By Cristina Brito - Immaculata- La Salle HS
Photographer: COURTESY PHOTO
The 15-3 Immaculata-La Salle softball team poses for a photo after their Tournament Conference Championship win with their coaches, Head Coach Rick Hernandez and assistant coaches Genevieve Roberts and Salesian Sister Clare Kenelly. They defeated Miami Country Day by a convincing score of 11-4.
This article was written by Immaculata-La Salle Coach Chris Crotty.
MIAMI | Catcher Beatriz Triay slammed her glove to the ground like an exclamation point on a fantastic season.
Immaculata-LaSalle pitcher Arianna Arroyo had just thrown her 101st strike-out for the 2017 softball season, and notched a Tournament Conference Championship in the process.
Under the guidance of Head Coach Rick Hernandez and assistant coaches Genevieve Roberts and Salesian Sister Clare Kenelly, the softball team ended the season with an overall record of 15-3 and as regular season conference champions.
The 11-4 win over Miami Country Day April 5 helped Arianna earn the distinction of Conference Player of the Year and Tournament MVP. She also had three hits on the night, scored once and had two RBIs.
Kristina (Kiki) Maribona had a three-hit night including a double. She scored three times and had four RBIs.
The team’s two seniors, Nicole (Niki) Maribona and Karina Santin, were emotional playing in their last high school softball game. Niki used her exceptional speed to score twice on one hit, and Karina added a hit and had an RBI in the contest. Both of their offensive and defensive contributions this year have been key components of the team’s success.
Amanda Santin added a hit and an RBI, and Beatriz played tremendously behind the plate, adding a key hit with an RBI. A key defensive play by Alex Rodriguez squashed any hope of a Miami Country Day comeback.
Four Immaculata-La Salle players were named to First Team All-Conference: Arianna, Beatriz, Nicole, and Yasmine Regueira. Two more were named to Second Team All-Conference: Karina, and Alexandra Tsotsos. And two more to Third Team All-Conference: Kristina, and Kimberly Montesi.
Karina also was named Conference Scholar-Athlete.
Next year’s team will be led by six seniors: Arianna, Beatriz, and Tiffany along with Kimberly Montesi, Laura Sardinas and Amanda Moreno. They will be backed up by some great up-and-coming talent: Amanda, Kiki, Yasmine, Alex Rodriguez, Alex Tsotsos, Jennifer Yanes, Alyssa Martinez, and Sofia Sousa.
“We thank all the parents, Sister Clare, and the school for their continued support for a fast developing softball program,” said Coach Hernandez
