The Varsity Baseball Team won its opening round game of the Nassau County Baseball Playoff Championship Tournament. The Bulldogs defeated Lynbrook by a score of 7-3 to advance to the next round. Led by the outstanding pitching of Anthony Pena, who tossed a complete game six-hitter, striking out eight and walking none. Sal DiBenedetto went 3-for-4, driving in two, including a key bunt single and a huge double in the sixth, which drove in two. DiBeneditto also played outstanding defense, making numerous plays at shortstop to secure the Bulldog victory. Mike Cudia reached base every time up, while Chris Mason, Mike Santonocito, Joe Iglio and Greg Thomson all added key hits . Mike McCave's over-the-shoulder catch in right, ending the game, was a sight to see. The Bulldogs now take on the Falcons of Valley Stream South at Valley Stream. The loser goes home, while the winner survives and advances.

Well, the Lady Bulldogs playoffs are under way. In a big way this is!

First up was Seaford. After five days of practice, the girls showed their stuff. They pounded out 16 runs in just five innings. Winning pitcher Jamie Pietrantoni was up to her usual standard of excellence, only allowing two hits, one run and 11 strikeouts. She got a lot of support with the Lady Dawgs scoring six runs in just the first inning. Christy DeMott led the girls with two hits, one walk and two runs scored. Denise Jones also had a great game with two walks, two runs scored and was hit once to force in another run. Final score Island Trees 16, Seaford 1.

Next up was #7 seed North Shore. What a game it was! It took 10 innings, but the Lady Bulldogs came out on top again! Pietrantoni was spectacular with an amazing 21 strikeouts, her season best as well as her career best. She only allowed five hits and one run for her 16th win of the year. Her season strikeout total stands at 238 in just 140 innings! And an ERA of just 0.900. Going into the bottom of the ninth inning behind 1-0, Elaina Koutsoftas walked with the bases loaded and a full count to force in pinch runner Rosa Oliveri with the tying run to keep the Lady Bulldogs alive. But, it was in the 10th when the thrill of victory was felt by all. With the bases loaded again and the count two and two to Jessica Fredericks, she laid down a perfect bunt which scored Stacey Rooks from third for the win. Final score Island Trees 2, North Shore 1. Next up is Garden City in the semifinals.

The eighth-grade baseball team took on the Rams from Merrick Avenue and played a spectacular game. First-year player Herbert Reyes allowed one earned run in pitching a complete game gem. Reyes struck out eight, while giving up only one walk. Leading the attack for the Dawgs was Dennis Ezzo as he ignited the offense with two triples, a double, two runs scored and a steal of home. Rob Giovi showed patience working out three walks and scoring twice while Chauncey Garcia singled and scored two runs. John Zarrelli singled in two runs and scored. Chris Hoebeler singled and scored, but started two rallies by getting hit with a pitch twice, and made a great play at home to tag a runner trying to score. Dan Clarke, James Scrimo and Aaron Lerner also had important at-bats with Scrimo laying down a textbook bunt. The Bulldogs played fundamental baseball to perfection in this thrilling 11-5 victory. Included in the win were those Ram runners thrown out at third and one at the plate. The double play combo of Zarrelli to Garcia to Ezzo was a true highlight to end the sixth. As Reyes K'd the last batter, the team swarmed the mound as they all celebrated the well-deserved victory.

Five different lacrosse players scored goals as the I.T. Lacrosse Team defeated a strong Wisdom Team by the score of 7-4. Brian Bennetti had two goals, while Mike Rossi, Kevin McGovern, Paul DePasquale, Paul Wigdzinski and Justin O'Donnell each scored one. The three goalies, Matt Fiorello, J.C. Stellakis and Paul Caffrey all had a strong game.

On May 25, the I.T. Lacrosse team defeated Woodland by a score of 14-3. T.J. Young led all scorers with three goals. Paul Wigdzinski, Kevin McGovern, Mike Rossi and Joe McCauley each had two goals. Brian Bennetti, John Ambrosio and Mike Garger all contributed a goal. Goalies Matt Fiorello, J.C. Stellakis and Paul Caffrey were all outstanding.

Last week proved to be a great week for the track team. In the 55 hurdles, Stefani Caminiti finished first in two meets. Lauren Curran and Rachael LoGatto took second and third. Ken Spicer took first in both meets for the boys. Christina Solis continued her winning ways with her best time in the 400m. The team's new member, Rob Lettis, placed third in the 400 in his first meet. Heather Cockrum did well, finishing second in the 800m and the boys relay had its first win also. The relay team consisted of Ken Spicer, Adam Macaluso, Pat Feehan and Don Ludwig. In the 55, Melanie Hallas took first, Stefani Caminiti, second and Jessica Frizalone, third. In the 200, Lauren Curran took first, Chelsea Marciano second and Christina Solis third.

Mid-week, the track team came in second place. In the 55 hurdles Adam Macaluso placed second with 9.7 seconds. For the girls, Chelsea Marciano came in first in the 400m. Christina Solis came in first with her fastest time ever, which was one minute and 12 seconds. In the 100m., Rob Lewis came in first with a time of 13.7 seconds. For the 55m. Rob Lewis scored 8.1 seconds, finishing second. For the girls, Stefani Caminiti came in first with a 8.5, Chelsea Marciano first in the 200 with 30.2 seconds.

The Island Trees seventh-grade softball team lost a slugfest against Howitt 25-22. In a game in which there were six lead changes, the Lady Dawgs fought hard throughout. Lisa Provenzano had three hits and five RBIs and Mary Seremeta, Shannon McAdam, Lindsay Burleson, Danielle Baglivo, and Laura Zummo had two hits apiece. Jessica Lospitalier, Dominque Mello, Samantha and Danielle Miller, Amanda Green and Kristin Gilson each contributed a hit and a run scored.

The eighth-grade softball team extended its winning streak to three with an exciting 12-10 win over Berner. After leading by one, Island Trees built a 12-4 lead after five innings, but Berner came back with five runs in the sixth and one more in the seventh to make the final 12-10. Heather Rooks led the offense with seven stolen bases and three runs scored. Also helping was Candace Grosser with three hits and Teresa Grassi with two runs scored. Big defensive plays were a double play started by Jen Grella and a diving catch by Rebecca Santoriello.