The hits came early and often as the Bulldogs defeated the second place North Shore Vikings 12-3 at Glenwood Landing Field. The win secured a second consecutive league title for the Bulldogs and it is the third in the last four years. Island Trees struck early against North Shore pitcher, Ray Chaputian. Joe Iglio's RBI single in the first was followed by a two-run hit by Tom Lombardi and the Bulldogs were off and running. Chris Mason and Danny Beale both executed consecutive squeeze bunts in the second and Greg Thomson then followed with a two-run single, which increased the lead to 7-0 after two innings. Michael Cavalcante hit a tremendous home run to right field the fourth. It was a one-arm job that rolled to Glenwood Road. The Bulldogs continued to supply the offense throughout the day. In the fifth inning, Ryan Pastore hit a tape measure homer that cleared the first row of trees at Glenwood Field. It was a mammoth home run that represented the finishing touch on a title day. Chris Mason finished the scoring for the Bulldogs with a two-run gapper to left centerfield. All nine starters had at least one hit on the day. Greg Thomson pitched his third straight complete game. Thomson struck out nine and allowed only four hits. It was Thomson's third straight win.

An exciting and nerve-wracking week on the Lady Bulldogs' softball diamond started on Monday with Senior Day, where Jaclyn Habermehl, Carol Lehmann, Kristen Mullervy and Sandy Baglivo were honored and thanked for all their years to the softball program at Island Trees. Flowers and pictures were the order of the day for both sides as the Lady Dawgs honored their rival fellow seniors from Plainedge High School. Although they may be rivals during the school season, they are teammates and best friends during the summer season where they play on the Massapequa PAL. The Plainedge seniors that were honored that day were Janine Gasior, Jamie Geagan, Rory Mifsud, Danielle Poulsen, Lauren Ruggiero and Jen Ragone. Congratulations and good luck to the Class of 2001!

Then came an exciting game. Not the ending the Lady Bulldogs were looking for, but a great game it was. After taking the lead in the bottom of the third inning with two consecutive singles by Jen Grella and Liz Dinolfo, Becky Santoriello then sacrificed them to second and third with a great bunt. Grella was then thrown out trying to score on an infield hit, and Dinolfo scored on a wild pitch. But, in the top of the fourth, a leadoff single turned into a home run when it was misplayed by the outfield. Tied at 1 going into the sixth inning, the Red Devils of Plainedge scored first with a single and an infield error, making the score 2-1. The Lady Bulldogs had runners on third in both the sixth and seventh, but couldn't bring them home. Chrissy DeMott was once again outstanding, allowing just six hits, striking out 12 and walking one. Her season strikeout total was 149 and an ERA of 0.831. Great job!

Next up was the seeding meeting where the Lady Dawgs would find out who they face in the first round of the playoffs. Being seeded fifth meant they would face Mineola at home on Thursday. What a game it was! Being ahead 2-0 going into the fifth on a clutch 2 out single by Jaclyn Habermehl, bringing in Liz Dinolfo and Carol Lehmann was just what we needed, but it didn't hold up. Chrissy DeMott had a one hitter going into the sixth, but then the bottom fell out. Mineola was able to tie it at 2 with three hits, a sacrifice and a key error. Tied going into the eighth inning, the Ladies of Mineola scored three runs; things didn't look good for the Bulldogs. "Never say die," says Capt. Jaclyn Habermehl, and a clutch two-run double by Liz Dinolfo scored Kate Schamberger and Becky Santoriello, and then Chrissy DeMott singled in the tying run. But, the go ahead run was stranded at third, unable to bring it across. Going into the top of the ninth, rightfielder Becky Santoriello made perhaps the best play of the game, throwing out the go ahead run at home with two outs. Amazing it was! Then in the bottom of the ninth with the last batter out starting at second as part of the international tie breaker rule, Erin Dodge laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt that was misplayed by the defense, and the runner, Jamie Zetterberg, scored the winning run in exciting fashion. Final score was Island Trees 6 Mineola 5.

Next up will be a rematch of the game at Glen Cove. Hopefully Island Trees will have the same results. Congratulations to this year's award winners: All County - Chrissy DeMott and Jaclyn Habermehl; All Conference - Carol Lehmann and Becky Santoriello and All Division - Erin Dodge. All well deserved.

On May 10, the Island Trees JV softball team won 13-7 against Glen Cove. Romina Chacon contributed big hits with a double, two singles and three runs in. Michelle McGurk not only pitched an excellent game, but she also hit a double and scored in two runs. Lisa Provenzano had four singles and also scored in three runs. Mary Seremeta hit a double and two singles and scored two runs. Shannon McAdam, Ashley Roman and Alyssa Fleming also helped score runs. Ashley Roman and Nikki Pena had great plays at first base while Danielle Baglivo made a great catch and a tag out at second base. Alyssa Fleming had some great plays at shortstop while Lisa Provenzano had made really good catches all over the outfield. Congratulations on an excellent season.

Congratulations to the girls 8th grade softball team on their 8-6 victory over Seaford. The Lady Bulldogs played an outstanding game against this well-matched rival. Pitcher Lori Brennan had a total of nine strikeouts throughout the course of the seven-inning game. Runs were scored by Gina Brewer, Amanda Cataldo, Donna Braun and Jackie Augner. Lauren O'Shea and Grace Vinberg also scored two apiece. Korin Jordan, Amanda Rossi, Megan Carlson and Kate Beale displayed smart base running. Staying strong and alert in the field were Hillary Sciacca, Stephanie Werling, Nicole Carrazana, Brittany Faherty, Kelly Murphy, Kaitlyn Sopp and Nathaly Estrada. So many notable plays were made throughout the game, but nothing brought the crowd to their feet like Megan Carlson's crossover high stretch catch in the sixth inning.

The 7th grade softball team played an outstanding game against Howitt. The girls hustled in the field and connected the bat and ball well at the plate. Once again, the pitchers, Jenny Kean, who struck out four batters and Colleen Cunningham, who struck out five batters, played an exciting game. Michelle Topel and Elissa Smith had great plays at first, stretching for each catch. Michelle Bearman and Meghan Sguigna played aggressively at shortstop. Michelle Bearman went 2 for 3 at bat. Keri Dodge and Dina Vecchione played a strong game at second. Dina Vecchione hit a triple, sending two other players home. Maggie Pepitone and Liz Badolato made great plays at third. Kelly LoMonaco and Janese Schepmoes had to be on their toes in the field, along with Jessica Medellin and Allison Mongello. Jamie McCurry and Tina Bove worked hard out in the field helping to hold the runners at first by getting the ball back to the pitcher quickly. Dominique Witteck and Gina Ilczyszyn made sure no balls go past him by playing well in the outfield. Lauren Mason played an astonishing game behind the plate. She made great plays with throws down to first and second. Overall, the girls hit and fielded well and also had fun.

The 7th grade baseball team played a hard fought game against Merrick Avenue JHS. Peter Marchelos led the offense with three hits and Justin Muscarella and Matt Valinoti each added two hits. Cole D'Ambrosio pitched four strong innings. The Island Trees lacrosse team defeated a very good Wisdom Lane team 8-7 at home. The Bulldogs were led by T.J. Fabis, who had three goals and Brian Spiess, who had two goals, one assist and six saves. John Conigliaro, who had two assists, led the defense. Mike Cama had another solid game, scoring two goals and winning five out of six face-offs. Congratulations to the co-ed track team on their second-place finish at Wantagh and Howitt. Great performances in running events were Meghan Doran with a first time running in 800 first place, Brian McGowan, first in 400 meter; Lindsay Hallas, second in 200 meter and second in 400 meter; Mike Shearer, third in 400 meter; Ashley Donnelly, first in 100 meter; and Christian Blauvelt, first in 200 meter. Also, great performances from Elyse Aguirre in the mile, Joe Paciullo in 800 meter and Christian Blauvelt clinching the high jump with a 5-foot jump.