The Gryphons seemed poised to win the NYSAIS Championship title, having earned the top seed in NYSAIS with a 15-1 regular season record, as well as the top seed in the FAA league.

By Melanie Cane

The Gryphons seemed poised to win the NYSAIS Championship title, having earned the top seed in NYSAIS with a 15-1 regular season record, as well as the top seed in the FAA league. However, the stars were not aligned in their favor May 19 against fourth-seeded Long Island Lutheran, which had handed them their only loss in the regular season.

Holy Child went into the game confident that they could win if they “stayed focused and played their game.” What they did not anticipate is that pitcher Molly Leitner, “the heart and soul of the team,” according to Coach Mike Clancy, would separate her shoulder during pre-game warm ups and end up in an ambulance, rather than on the field. Then, in the top of the first inning, with back-up pitcher Stephanie Kireopoulos on the mound, catcher Millie Cavicchio, collided with a runner she was trying to tag out at the plate, and was forced to leave the game. Julie Kellett replaced Cavicchio, and “did an admirable job,” said Clancy, but Long Island Lutheran left Holy Child in the dust 13-3.

“The loss was a crushing way to end an amazingly successful season, but I was so proud of how our girls stayed strong and hung in against a talented Long Island Lutheran team,” said Coach Clancy. “We are all sad, but hopefully this disappointing experience will motivate the girls to come back strong next season.”

Even though the team did not get the coveted championship plaque, many players received major awards. Five players were named All League: Julianna Capasso, Cavicchio, Alexa Cipollone, Elizabeth Curcio, and Leitner. Kireopoulos received All League Honorable Mention. Curcio and Leitner also received Western New England All League Player Awards.

With all but three players returning for the 2015 season, just wait until next year.