The Mineola High School varsity softball team just lived through a season of many lives. The Lady Mustangs started strong, went through a frustrating season in the best league in the county and then changed the nightmare to a dream once the second season began.

Coach Chrissy Bennett's team opened its season with a 2-1 conference victory over Seaford. The euphoria of that victory faded quickly in the rugged B/C-1 Conference. What followed were nine consecutive losses. Just when you thought all was lost, Mineola snapped out of it and upset Wheatley 1-0. Senior pitcher Kristin Raffetto scattered five hits and struck out seven batters while Melissa Hock gave Raffetto all she would need with a fourth inning RBI double, which scored junior Liz Terezo with what turned out to be the winning run.

A 10-5 win over Plainedge followed. Terezo banged out three hits, including a homerun and drove in four runs while scoring three times. Sophomore Nicole Lapin helped open up a big lead when she stroked a bases-loaded triple in the third inning.

"The most wonderful thing about this team is the players never give up," Bennett said.

That was further evident when Mineola opened the Nassau Class-B playoffs by beating Lynbrook 4-3 and amazingly put it all together in shocking number one seed Clarke 8-1.

The win over Lynbrook came in thrilling fashion. Senior Melissa Hock went home on sophomore Lauren Raffetto's groundout to second. Junior Melissa Skupp had scored the tying run with two outs in the 7th inning to force extra innings. Hock ended up with two hits in the game and drove in one run.

The quarter final win over Clarke was the shocker, though. The Mustangs never let the top-seeded team take a breath. Kristin Raffetto kept the Clarke hitters in check. She allowed five hits and struck out five while the Mineola offense was having its most productive day of the season. Senior Vicky Russo stroked three hits, drove in a run and scored twice while Melissa Hock had one hit and drove in two runs to lead the way. That win earned Mineola a shot at the title.

But an old nemesis, Floral Park, grounded the magic carpet ride by beating the Mustangs in the semifinals 3-1. It was the third time Floral Park beat the Mustangs this season.

The Lady Mustangs, though, earned some awards for their hard play in a rugged league this season. Centerfielder Liz Terezo was chosen All-County by the coaches. Pitcher Kristen Raffetto was named All-Conference and earned a spot in the exceptional senior game. Shortstop Caitlin Orlando was also named All-Conference while second baseman Vicky Russo was elected All-Division.