It was a turnaround season for the J. Taylor Finley Middle School softball team, which reversed its fortunes from last spring and compiled a 5-3-1 record.
Coached by dugout veteran Nancy Conlon and captained by Haileigh Smith, Ella Kamenstein and Mackenzie Ahern, the 17 player squad proved to be a very competitive bunch.
Finley Middle School softball captains Haileigh Smith, Mackenzie Ahern and Ella Kamenstein
Finley seventh grader Ruby Meidenman turned in a standout season on the mound. “Ruby is an amazing pitcher with great control,” Conlon said. “She averaged 13 strikeouts per game. Ruby is a team player and truly knows the game.”
Eighth grader Gabriella Miller shined at third base. “Gabriella has great range and a strong arm,” Conlon said.
Ahern, a talented eighth grader was sensational behind the plate. “Mackenzie volunteered to catch at the beginning of the season and really improved,” Conlon said. “She made some nice plays.”
Finley toppled West Hollow (64), Candlewood (7-0), Elwood (12-7), Hauppauge (12-5) and Northport (16-1). The Blue Devils dropped games to Commack-White (7-2), Kings Park-White (4-1) and East Northport (11-1). A game against Commack-Gold ended in a 1-1 stalemate. Another game against Stimson was called in the first inning following a downpour.
“With three strong captains, this year’s team really came together and learned the game and had fun at the same time,” Conlon said. “Winning five games was an amazing accomplishment this year.”
The roster also included seventh graders Adriana Abbatiello, Layna Abraham, Kathryn Barba, Brooke Farasciano, Jessica Maixner, Damaris Mani-Munoz, Andrea Martinez-Posantes and Lily Tierney; and eighth graders Nadeera Ali, Devon Boyle, Allison Malone and Leah Sheran.
“This year’s team practice hard and really started to learn the game of softball,” Conlon said.
With nine seventh graders eligible to return next spring, Finley is looking forward to fielding another strong team.