Positive vibe for North Shore softball

North Shore softball coach Chris DeMarzo talks a lot about positivity becoming infectious. It’s no surprise after a rough 4-11 campaign, he has remained positive about the upcoming season. 

North Shore was off to a 2-2 start with wins over Wheatley and New Hyde Park. “I think we’re going to have a standout season this year,’’ DeMarzo said. “We’ve been building. They’ve bought into the program. Positivity is contagious. Negativity is divisive. We’re going to be well over .500 this year and in contention for playoffs.’’

The coach thinks the conference 4 reshuffle will benefit the maroon and credits North Shore athletic director Don Lang for sticking behind a program that suffered one of its worst seasons defensively in 2022. 

The Glen Head/Sea Cliff program lost two seniors from that squad in leading hitter, Rebekah Lando and center fielder Fiona Breen.

But the Vikings return plenty of offense - led by three seniors in shortstop Phylicia Cangemi, catcher Kate Conklin and third baseman Natalie Gaeta.

“It’s our ability to hit the ball,’’ DeMarzo said of the team’s strength. “Defensively we’re getting better. We had a rough season defensively last year and we’re correcting that. Offensively we’re stronger.’’

Gaeta batted .362 last season. “The ball sounds different when the ball comes off her bat,’’ DeMarzo said. 

Cangemi, who will play softball at Utica, is a defensive shortstop looking to emerge as a dependable hitter in 2023. “She’s got a super glove and strong arm,’’ DeMarzo said. “I’m looking forward to her batting lead off and she’s started out on a positive note.’’

Conlon, who will play field hockey in college at Franklin Pierce, is a softball grinder. She’s been part of varsity for five years.

The team’s best bat may be owned by a sophomore in Adrianna Porcaro, who batted .450 last year as a freshman. She will move over to first base and looks as stout as ever. If she continues to rise, Porcaro will put herself in position to be a Top 100 Long Island selectee next year, the coach said.

North Shore still is trying to determine its full pitching rotation, but the Vikings are strong at the very top with sophomore ace Grace Ryan, who held the same role as a freshman. 

“She throws strikes, walks very few people,’’ DeMarzo said. “She throws hard and has a great command of the plate.’’

In an effort to enhance the program for the future, DeMarzo has decided to bring up four 8th-graders to be spot starters. The JV is well-stocked – another sign the program is on sound footing. The deep JV team offered DeMarzo the luxury of promoting four 8th-graders to the varsity. 

The four youngsters are Megan Whitcomb, Charley Spence, Lis Serravalle and Nylise Rosario. 

“They’ll see some playing time to complement the team, and get used to varsity,’’ DeMarzo said. “We’re hopefully building them into starters while getting used to the varsity.’’ 

One key will be improvement of the defense. That is where left fielder Jolie Waiksnis and center fielder Vanessa Jahnke make their impact. They are considered a reliable tandem patrolling the grass.

“They are can-of-corn outfielders, securing the outfield,’’ DeMarzo said. 

DeMarzo raves about his players’ dedication as signs point toward a bounce-back campaign.