Another successful season for the HSMSE girls' softball team

Girls softball team / H. Hamade

The 2015 spring softball season for the HSMSE Dragons was arguably their best season yet. The Dragons went 13-1 this season which earned them the top seed in the Manhattan B Division.

For just the second time in the history of HSMSE athletics, a team was the number one seed in the playoffs, the first for the softball team. After having a fantastic season in 2014, the softball team came into the 2015 season with high expectations. There were a some doubts when a few seniors left, but when new players filled the void, the team regained their confidence for the season.

“Achieving the number one seed was a great accomplishment,” said coach Crystal Downey in an interview on May 29. “From the start of the season we knew it was going to be a success, so we didn’t let it get to our heads. … We had some new additions to the team so the team was definitely stronger than last season [2014].”

A handful of players were the keys to the Dragons' success in 2015. These players were captains Taylor Faulds and Hillary Rodriguez, as well as freshman Alex West. This trio was vital to the team's success because they provided consistent defense and were always driving in runs for the team. Faulds hit .450, West hit .514, and Rodriguez hit .574. Having a core like these three is the difference between the strong teams and the weaker teams in Manhattan B Division.

“We had a few girls leave, but we had some new additions to the team,” Downey said. “The team was definitely better than it was last year. We played a few challenging teams that we beat, so once we beat them we knew that we were going to be ahead of the game."

Will the 2015 season shine for HSMSE softball?

The High School for Math, Science and Engineering Dragons softball team is facing several challenges in the 2015 spring season in Manhattan's B-IV Division. With an injured captain, the graduation of four seniors, and a possible shortage of players, the team is looking to work harder to continue their success from previous seasons.

Coach Crystal Downey / HSMSE Sports

The softball team had a strong season in 2014 with a division-leading 10-2 record. Coach Crystal Downey credits that the team has made good progress since starting in the developmental league.

“The team has been successful for the past three years, and we will carry on with that success,” she said.

In the upcoming season the softball team will be without four of last year’s seniors who played key roles in their past accomplishments, especially shortstop Donna Fintzi who had 29 hits and two home runs last season. Downey is confident that her team can overcome this obstacle.

“Last year’s seniors definitely helped us out,” said Downey. “So I definitely think it’s going to have an impact, but we’ll just have to work harder.”

The team’s second baseman and captain, Anya Batista, will be sidelined indefinitely for the upcoming season. A knee injury suffered in the fall will prevent her from playing; however, Downey believes in the girls’ sense of teamwork.

“Her injury will also have an impact since we have another girl down,” she said. “However our girls tend to work harder under pressure, and when they’re in situations that the team has to build together, the team is usually more successful.”

With the imbalance of male and female students at HSMSE, there is a possibility of not having enough players for a safety buffer. A softball team must have at least nine players on the team, and with five less players to start the season, the team needs enough new players to fill up the roster. Despite only 10 players returning, Downey is not concerned, and is sure that they will have a sufficient amount of new players.

“I am confident that we will have enough girls coming out for the team so that won’t be a situation for us,” she said. “We have strong girls coming on the team for the first time so I think we’ll be okay.”

Written by Muhammad Abid Hasan & Mohammed Kabir

The improving girls softball team

HSMSE Softball / Jane Marlowe

Unlike last year, in which they lost all their games, the HSMSE girls softball team, is off to a better start this year. Last season they had no wins, but this season they have already won three games. With their improvements the developmental team may enter the B-division next season.


The Lady Dragons have made improvements in their play due to a change of coach and the amount of practice. The new coach, Crystal Downey, has increased practice to three to four times a week. Their fielding has improved greatly, with better outfielders and defense. However, the team is weak in many areas. Right fielder, Yemi Osayame, explained, “Our fielding has gotten way better, but our batting needs improvement.” The team’s pitching, too, has been inconsistent. With ERAs of 26.00 and 15.40, respectively, pitchers Diana Acosta and Claudia Lobenthal must improve.


The Dragons are strong in many ways. Key players on the team are freshman Anya Batista and senior Samantha Kombel. Kombel is one of the best contributors to the team. Kombel leads the team with a batting average of .739. She appeared on base 23 times and got 12 runs. Kombel has had much improvement since last year when she was only able to get one hit and run. Batista is also an outstanding addition to the group. She has been on base 19 times and has scored 14 runs. She has a great batting average of .737. Hopefully, Batista and Kombel will be able to lead the Dragons to many more wins.