South Mourns Passing of Gerry Gentner

Interview with former Griff Michelle Fridey and Williamsville South athletic director Kevin Lester:

http://www.wgrz.com/news/article/152874/262/South-Mourns-Passing-of-Gerry-Gentner

WNY Softball Suffers Another Great Loss

More terribly sad news to report to you.

Legendary Williamsville South High School softball coach Gerry Gentner passed away this morning after a long battle with cancer. He fought this battle with a lot of dignity and courage; at one point coaching his beloved team with a chemo drip attached to his body. He put his girls first.

Coach Gentner built a powerhouse at South, winning New York State championships and mentoring great players such as Michelle Fridey, Chelsea Plimpton, All-American and Olympian Caitlin Lever, current Griff Lauren Falzone, and many others. I know he was well loved by his players.

Our condolences and prayers go out to Mr. Gentner's family during this most difficult time.

Kalie Michalski To Join The Griffs?

2011 Lake Shore High School graduate Kalie Michalski has apparently joined the Golden Griffins in time for the upcoming 2012 softball season, this according to the Lake Shore High School website. Kalie is an All-ECIC 2 First Teamer who plays a multitude of positions, including third base and catcher.

That rumor seems to be confirmed. The second part of the rumor is that someone has left the team, and that is unconfirmed...

2012 Golden Griffins In The Circle

With the season only three weeks away, and the team busy at practice, it's time for this fan's preview of the 2012 Golden Griffins to begin.

Once again this season, with Iona very strong in the circle with two seniors, the Griffs' chances will primarily depend upon the performance of the pitching staff. The team will have a senior in the circle for the first time since 2009; and they will have four pitchers for the first time since 2007. It's no secret that outside of Jen Consaul's encouraging freshman season performance the staff struggled last season. But there's reason for hope in '12.

Senior Caroline Main is the key to this season, I think, and the Griffs will ride her arm as far as it takes them. Caroline, as you know, was injured at the end of the 2010 season, and never seemed to fully recover until the final week or two of 2011. I think she was injured again last year, but you know how secret they are about these things. At any rate, she didn't look injured to me at all this past fall. She performed like the 2010 All-MAAC Caroline; and that's what the Griffs will be looking for from her. You'll remember that season she was undefeated in MAAC play. This is her year, and this is her team. I think she's ready and eager to pitch; if she returns to form, the Griffs will be a contender.

After an All-MAAC freshman season, junior Amanda Baun did have a sophomore slump. Amanda is vitally important to this team. She proved what she can do in '10 when she set a Canisius freshman record for wins. She can be a dominant strike out pitcher. I think Amanda needs plenty of innings in the early portion of the season to give her that chance to succeed once more. This past fall, she seemed to me to be working on mixing up her pitches more.

Sophomore Jen Consaul was pressed into action once conference play began last season. She responded admirably under a lot of pressure. What I noticed most about her is that she doesn't get rattled, no matter the situation. I thought her best performance was at Siena, in game two of a MAAC doubleheader after the Griffs had been run ruled in game one. She totally shut down the Saints, who were smelling blood, and kept Canisius in the race at the time. So, Jen Consaul pitching more than probably coach Rappl had planned turned into a blessing in disguise---she ended up as one of the MAAC's top pitchers in conference play, with a 5-1 record and 2.05 ERA. this is significant considering she didn't pitch all that much in pre-conference play, and was just adjusting to college softball. Jen will compete for starting time.

The Griffs have a freshman, Corinne Schaus on the roster this season. Corinne did not pitch much at all in the fall, so I suspect she will be eased into the lineup with some relief innings in the early part of the season. But as last year proved, you never know what will happen.

The 2012 Golden Griffins must have the goal of returning to the MAAC Tournament. The performance of their pitchers will determine if this is to be.

Father Of WNY Softball Remembered

"Father of WNY softball" remembered: wivb.com

And from the Buffalo News:
http://www.buffalonews.com/deaths/local-obituaries/article703417.ece

First Pitch Is A Month From Today!

The Griffs begin practicing Monday the 16th.
But there's still no snow??!
Outdoor practices maybe?
Maybe not!

WNY Softball Loses A Great Friend

Very sad news to report.

John Tripi, a great friend to and a leader of Western New York softball, has passed away today.

Mr. Tripi was the commissioner of the Amherst Girls Softball League, and was a leader of the great Amherst Lightning organization. As you can see from the photo below, he made an impact on a lot of young women who went on to play softball at Canisius College.

We offer our sympathy and prayers to John Tripi's family during this difficult time.

*There will be a tribute to John Tripi at the Sports Performance Park at Eastern Hills Mall on Tuesday, January 10th starting at 5 p.m. All are welcome.

ALEXIS ROMAN COMMITS TO CANISIUS

Alexis Roman of Chino, CA has committed to play softball for Canisius College beginning in the 2013 season.

The newest Golden Griffin is another recruit to come from a top ranked California High School softball program. Alexis Roman is a second baseman/shortstop at Don Lugo High School in Chino. She is a three time All-Mt. Baldy League selection, and helped the Conquistadores to a league championship in '11. Alexis plays travel ball currently with Pure Fastpitch; she has also played with the Lakewood Firecrackers and the So Cal Wicked. Presumably she will be signing her NLI in the spring.

Congratulations Alexis!

Happy New Year!

Around The Corner...

I've been out of town for the holidays, and I hope everyone reading this is having a great holiday season with their families.

The players are all back home at the moment, but will soon begin the 2012 season in earnest. First pitch is only six weeks away, if you can believe that. So far we've had a very mild winter; maybe that's a sign of better softball weather than we got a year ago. Soon after the new year, I will begin previewing (from a fan's perspective as usual) the new season. My prediction last year was totally off, as a reader so kindly reminded me soon afterward. But you will recall Coach Rappl talking of Super Regionals, so I was in good company. The Golden Griffins must always set the bar high; they have too proud of a tradition. Failing to qualify for the MAAC tournament last season was not acceptable; that must be their dedicated goal upon returning to campus.

Pictured is former Griff Jess Martin. Jess saw her single season homer record fall to Paige Freiberger in 2010, and now another of her records is in peril. Senior Katie Lancellotti is just four home runs short of tying her career record. And watching Katie play this past fall, I say she has a great chance of becoming the all-time home run queen. There is another player to watch for however. Junior Stephanie Pfentner is only 12 away from the record. So we could be talking about this again next year. Or maybe even this season...

Happy Holidays!

This time of year means...
Softball season is right around the corner!

Tori Nappo Signs National Letter Of Intent

Courtesy of The Clarence Bee

Victoria Nappo of Clarence, NY recently made her commitment official by signing a National Letter Of Intent, and will join the Golden Griffins next fall.

As you probably know, I have been hoping Tori would sign with the Griffs for the last couple years. The second team High School All-American will be Lizzy Gatto's heir apparent in center field, where I suspect she will be a four year starter. In my eyes, she's the best outfielder produced in Western New York in a long time---she has all the tools. Speed, a great arm, good range, an eye for the ball plus she's very intelligent, not to mention athletic. Tori also plays soccer and basketball at Clarence High, and does so very well. At the plate, Tori is a dynamic hitter. Able to hit for high average, she also will be bringing a lot of power to the Canisius lineup.

Of course you know she will be joining sister Val at Canisius; the two will make a formidable combination for the Griffs.

Congratulations Tori!

2012 Roster---Corinne Schaus

Corinne Schaus, Freshman
Pitcher
# 2

Barron Collier High School
Naples, FL

2012 Roster---Robin Kennery

Robin Kennery, Freshman
Third Base/Infield
# 6

Williamsville North High School
Williamsville, NY

2012 Roster---Michelle DelPrince

Michelle DelPrince, Freshman
Outfield
# 15

Lancaster High School
Lancaster, NY

2012 Roster---Sonia Aguilar

Sonia Aguilar, Freshman
Catcher
# 16

Nuview Bridge Early College High School
Nuevo, CA

2012 Roster---Erica Afanador

Erica Afanador, Freshman
Infield
# 4

Archbishop Mitty High School
San Jose, CA

2012 Roster---Marissa Miller

Marissa Miller
Redshirt Freshman
Catcher
# 17

2011
Did Not Play

2012 Roster---Jen Consaul

Jen Consaul, Sophomore
Pitcher/First Base
# 36

2011
8-3; 3.30 ERA
56 Strikeouts

2012 Roster---Valorie Nappo

Valorie Nappo, Sophomore
First Base/Outfield
# 5

2011
.272 Batting Average
10 Doubles; 8 RBIs; 3-4 Stolen Bases
1.000 Fielding Percentage

Bonnies Sign Five Players

St. Bonaventure softball coach Mike Threehouse has announced the signing of five new players to his softball program.

Emily McDonough is an infielder from Marlboro, NY and a player who has the potential to be a star in the Atlantic 10. Emily plays for Marlboro High School, where she achieved Class "A" All-New York State status with some remarkable statistics, including a .735 batting average and 48 stolen bases in 22 games.

Carly Bilchak of New Paltz, NY is an accomplished pitcher and hitter with Highland High School and the Ulster Fillies travel team. A hard thrower, Carly consistently posts ERAs of under 2.00, and many strikeouts.

Katie Sinclair of Cortland, NY is a first baseman/catcher for Homer High School. A multi-sport athlete, Katie is a powerful hitter, and led her team in hitting (.561) and extra base hits in '11.

Alexis Sloat is a pitcher from Shinglehouse, PA. She attends Bolivar-Richburg High School right across the border in New York. Alexis has a career record of 40-8 with the Wolverines, including a 19-4 record in '11, a season in which she struck out 166 batters while walking only 31 and finishing with an ERA of 1.88.

Emily Belfield of Lockport, NY is a center fielder for the Lady Lions and an All-Western New York Honorable Mention selection. A productive hitter, Emily broke the Lockport RBI record last season.

Congratulations to all!

2012 Roster---Stephanie Pfentner

Stephanie Pfentner, Junior
Catcher
# 18

2011
.250 Batting Average; .482 Slugging Percentage
7 Home Runs; 1 Triple; 3 Doubles; 23 RBIs
.985 Fielding Percentage; 13 Throw Outs

2010
.118 Batting Average
2 Doubles; 5 RBIs
.902 Fielding Percentage; 9 Throw Outs

2012 Roster---Chloe Contreras

Chloe Contreras, Junior
Outfielder, Pinch Runner
# 00

2011
.300 Batting Average
7 Runs

2010
.286 Batting Average
4 Runs

2012 Roster---Amanda Baun

Amanda Baun, Junior
Pitcher
# 20

2011
8-8; 4.75 ERA
82 Strikeouts

2010
18-12; 1.98 ERA
187 Strikeouts
ALL-MAAC

2012 Roster---Katie Medina

Katie Medina, Redshirt Junior
Second Base
# 13

2011
.253 Batting Average
1 Home Run; 2 Doubles; 11 RBIs
.991 Fielding Percentage

2010
.298 Batting Average; 34 Runs
1 Home Run; 5 Doubles; 7 RBIs
13-14 Stolen Bases; .950 Fielding Percentage

2009
Did Not Play