Playoffs on South Side's radar

Qualifying for the Nassau Class A softball playoffs is a goal for South Side, which features a blend of veterans and newcomers a year after winning 12 of 20 games in Shannon McEntee’s debut season as coach.

The Lady Cyclones are operating with a roster that runs 16-deep, but the flip side is they’re not fielding a JV team in 2010 due to a numbers issue. The varsity squad is ranked fourth in the six-team League III-Conference IV and opened with a defeat to Manhasset on March 25.

“We’re expecting the numbers to rise next year and get the JV program back,” McEntee said. “We have a large roster on varsity and everyone will have an opportunity to earn their way into games. I think we’re going to be very competitive.”

Having a four-year varsity performer in the circle like senior pitcher Sam Koukoulas provides South Side with an opportunity to succeed any time it takes the field. An All-Conference selection in 2009, Koukoulas is always around the plate and picks up her share of strikeouts. “She’s a consistent pitcher and a clutch hitter,” McEntee said. “I have complete faith that she’ll pitch a good game.”

Koukoulas will also see some time behind the plate when sophomore Lauren Joyce gets to throw. Joyce, who got the nod in the opener against Manhasset, will do the catching when Koukoulas pitches. “I thought Lauren did a nice job and kept her composure,” McEntee said. “We have good gloves, so I just told her to concentrate on getting the ball over the plate.”

Defense up the middle is one of the team’s biggest assets. Senior Katie Spadaro returns at second base and junior Lauren Lopresti moves from catcher to shortstop. Spadaro is a quality defender and a reliable source of offense. “She’s our leader in the infield and is helping the younger girls get up to speed,” McEntee said. Lopresti comes off an All-Division season and is one of the best athletes in the school, the coach said. “Lauren’s always on her toes,” McEntee noted. “She’s got a strong arm and is a good hitter.”