What a season it was for the Lady Bulldogs softball team. One filled with so many different emotions. So many highs and lows, ups and downs. Through it all, the Lady Bulldogs came out on top, on top of Nassau County as Class B Champs.

If you've been following the team through the season, you are probably wondering just how it was possible to achieve that goal having a record of .500. With sheer guts and determination, and terrific leadership by senior All County catcher, Jaclyn Habermehl and junior All County pitcher, Chrissy DeMott, the dream became a reality at Cantiague Park in front of hundreds of adoring parents and fans. It took three games, but at the end, the Lady Dawgs were champs.

The girls then headed out to Fireman's Field in Ridge to face an outstanding team, the East Hampton Class B Suffolk County Champs, for the right to represent Long Island at the State Tournament at Mitchel Field. Although the ending was not how the team dreamed it would be, the girls made it a respectable game, losing 5-2, taking nothing away from what they have already accomplished as Nassau County Class B Champs.

This young team now realizes what they have to do to take it to the next level. They will work harder, they will play some club ball during the summer and they have made a vow to get back to defend the county title next year.

The coaches would like to thank all four seniors for their terrific leadership both on and off the field. Jaclyn Habermehl, Carol Lehmann, Sandy Baglivo and Kristen Mullervy, good luck and best wishes in college, the team will truly miss you. Juniors Chrissy DeMott, Liz Dinolfo and Kristen Schafer will try to fill some of their shoes. The heart of this team was the great class of sophomores, Jen Grella, Jamie Zetterberg, Rebecca Santoriello, Corinne Vinberg, Erin Carroll and Erin Dodge. They have promised to work harder to get better. The freshman centerfielder, Kate Schamberger and Alyssa Fleming, the playoff pinch runner, will surely help to achieve that goal.

Finally Coach Logan and Coach Price would like to take this opportunity to thank all who helped to get the team there. First and most important, Carole, Mr. Connell's secretary. Carole got them to the games on time, checked their schedule, got their fields lined for them and did lot of paperwork to put it all together. Thanks Carole, you're the best.

Next, the grounds crew, the fields are just beautiful. Many teams come to Island Trees field and are just in awe over them. Thanks guys for all you do, you make Island Trees proud.

Mr. Connell, Mr. Longaro, Mr. Segerdahl, the Board of Education, thanks for all your support. Finally, the parents, the coaches are sure you had your doubts, but a team with the desire and commitment that your children had, made this dream season a reality. It doesn't come without a lot of hard work. They shared lots of ups and downs, lots of tears and lots of hours together, but at the end it was all worth it, 2001 Nassau County Champs.

The 7th grade Baseball team lost a tough game to Packard, 7-6. Tim Dwyer pitched 5 strong innings, only allowing 4 runs. Matt Valinoti, Peter Marchelos and Cole D'Ambrosio each had 2 hits. Mike Schulman added a hit and a stolen base. Congratulations to the Girls 8th Grade Softball Team on their season ending win over Merrick Ave. The game started with a bang when leadoff batter Gina Brewer took the first pitch and cracked it deep into the outfield for a game starting homerun. Hillary Sciacca, Amanda Rossi, Grace Vinberg, Jackie Augner, Lauren O'Shea and Nathaly Estrada all scored runs in the first inning. Pitcher Kate Beale had a total of 6 strikeouts during the game, and made two key catches in the third inning. Kelly Murphy scored, as did Lori Brennan, Nicole Carrazana, Stephanie Werling and Korin Jordan. Donna Braun stayed awake and alert at 3rd, making a key play in the 2nd inning, while Korin Jordan's catching ability was peerless. Megan Carlson's base running ability and instincts paid off for the Bulldogs when she scored in the 4th and 5th innings, while Kaitlyn Sopp's leaping ability went unmatched for the entirety of the game.