By Phil Foley
Congratulations to the Yonkers Montessori Academy girls’ softball team and Coach Bernardone on a great season. Their record was 11-6 in the regular season and 1-1 in the sectional playoffs. Their season ended in a quarterfinal loss in the sectionals, but what a great run it was.
YMA came into the season will big gaps to fill, losing key positions including shortstop, catcher, first base and centerfield. YMA picked up a couple of key players on the season, including seventh-grader MacKenzie Moccia, Gianna Pappalardo, and ninth-grader Anna Vuktilaj.
YMA was led by senior pitcher Kellina Murphy. With only one pitcher and pitching every game of the season, she dominated with 172 strike-outs.
Senior Lacey Giordano had a great year, contributing to the team’s record with the bat and defensive plays.
Returning player Lexi Giordano came into the season as the most improved player on the team.
Also contributing to the team were seniors Sophia Rascona and Sasha Caba.
YMA’s record led the team to the seventh seed in the Sectionals, playing Dobbs Ferry in the first round and winning 5-4 in top of seventh inning, with a highlight film play by centerfielder Lacey Giordano. YMA then went against number-two seed Westlake in the quarterfinals, losing 15-0.
YMA made history by winning the Yonkers City League Championship and becoming the first small high school to do it, defeating Roosevelt, Saunders and Yonkers high school along the way to the city title.
This year’s YMA all-stars include: Kellina Murphy, All Section and All League; and Mackenzie Moccia, Anna Vuktilaj, Lacey Giordano and Sophia Rascona, All League.
“As a coach working with these girls over the last three years, I am extremely proud of their accomplishments, hard work on and off the field, and how far they have come in this sport,” said Bernardone. “I want to thank our graduating seniors and wish them much success in the future.”
