: this is baseball,” Baker said.
With the game in his hands, Nici stepped to the
plate with two runners in scoring position. Nici hit a
ground ball that chopped slowly and he bolted down
the first base line as both runners sprinted towards
the next base.
“I was so anxious to hit the ball. I thought the first
pitch would be a fastball but it ended up being a
curve. I was waiting on a fastball on the next pitch
and I put the bat on the ball,” Nici said. “I thought
I had a shot because the shortstop might try to go
home (with the throw) so I made sure to hustle all
the way through.”
It would take a perfect throw to gun down Nici. It
wasn’t.
The throw was slightly off line which forced the first
baseman into the air and Nici to reach safely while
Manuello scored the tying run. Without hesitation,
Baker bolted for home and the Bulldogs fired the ball
to home plate.
“I saw the play developing behind me,” Baker said.
“Coach told me to round the bag and stay there, but
I kept going. I didn’t have a great jump but I’m pretty
fast. I was so pumped up I couldn’t feel anything.”
With a play at the plate, Baker hook-slid head-first
around home to evade the tag and brushed his left
hand around the plate to score the game winning run
as complete pandemonium ensued.
The entire team flew out of the dugout as the crowd
roared as it had just done the impossible— overcome
a 6-0 deficit. “Never give up,” Nici said. “Never count
us out.”
“I’m at a loss for words. I can’t describe how proud I
am of this team. Every other team in the world would
have given up,” Luzim said. The way they scored their
runs and the way we made mistakes, to stick in there
and focus for 42 outs was outstanding.”
Baker’s heroics in scoring the winning run was
a sense of deja vu. In Kings Park’s last county
championship run in 2010, Baker’s brother Henry hit
a walk-off bloop single in the county championship
game against Hauppauge, a play that would become
known as “Baker’s Blooper.”
“This reminds me a lot of my brother,” Baker said.
“He played on the 2010 championship team and I was
thinking about it the whole time. I was just trying to
do him one better.”
Kings Park second baseman
Joe LaCascia (#7) makes a
diving throw to first base.
PLAY AT THE PLATE: Kings Park senior outfielder
Chris DiAngelo (above, #15) slides into home during the
Kingsmen’s comeback win over Lindenhurst.
-Richard Valeo photos

5. The Smithtown News ~ May 22, 2014 ~ Page 19
Sports
LaMannaone-hits,TreccarichehitshomerinBulls’win
By ANTHONY LIFRIERI
Smithtown West baseball’s playoff
win over Lindenhurst was a microcosm
of its season. Good pitching, solid
defense and timely hitting powered the
Bulls’ 4-1 playoff win over the Bulldogs
and staved off elimination for another
game, Thursday, May 15.
Heading into the game, the Bulls
were looking to keep their season
going by continuing through the loser’s
bracket after beating Eastport-South
Manor (see story below). However, the
Bulls had to contend with a desperate
Lindenhurst Bulldogs squad that
squandered a 6-0 lead to fourth seeded
Kings Park (see story, page 20).
“Another day, another team. Survive
and advance,” Smithtown West coach
Al Nucci said prior to the game.
“Lindenhurst is a great program that
won the state title a couple of years ago.
They’re also wearing white on our home
field, which is interesting. We’re going
to keep doing what we’re doing: Pitch
quick innings and have long innings on
offense. That’s our antidote.”
Nucci was also confident in his
team’s chances because of his starting
pitcher, junior Brandon LaManna.
“He’s done well all year. He mixes it
up and keeps hitters off balance. He’s
not going to overpower, but he uses
his defense.”
While LaManna did not have
overpoweringstuff,heusedeveryounce
of it to shut down the Lindenhurst
offense. He struck out the side in the
first inning and retired the side in order
in each of the first five innings.
Lindenhust’s pitcher was just as
dominant. The Bulls got only walks
from center fielder Nick Attardi in the
bottom of the first and senior catcher
Peter Torres in the fourth. However,
neither runner, along with senior Peter
Byrnes, who pinch ran for senior first
baseman Anthony Treccariche in the
fifth after reaching on an error, could
cross home plate for the game’s first
run.
With both pitchers taking no-hitters
into the sixth inning, the action finally
came to a head. LaManna allowed a
leadoff single before an error, balk and
walk loaded the bases with no one out.
The next batter hit a deep fly ball to
left field which senior left fielder Billy
Behrens got under and fired home in
an attempt to get the tagging runner.
The throw was a pellet, but took
an awkward bounce before reaching
Torres, who still was able to smother
the ball and nearly tag out the runner
tagging from home. Unfortunately for
West, the runner was able to sneak in
safely for the first score of the game.
Making matters worse for the Bulls,
a walk loaded the bases. More runs
added to the deficit in an already low
scoring game could have meant an end
to the team’s season.
The next batter hit a deep fly ball
to left field in the same manner as
the previous RBI sacrifice fly. Once
again, Behrens got under the ball and
charged it as he made the catch to put
momentum into his throw. It would
take a perfect throw and tag to get the
runner tagging home.
This time, he was able to get even
more behind the throw and rifled it
home. Torres got the throw and quickly
flung his body towards the runner,
tagging him just before he was able to
touch home plate for a double play that
sent his team into a frenzy and saved
the team’s season.
“I had momentum coming towards
the plate so I threw as hard as I could.
I knew it was a good throw,” Behrens
said. “It felt good because we were down
one, so this gave us a chance to come
back and score.”
After saving the season with his
double play in the top of the inning,
Behrens led off the bottom of the
sixth with a bloop single, also the
Bulls’ first hit of the game. After
taking second on a sacrifice bunt
by junior center fielder Nick Attardi,
sophomore shortstop Nick Grande hit
a single up the middle. Behrens didn’t
hesitate and rounded third. Although
the throw went home, Behrens easily
beat it to tie the game while Grande
was able to take second.
“It felt great to make something
happen and end up getting knocked in
by Nick Grande was amazing,” Behrens
said.
The Bulls grounded out in their
next at-bat, but junior right fielder
Mike Bugliarelli drew a two out walk
on a full count to keep the inning
going for Treccariche. However, before
Treccariche could hit, the knob of his
bat broke off. Wasting no time, Byrnes
found him another bat which he used
instead.
With the season on the line,
Treccariche worked the count full,
found a pitch he liked and completely
clobbered it. The ball soared and
continued to carry to left-center field
and went over the fence for a three run
home run.
“It was a big spot with the game tied.
That’s what you dream for: situations
like that,” Treccariche said. “I knew I
was going to come through. I battled
through the at-bat to get a 3-2 pitch.
I knew it would be one to hit. I was
expecting off-speed with the base open
and he hung a curve. I saw it and gave
it a ride. As soon as I hit it I knew it
was gone. It had a pop to it.”
Treccariche’s home run drew
similarities to Bucky Dent’s 1978
playoff tiebreaker home run. Both were
three run home runs off replacement
bats in win or go home situations that
put their teams ahead.
“Running the bases is a feeling I’ll
never forget,” Treccariche said. “Being
a senior with the game on the line and
coming through is something I’ll tell my
kids about.”
He also had added inspiration in the
at-bat. “They called time out so I called
him over,” Nucci said. “I made a deal
with him: if he drove in the winning run
he wouldn’t have to practice tomorrow.
He then proceeded to hit the ball about
500 feet if there was no wind. I knew
we had three more outs to get, but the
way Brandon was pitching the game
was already over.”
Nucci was right. LaManna retired the
side in order in the seventh inning to
seal a complete game one hit shutout.
“I mixed my pitches and threw strikes,”
LaManna said. “I felt good coming in
and knew they weren’t the best hitting
team. I just had to mix my stuff and let
the defense help me.”
“Brandon got it done today,” Nucci
said. “He kept hitters off-balance and
threw a one hitter. He fell behind 2-0
in one at-bat and that was the only
reason they got that hit. He struck he
first three guys out and that set the
tone for the entire game. The defense
played well behind him and didn’t have
to make extraordinary plays, just the
plays they’re supposed to make.”
The Bulls’ 4-1 win kept their season
alive. “It feels great,” Treccariche said.
“When we lost, we knew we were in
the same spot as last year. We knew
anything could happen if we just kept
fighting and stuck together. I couldn’t
ask for a better team. I love every guy
on it and I can’t wait to move on to next
week because anything can happen.”
In its next game, Smithtown West
lost to top seeded Sachem North, 5-3,
Monday, May 26 at Sachem High
School East to end its season.
By SETH WALLACH
Coming off a disheartening loss in
its playoff opener just 24 hours earlier,
Smithtown West baseball rebounded
against Eastport-South Manor with a
4-2 victory at Smithtown High School
West to keep its playoff run alive,
Wednesday, May 14.
With their season on the line, the
Bulls called on senior pitcher Anthony
Treccariche. Smithtown West coach
Al Nucci would be rewarded for his
decision, as Treccariche went on to
pitch a complete game and surrendered
just two runs.
“I felt great,” Treccariche said.
“Before the game I knew I had my stuff
going, so I just wanted to throw strikes,
mix my speeds up, hit the corners and
trust my defense behind me.”
Despite eclipsing the 100 pitch
plateau during the seventh inning,
Treccariche still had plenty of zip on
his fastball, even as he faced the game’s
final batter. He said he intentionally
held some velocity back during the
early innings in order to conserve
strength for big pitches later in the
game.
“I always expect to go seven,”
Treccariche said.
The Bulls would take an early 1-0
lead in the bottom of the second. After
a one out walk by junior right fielder
Mike Bugliarelli, Treccariche was able
to beat out an infield single, putting
runners at first and second. Junior
second baseman Rob Tamarro tapped
a slow ground ball back to the mound
that was fielded by the pitcher and
fired towards second base in hopes of
turning an inning ending double play.
Fortunately for the Bulls, the second
basemen’s relay throw skipped past
the first basemen’s glove and down
the right field line, allowing Bugliarelli
to come around from second with the
game’s first run.
Inthetophalfofthethird,Treccariche
found himself in trouble after back-to-
back singles by Eastport-South Manor,
but was able to dance out of danger
thanks to an inning ending double
play.
The Bulls would expand on their 1-0
lead in the bottom of the inning. Similar
to the rally in the second, junior third
baseman Brandon LaManna led off
with a walk, which was followed by a
Billy Behrens infield single. Looking to
move the runners over, junior center
fielder Nick Attardi got more than he
bargained for when his bunt landed
perfectly between the third baseman
(Continued on page 17)
Bulls sink Sharks to stay alive
EYE ON THE BALL: Smithtown High School West center fielder Nick Attardi leans out
of the way to avoid being hit by a pitch during West’s 4-2 victory against Eastport-South
Manor Wednesday, May 14. -Seth Wallach photo

6. Page 18 ~ The Smithtown News ~ May 22, 2014
Sports
FlamingArrowsshootdownKingsmen
By ANTHONY LIFRIERI
It just wasn’t Kings Park softball’s
day. The Kingsmen dug a 6-0 hole over
the first two innings en route to a 6-1
defeat in their first round playoff game
against Sachem East, Saturday, May
17 at Kings Park High School.
Kings Park freshman starting pitcher
Cassandra Cancemi allowed one run in
the top of the first but the five in the
bottom of the second put the Kingsmen
in a 6-0 deficit. The damage could
have been much worse but Cancemi
got out of a bases loaded one out jam
with a foul out caught by sophomore
first baseman Gianna Cancemi, then
induced an inning ending ground out
to short.
The Kingsmen threatened in the
bottom of the inning when Gianna
Cancemi led off with a walk before
taking second on a wild pitch and third
onasacrificeflybyCassandraCancemi.
Unfortunately for the Kingsmen, the
next batter struck out looking to end
the inning.
Freshman pitcher Amanda DeLaura
took over for Cassandra Cancemi in the
top of the third and restored order. She
pitched five shutout innings to keep
her team in the game and allowed only
just four hits in that span while striking
out three.
“That made my day,” said Kings Park
coach Kim McGinley, after DeLaura
struck out a batter swinging far ahead
of an off-speed pitch in the fifth inning.
DeLaura was also picked up by
her defense. Junior catcher Ariana
Ambrosio threw out a Flaming Arrow
attempting to steal third base to end
the fourth, junior right fielder Carly
Califano made a diving catch in foul
territory in right field to end the fifth
and sophomore third baseman Taryn
McGinley made a diving catch on a
hard liner that would have been a
double for the first out in the top of
the seventh.
Although the Kingsmen had found
their pitching and defense, they
struggled with the bat. Kings Park
hitters struck out 11 times in the
second with two outs but the Kingsmen
could not bring her home for the team’s
second run.
Kings Park threatened in the top of
the sixth with a leadoff single up the
middle from Taryn McGinley and a one
out single by Ambrosio but a strikeout
and fly out to deep center field quashed
a potential rally.
With just three outs to save their
season, the Kingsmen led off the
bottom of the seventh with a leadoff
single from Cassandra Cancemi. With
one out, senior left fielder Lexi Dolan
hit a single to right. Cancemi attempted
to take third on the play and managed
to slide in just ahead of the throw
while Dolan took second in heads-up
baserunning.
With second and third with one out,
Kings Park had the makings of another
rally. Unfortunately for the Kingsmen,
it was not meant to be. The Arrows
slammed the door on Kings Park with
a strikeout and pop out to complete
a 6-1 Sachem East win and end the
Kingsmen’s season.
“We came out slow but finished
hard,” Coach McGinley said. “We just
couldn’t do enough to put more runs
on the board. I don’t know if it was our
youth but we didn’t do enough to put
a ‘W’ in the book.”
Despite the opening round upset,
Coach McGinley was still pleased with
a season that included a 16-5 record
and the fifth overall seed in the playoffs.
“We had a great season. They’re an
outstanding and smart team. Their
GPA is 93 unweighted,” McGinley said.
“They’re good players and most of all
great kids.”
game and was no-hit going into the
fifth inning.
However, Kings Park junior second
baseman Cheyenne Giarraputo was
able to wreck the no-no when she led
off the top of the fifth. Seeing a pitch,
Giarraputo was able to turn on it and
drive it out to deep left-center field. The
ball continued to carry and eventually
left the park to ruin the no-hitter and
the shutout. Cassandra Cancemi
walked in the next at-bat and stole
ON THE RUN: Kings Park junior outfielder Carly Califano (above, #14) makes a running
catch for an out while Kings Park senior shortstop paige Julich (top, #10) attempts to tag
out a stealing Sachem East baserunner in the Kingsmen’s 6-1 playoff loss to Sachem
East, Saturday, May 17. -Richard Valeo photos

7. The Smithtown News ~ May 22, 2014 ~ Page 17
Sports
andpitcher’smound,leadingto
another infield hit. After a force
at home plate created the first
out of the inning, junior catcher
Peter Torres lined a solid single
into left field, scoring Behrens
and Attardi for a 3-0 lead.
After a successful double steal
by sophomore shortstop Nick
Grande and Torres put runners
at second and third, Bugliarelli
hit one slowly on the ground for
the Bulls third infield hit of the
inning. Bugliarelli’s RBI made
it 4-0 Bulls which proved to be
all the runs Treccariche would
need.
Despite his success on the
scoreboard, Treccariche’s
pitching performance did
Smithtown’sKnottgoingtonationals
By EMILY MANCINI
Alyssa Knott, Smithtown
native and SUNY Geneseo
junior, will be competing at
this year’s NCAA Division
III Outdoor Track & Field
Championships in the 10,000
meter event at Delaware, Ohio,
Thursday, May 22 through
Saturday, May 24.
Knott qualified with a time
of 36:05.51 after placing 22nd
in the college women’s division
at Penn Relays last month. It
was the 12th fastest time in
the nation for Division III this
spring, averaging a pace of
about 5:45 per mile.
For Knott, qualifying for
nationals was an unforeseen
but pleasant surprise.
“Coming into this season,
I wasn’t expecting to go to
nationals,” Knott said. “It was
a goal, but it seemed lofty. It
came down to two races that
really put me in a qualifying
position.”
Since her freshman year
at Geneseo, Knott had been
consistently running the ten
kilometer run with a personal
record that hovered around 38
minutes. However, two end-
of-the-season races saw her
drop two entire minutes from
her PR.
“Our team ran the Outdoor
Classic at Bucknell and I
dropped one minute off my
PR. Then a week later we ran
the Penn Relays and I dropped
another minute. My coach was
ecstatic and a bit shocked,”
Knott said. “I really wasn’t
“Running was a big factor in
my choosing to go to Geneseo,”
Knott said. “They were known
for sending runners to
nationals.”
College running was a big
step up from high school
running. “Even though the
training’s harder, there’s a
better atmosphere. Everyone
on the team is extremely
motivated, and they all train so
hard to get to where they are,”
Knott said. “It’s easier to go
on a 14 mile run when you’re
surrounded by twelve other
girls who are just as motivated
as you are.”
Knott’s teammate Joanna
C a s t r o g i v a n n i , a l s o a
Smithtown native, finished a
stellar season by taking third
in the women’s 5,000 meters at
the SUNY Athletic Conference
Track & Field Championships
with a time of 17:58.66 and
placing sixth in the 5,000m at
the ECAC Division III Indoor
Championships with a time
of 17:55.
“Joanna ran really well this
season, she’s great at the 5k.
There’s a culture of support
in our team,” Knott said.
“Everyone’s so enthusiastic
and everyone roots for each
other.”
As far as competing on the
national level, Knott doesn’t
seem nervous. In fact, she’s
excited. “There are some of the
best runners in the country
competing, but I just want to
go out there, have fun, and
hopefully run a PR,” Knott
said. “I’m ready to run.”
expecting it either.”
“She’s a smart, consistent
racer,” said her coach Mike
Woods. “She knows when to
stay in her limit and when to
push it. I really pushed her
to get in the weight room this
year and she worked hard from
August to now. She’s strong,
fresh, and running really well.”
Knott partially attributes
the drastic drop in time to
a newfound motivation she
felt after watching her dad,
Mark Knott, run the Boston
Marathon in April.
“Seeing my Dad run Boston
was super-motivating for me,”
Knott said. “Watching those
runners who had all worked
so hard and put so much into
training was really inspiring,
and I think I carried that
motivation from Boston into
my own races.”
Knott is no stranger to hard
work and training. When
she ran for Smithtown High
School West, she was named
an all-Academic Athlete for
the 2010 cross country season
and 2011 indoor and outdoor
track seasons. She was also
recognized as an AP Scholar.
She began training herself for
competitive high mileage races
as early as sophomore year of
high school.
“At first I didn’t really know
what I was doing,” said Knott.
“I started running in seventh
grade mainly to copy my older
brother, but then we went to
Sunken Meadow for a meet,
and it was the first time I
really got a taste of competitive
running. After that, I wanted to
get better and be faster than
the other runners.”
Knott slowly began to build
upon her training and by
junior year of high school, she
knew she wanted to compete
on the college level.
FLEET OF FOOT: Smithtown
resident Alyssa Knott (above)
runs ahead (left) of teammate and
fellow Smithtown resident Joanna
Castrogivanni. Knott will run in the
NCAA Division III Championships
Thursday, May 22.
(Continued from page 19) not come easily. After finding
himself in another jam in the
fourth with runners at first
and third and nobody out,
Treccariche gave up a single
to narrow the Bulls lead to
4-1. After a groundout moved
the runners up, Treccariche
struck out the next batter
looking at a fastball on
the inside corner. With two
outs, the Sharks hit a ball
sharply toward the middle,
but Treccariche was able to
pick the line drive out of the
air, cheering and pumping
his fist as he left the mound.
After two more scoreless
innings of work, Treccariche
would take the mound for
the seventh looking to finish
off Eastport-South Manor
and creep one step closer to
a county title. A two-out solo
homerun was all the Sharks
could muster in the game’s
final inning, as Smithtown
West would go on to take the
contest 4-2.
“I thought we did a good job
manufacturing runs — getting
on base, stealing some bases,
moving guys over and getting
timely hits,” Nucci said. “From
there it was just ‘Trec’. We
made the plays when we had
to. I’m proud of him and I’m
proud of the boys.”
Smithtown West would move
on to play Lindenhurst at
home Thursday, May 15 (see
story).
Bulls’bigthreenamedall-Americansinboys’lacrosse
SmithtownWestdiamondmensinkSharksinpostseasonplay
Three Smithtown High
School West seniors have
been named lacrosse Under
Armour all-Americans by
Under Armour and Corrigan
Sports Enterprises, Monday,
May 19. Attackman Ryan
Keenan, midfielder Christian
Zawadzki and defenseman
Logan Greco will play in
the 2014 Under Armour All-
America Lacrosse Classic for
the North team, Saturday,
July 12 at Towson University
in Maryland.
UnderArmourall-Americans
are selected by a panel of
lacrosse experts from Inside
Lacrosse Magazine. The year-
long selection process includes
input from college and high
school coaches from across the
country as well as nominations
from the public.
The Bulls will send the most
players from a public school to
the game and tie for most in the
country with top ranked Boys’
Latin in Maryland. “It’s pretty
cool to have the three of us on
the same team together as the
top players in our position,”
Keenan said. “I get to play my
last high school lacrosse game
ever with them on that field, so
it’s going to be a cool moment.”
Keenan,whowillattendPenn
State next year, has 93 points
on the season consisting of 42
goals and 51 assists despite
most defenses keying on him.
“It feels awesome to be selected
as one of the top 22 guys in
the North and 44 in America,”
Keenan said. “It’s a pretty cool
honor.”
Zawadzki, who will attend
Maryland University next
year to continue his lacrosse
career, logged 40 goals and
18 assists this season. “It’s
something I’ve always worked
for,” Zawadzki said. “It’s been
a dream of mine and every
young lacrosse player to make
the team. I feel so fortunate to
have been selected. I can’t wait
to get out there and compete
with the best 43 players in the
country.”
Greco, a future University
of Virginia Cavalier, has been
a stalwart of the Smithtown
West defense for the last four
seasons and anchors a defense
considered by many to be the
best in the country. “It feels
pretty awesome,” Greco said. “I
want to thank everyone in my
family, my friends, and all the
people who helped train me,
especially my coaches. They
all helped me become an all-
American, which I’ve dreamed
about since I was a little kid.”
The Bulls’ big three will take
part in a weekend of events
that begin Friday, July 11 and
culminates with the Under
Armour game, Saturday, July
13. The game will be broadcast
live on ESPNU at 5 p.m.
“It should be a blast,”
Zawadzki said. “I’ve seen the
past games, like when (2012
Smithtown West graduate)
James Pannell made it. It was
so crazy,” Zawadzki said.

8. Page 16 ~ The Smithtown News ~ May 22, 2014
Sports
(Continued from page 22)
semifinals, Brandman and
Sadiker lost, 15-4, 15-3, but
clinched all-county honors.
“A lot of hard work paid off.
It’s a good feeling but I couldn’t
have done it without him,”
said Brandman as he nudged
Sadiker with his elbow. “It was
exciting. We lost here last year
in the first round, so it felt
good being able to make it to
the semis.”
“It took teamwork to get us
here,” Sadiker said. “We’re
undersized and most of the
teams have been playing for
multiple years together. This
was our first. We practiced
and care a lot about the sport.
Some think badminton is a
hobby, but we both know it’s
an important sport.”
As Smithtown East’s top
boys doubles pairing, seniors
Will Engellenner and Bryan
Musmacker entered as the
three seed having never won
a county tournament match
despite making it the previous
two seasons. Engellenner and
Musmacker made the most of
their final ride when they beat
Commack’s second doubles
pairing and the 14 seed in the
first round, then beat the six
seed from Walt Whitman in the
quarterfinals.
I n t h e s e m i f i n a l s ,
Engellenner and Musmacker
took on second overall seed
and Miller Place pairing
Carson Hammer and Liam
Warren. The Bulls’ duo won the
first game, 15-11, but lost the
second, 15-11, to force third
and decisive game. Although
Engellenner and Musmacker
battled in game three, Hammer
and Warren were able to pull
through with a 15-8 victory.
“We played a strong match
against Miller Place today,
which we’re happy about
because they’ve creamed us
in the past,” Engellenner said.
Although they lost in the
semifinals, Musmacker and
Engellenner still had the
consolation game against
Brandman and Sadiker, and
Musmacker was not about to
lethispairingwithEngellenner
end on a sour note. “We
had expectations. We were
hungry for it, especially with
Commack because they beat
us twice,” Musmacker said.
In the consolation game
Engellenner and Musmacker
cruised in the first game to a
15-7 victory, but Brandman
and Sadiker gave them a much
tougher time in game two.
Fortunately for the Bulls’ duo,
they were able to pull through
with a 17-14 victory to clinch
third place in Suffolk County
and all-county status.
“I’ve been watching people
over the past years that I know
should have been all-county
and seeing the devastation on
their face because they didn’t
get there made me nervous I
wouldn’tgethere,”Musmacker
said. “I don’t play other sports
like Will. He has volleyball to
get his all-county plaque, so
going into this tournament all
I said to him was ‘we’re getting
this plaque.’”
Engellenner was pleased
the team could put together
a run after first round losses
the previous two seasons. “I’m
still in a little bit of shock,”
Engellenner said. “We’ve been
the second seed the last two
years and lost in the first
round, so going into this
season we were ecstatic just
to win out first match and go
all-league. After our second
win and going all-county was
an even crazier feeling. It’s a
very nice cap on our careers.”
To attain all-county,
Engellenner and Musmacker
used the positive influences.
“Going back to our freshman
year we had a lot of people
ahead of us that were really
greatrolemodels,”Engellenner
said. “At the beginning of the
season we said since we were
the second seed we want
to base how we play on the
seniors that came before
us. They’re all good sports,
especially Vicky Timmel,
Sophia Matragrano, Jack
Dillman and James Ahern. We
appreciate everything they and
all the coaches have done for
us in the past four years.”
BattlesoftheBullsgoestoSmithtownEast,13-11
(Continued from page 23)
off a shot from freshman
attacker Julia Smith, but the
ball was deflected. However.
Kavanagh was there to scoop
up the ground ball and put in
a sidearm-shot low for a goal.
After L ynch scored her
second goal of the game,
Kavanagh scored her second
goal before hitting sophomore
midfielder Jackie Cuccurullo
with a pass, who spun around
a defender and shot from long
range for a goal to tie the game
with 11 minutes remaining in
the first half.
East went back on the attack
but Smithtown West freshman
midfielder Kayla Kosubinsky
intercepted a pass and started
a fastbreak that was finished
with a goal by Antonacci.
Smith answered back with a
score on a fastbreak started
by a ground ball picked up
by freshman midfielder Erin
Murphy, which tied the game,
5-5, with 7:27 left in the half.
Less than a minute after
Smith’s score, Smithtown
East senior midfielder Michele
Scannell got a pass and
streaked down-field on a
fastbreak, then scored using
a high overhand-shot to give
the Red Bulls their first lead
of the game.
The lead would be short
lived as Lynch scooped up
a ground ball for West, then
sprinted across the field on a
fastbreak. As she approached
the Smithtown East cage, the
Red Bulls’ defense began to
collapse on her, so at the last
second she passed to junior
attacker Kaitlin Unser. With
an open shot, Unser ripped the
top-right corner to tie the game.
On West’s next attack,
freshman midfielder Kieran
Rinaldi was able to get a
rebound off a shot and quickly
passed to senior midfielder
Pam Giordano. After receiving
the pass, Giordano dodged a
Smithtown East defender and
got off a shot just as she was
hit and driven to the ground.
However, the shot still found
its mark in the back of the cage
to give West a 7-6 lead.
The Blue Bulls would add a
quick-stick goal from Rinaldi
to senior midfielder Hannah
Junior, but a goal by Smith
off an assist from Cuccurullo
ensured East would head into
halftime trailing by only a goal.
West opened the second half
strong with goals by Giordano
and Unser to extend its lead to
10-7 just 70 seconds in.
Just as it seemed West was
in full control of the game,
Stoessel made a save, Scannell
picked up a ground ball, junior
midfielder Annie Collins forced
a turnover and Smith scored
two goals to cut the Red
Bulls’ deficit to a single goal
with 14 minutes remaining in
regulation. 90 seconds later,
Kavanagh picked up a ground
ball and drew shooting space
before scoring on a bounce-
shot to tie the game, 10-
10, with 12:32 remaining in
regulation.
A score from Cuccurrullo
with 11:55 remaining in the
second half gave East its first
lead since 6:51 in the first. The
Red Bulls added to their lead
when Smith caused a turnover
deep in Smithtown West
territory which she scooped
up, then charged the goal and
finished with a sidearm shot
to go up 12-10.
East went back on the attack
hopes of finishing off West,
but the Blue Bulls’ defense
caused a turnover deep in their
own territory. On the ensuing
attack, Antonacci evaded a
defender and shot in traffic for
a goal to cut West’s deficit to a
goal with 6:28 remaining.
The Red Bulls gained
possession on the next draw
and tried to kill the clock.
Although Smithtown West’s
defense attempted to pressure
East, it merely forced the
action and allowed Kavanagh
to slip through the defense
and score on an empty net for
a key insurance goal with 3:53
remaining in regulation.
For the remainder of the
game, West kicked its intensity
into high gear. Antonacci
intercepted a pass and got
the ball out on a fastbreak
to Heldberg, who got off a
shot, but Stoessell made a
save. Giordano drew shooting
space but Stoessell came
up with another save off a
bounce-shot. After a forced
turnover by Kosubinsky, the
Red Bulls’ defense caused a
ground ball that Smithtown
East freshman midfielder Kate
Schmal was able to scoop up.
Despite East’s defensive
stands, it still couldn’t put
away West. Junior caused
another turnover and got West
out on an attack looked as
if it would result in a score,
but Smithtown East senior
defender Lauren DeBetta
managed to come out of
nowhere and hit the ball out
of the West attacker’s stick for
a key turnover that quashed
any realistic chance of a
Smithtown West comeback.
“I knew they were ready to
go so as soon as they went I
dropped my stick and I was
ready to go,” DeBetta said.
“I was so focused to get the
ball back and keep my team
ahead.”
Although defeat was
inevitable for the Blue Bulls,
they kept fighting to the final
whistle, highlighted by a forced
turnover by Lynch. However,
it would not be enough and
East was able to hold on for
its second two goal victory over
Smithtown West in six days.
“We haven’t made the
playoffs since 2009 and we
were coming off that game
from Monday. We could feel
the intensity and momentum
as a team,” said Kavanagh,
who finished with five goals,
an assist and helped East win
a majority of draws. “Playing
West is always fun because
they’re a great crosstown rival.
To beat them the second time
this week is good.”
“It took me until my senior
year to get a playoff win, and
we worked so hard for it,”
DeBetta said. “We knew this
year was going to be great. We
had a great feeling going into
this game and we have a good
feeling going into the rest of the
playoffs.”
Although disappointed
in the loss, Giordano, who
finished with a pair of goals,
was not disappointed in her
team. “I’d much rather lose a
close, intense game like that
than get blown out,” Giordano
said. “It was so much fun. It
makes the end of high school
worth it to see how hard we
(both teams) played and how
we left everything on the field.
I wish East good luck the rest
of the way.”
Naughton was also happy
with the win. “This feels
awesome, I’m not going to lie,”
Naughton said. “Part of me
feels bad for West because we
know how hard they worked,
but I’m glad we were able to
pull this one off. We were in a
hole most of the time and we
kept fighting and never gave
up. That’s all I can ask for.”
The Smithtown East coach
was also happy to score the
first Battle of the Bulls playoff
win. “It’s always a special
thing,” Naughton said. “The
girls are always competitive
with one another, but this
brought it to another level,
which is good for the program.”
One of the keys to East’s win
was its second half defense,
which allowed only three goals
second half after allowing
eight in the first. “We needed
to communicate and stick
together as a family. That’s
exactly what we did,” DeBetta
said. “We knew they wanted it
but we wanted it even more.”
Bodo felt the Blue Bulls’
difficulty at draw control led
to West’s defeat. “They played
great and beat us to the ball at
center draw every time,” Bodo
said. “Besides that, the game
was even.”
Bodo also said she was
pleased with her team’s
effort at the end of the game
and thought her team had a
successful season. “After not
making playoffs last year and
making it this year made me
happy,” Bodo said. “More than
anything our record (11-6)
stood out. We lost by only thee
to (top seed) West Islip and
Northport (third seed) would
have beaten us like crazy. Our
goalie (Meyers) had a great
year as well.”
“This was the best season I
had in four years of lacrosse,”
Giordano said. “I had a great
time and I’m so glad of what
we accomplished. Coming
into this preseason we were
the 12 seed and we improved
to become seventh. I hope we
continue to improve next year.”
In its next game, Smithtown
East lost on the road to second
seeded Hauppauge, 11-8,
Monday May 19. Results of
Hauppauge’s county semifinal
game at home against third
seed Northport, Wendesday,
May 21 was unavailable as of
press time. A win would put
the Eagles in their second
county final game in three
seasons.
Localsasmashatcountytourney