In a season filled with bizarre events such as multiple rainouts and even a bomb scare, the eighth grade St. Dominic Girls' CYO Softball team remained poised and consistent capturing their second straight Long Island Championship and third title in four years! The back-to-back titles also capped off back-to-back undefeated seasons!

The June 17 championship game against St. Raymond's of East Rockaway was expected to be a close one as the two teams had met twice in the regular season with both games ending in ties. The first game was a rain-shortened 0-0 tie with both teams hurling no hitters. The second game in East Rockaway featured a suspension of play when the police evacuated everyone due to the discovery of a possible live grenade on an adjacent field. The game resumed at a different location and ended in a 3-3 extra-inning tie.

As usual, the St. Dominic girls exceeded expectations. Unfazed by the past meetings with St. Raymond's, they won the game convincingly 10-4 with their trademarks of solid fundamental play, aggressiveness and teamwork. In the first inning Kerri Apicella re-injured her hip after drilling a run-scoring triple to centerfield and in the second inning Kelsey Todd was struck in the foot by a fastball. As both pitchers sat on the bench holding ice packs on their respective injuries things looked bleak but the team pulled together. Stealing a season high 20 bases including an incredible six steals of home: twice by Keri Bongiovani and once each by Courtney Collins, Nicole Podpirka, Lauren Meares and Kelsey Todd, the team built a substantial lead. Then with Kelsey Todd and Kerri Apicella shrugging off their injuries to pitch a combined one hitter with 16 strikeouts, as they had all season long, the team overcame adversity to successfully defend their title.

The girls' success is due to the fact that they always play as a team first and always support each other. Maria Moreno, Katie Bonilla, Lex Pillari, Courtney Collins and Stephanie Chakiryian played the outfield. Kelsey Todd and Kerri Apicella pitched. Keri Bongiovanni, Lauren Meares, Rebecca Orlich and Mary Ann Manucci covered the infield. Maddie Howes and Nicole Podpirka anchored the defense and pitching by sharing the catching duties.

Most importantly, the girls and their parents were fortunate to have Randy Todd as their coach assisted by Rich Podpirka and Jack and Barbara Howes selflessly volunteering their time and efforts for the past four years. Tony and Bryan Bongiovanni also donated a lot of their time and efforts to the team. More than the championships and the praise from other coaches and umpires for their solid fundamental play, Randy, Rich, Jack and Barbara taught a fantastic group of girls not just how to play softball but how to have a great time playing softball as a team!