The leadership for the High School for Math, Science, and Engineering Girls' Softball team

Team Photo/ HSMSE Yearbook

The High School for Math Science and Engineering girls' softball team improved from a 10-2 record last season, to a 13-1 record in 2015. While their 2014 season was stellar, the players have matured and managed to win all league games played this year, having only lost due to forfeit. The HSMSE softball team has found new leadership in team captains Taylor Faulds and Hillary Rodriguez during the 2015 season.

Faulds and Rodriguez have emerged as great leaders of the team. Both strived to create a drive within the team. The Dragons in years prior were somewhat indifferent to the outcome of the games. This season both captains found themselves evoking a stronger will in their teammates. Rodriguez has attributed the better play of the team to the increased desire of the team members.

Pre-Game Photo/ Hussien Hamade

“I feel like the team members have more ambition, they want to win," Rodriguez said. "Before it didn’t really affect them. I know I started to care for softball more than I did last year. I think it motivates people to do better.”

The HSMSE Dragons girls' softball team’s leadership is more vocal than it has been in years prior. The two team captains tend to be more stern with the players than past leaders. This tough love seemed to motivate the players to improve upon their skills . The players now have a sense of camaraderie. Players no longer play for themselves, rather they play as the Dragons.

“Even though me and Taylor are tough on the team, they’re now more motivated because they know they’re not trying for themselves, but for the team,” Rodriguez said.

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

HSMSE softball reaches for new heights in a new division

HSMSE Softball team / HSMSE Facebook

The HSMSE softball team has finally moved up to the B division after three years in the developmental division. The team shows a promising future after their undefeated season. This year will not be easy as the team has to endure more practice and more games against tougher opponents.

The developmental division featured new teams that are looking to be placed into a PSAL division.

“The pitchers weren’t very strong in developmental,” junior Anya Batista said.

The move to the B division has more than just stronger opponents, there are also more games.

“We will have to be determined until the end,” senior Jillian Nixon said.

The number of practices will also increase, and fatigue will definitely come into play. Practice will run throughout the longer season, requiring players to show their dedication.

“Many of the girls will be tired towards the end of the season but we all want to win,” said Batista.

The team will face tougher pitching and hitting.

“We have a really good pitcher, Taylor [Faulds], who I think pitches at a college level. Practicing against her will make our hitting stronger,” Batista said.

Faulds led the team in strikeouts and was their primary pitcher last season and was a big contribution to the team.

The team looks very solid with many good freshman trying out. With the players that are already on the team, the team has a great chance at making the playoffs.

The Lady Dragons are ready to move upward

HSMSE girls' softball team - HSMSE PTA 

The HSMSE girls' softball team finished the 2013 season undefeated and will most likely advance to the Manhattan B division next spring. They were placed in the developmental league because they were a relatively new team in the PSAL but should be moving up since they finished the season with a great record.

In the 2013 season the team had six seniors, which made up more than a third of the team. Fortunately, a majority of underclassmen will make up for the loss of the seniors.The new athletes this season showed their dedication to the team and proved that they are ready play next season.

“The freshman are devoted, they come to every practice and even our games to show their support.” said coach Crystal Downey.

Of the underclassmen this season, freshman Taylor Faulds stands out from the rest of the team, mainly because of her experience as a softball player. Her pitching has been consistent, and made a difference on the team. She ended this season with a 0.70 ERA, which contributed to their undefeated season by giving the opposing teams a hard time to scoring.

The team is putting in more effort with Coach Downey, who is a big factor in their great record this season.The team doubled their practice time from two days a week, to four days a week and even started practicing on the weekends.

 “Ms. Downey is a much more thorough coach and always makes sure we are ready for the games,” said second basemen Katherine Marlowe.

contributed by Nasif Chowdhury 

Dragons' softball team step up to the plate

HSMSE Softball Team Photo/photo taken by: HSMSE PTA

For three years the High School for Math Science and Engineering softball team has been in the developmental league, but their recent and rapid improvement may be enough to promote them to the Manhattan B division in 2014. The Lady Dragons ended their regular season with a 5-0-1 record, a huge improvement from their 4-6 record in 2012.

Their coach brought out the potential that the players had. Coach Crystal Downey gave the team more time to play and get a feel for the game.

“The change in coaches was definitely positive, at the start we didn't really have real practices for fielding or hitting. Now Ms.Downey is a much more thorough with us; she is a lot more strict,” said senior outfielder Hannah Creutzfeldt.

“They were all very committed. We became more competitive,” said Coach Downey.

In addition to the increase of their overall skill level, freshman contributed a big part in the improvement of the Lady Dragons.One key freshmen that played an important role in the team’s success was Taylor Faulds. Her dominant pitching resulted in an average of one run per seven innings earning her 0.70 ERA.  

The High School for Math Science and Engineering softball team ranked at the top of the developmental league, finishing the season undefeated. Their play shows that they are ready for a higher division and Downey predicts that the team is prepared for the challenge.

“The team will do well, but will not be undefeated,” said Downey.

Contributed by: Alex Long

HSMSE Varsity Girls Softball team dusts off the bats and cleats

2011 HSMSE Girls Varsity Softball / HSMSE PTA

The inaugural season for the HSMSE Girls softball team was short, with league play lasting only three games (with two non-league games). This season the girls were in the developmental league, and although they were unable to a secure a win, they showed resilience and improvement throughout the season.

Unfortunately, weather and scheduling limited the amount of practice time that the girls were able to use, inhibiting them from getting into a solid rhythm. In addition, for many of the girls, this season was the first time they competed in organized sports of any kind.

In practice they worked hard on the fundamentals of fielding throwing and catching however coach Adam Kerzner quickly found out that, "good pitching was essential." The Dragons struggled throughout the season with pitching and fielding which made it difficult for the team to win games. Pitcher Diana Acosta said that they also needed to work on their talk on the field. "Our team work has always been good but we have to communicate where to throw the ball better."

The team did seem to improve over the course of the season. They lost consecutive games against East Harlem Pride; however, they only lost by 10 runs in the second of those games after losing by 15 in the first. This was the closest game of the year for the Dragons. In this game the Dragons showed a significant improvement in their pitching and fielding.

Looking forward to next season the Dragons have a huge opportunity to improve. "I hope we can win next year, we've only been getting better because we are attending practice and working hard," said Acosta. Coach Kerzner is excited about the prospects for next season. "Most are sophomores and have two years to get their game up."

- Contributed by: Kofi-Asiedu Kordie, Matthew Jospehs, Julian Molina-Goni and Hafizul Sarker.

Donna Fintzi batting / HSMSE PTA

				Batting		Statistics
Player Name	Games	Hits	Runs	RBI	2B	3B	HR	BB	K	SB	BA	OBP	SLG
Diana Acosta	1	1	2	0	0	0	0	2	1	0	.250	.500	.250
Sadichchha Adhikari	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Maria Barinova	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Leah Cabrera	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	2	2	0	.000	.333	.000
Hannah Creutzfeldt	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	4	0	0	.000	.555	.000
Donna Fintzi	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	3	0	1	.250	.571	,250
Ashley Guthrie	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	2	0	.000	.200	.000
Samantha Kombel	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	.250	.571	.250
Katherine Marlowe	1	1	2	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	.250	.400	.250
Christina Muñoz	1	2	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	.500	.600	.500
Janet Nelson	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Zainab Oketokoun	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Themla Perez	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	2	0	.000	.250	.000
Emily Sanchez	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Diana Acosta pitching / HSMSE PTA

				Pitching		Statistics
Player Name	Games	Wins	Loss	Saves	ERA	Innings	H	R	ER	BB	HP	SO	#P
Diana Acosta	1	0	1	0	10.50	4	11	27	6	0	0	5	97

Contributions by: Julian Molina-Goni, Matthew Josephs, Hafizul Sarker, and Kofi Asiedu