New faces starting for Sweet Home
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Junior Amanda Cannizzo is Sweet Home's top pitcher and when not pitching, will play in the outfield. Cannizzo was an All-Western New York first team selection as a sophomore. Photo by John Rusac Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

Despite losing several starters from last year's team, Sweet Home softball coach Karen Johel is hopeful for a successful season this spring.

"There is a lot of young talent and many of them have been playing travel ball which should make us better players and a better team this year," said Johel. "I see a lot of hope in our season and with ECIC Division I being wide open, it's anybody's to win."

New starters include sophomores Heather Kolbas at second base and Rachel Cimerman at shortstop. Sophomores Kelly Weber and Jessica Forti will split time at catcher. Whoever catches will start in left field as part of a brand new outfield. Junior Nadia Durno and sophomore Jillian Reeser will split time in right field. Juniors Amanda Cannizzo and Carol Skoney will interchange between center field and pitching. Cannizzo is the team's No. 1 pitcher. Skoney will hit from the left side of the plate to be more of a slap hitter.

Cannizzo, an All-Western New York first team and All-ECIC selection as a sophomore, led the team in every offensive category. She had 36 hits, a .537 batting average, .581 on-base percentage, .687 slugging percentage, three triples, four doubles, 18 RBIs, and 16 runs. She's off to a good start this season, leading off with a triple in the team's 6-5 non-league home win over Kenmore East last Wednesday. She was 2 for 4 on the day and pitched a complete game with nine strikeouts.

"She continues to be one of the better players around for us now and leads by example," Johel said. "She comes in and works hard every day."

Cannizzo threw 93 percent of the team's innings pitched last year and finished with a 1.97 ERA. Johel feels Cannizzo has become a more confident pitcher.

Cannizzo and Krista Prentice, the only senior on the roster, captain the team. Prentice (.412 last year) returns at first base. Sophomore Natalie Vazquez, an ECIC I second team selection, is back at third. Vazquez hit .348 and was second on the team in runs (15) and fourth in RBIs (10).

Johel said having Prentice and Vazquez back on the corners is great.

"They're used to playing the positions and are leaders on and off the field," said Johel. "I see good things coming from those two this year."

Durno can also play first.

Juniors Marissa Pinkowski (outfield) and Lauren West (utility) provide depth.

Sweet Home finished 10-11 overall last season and 6-8 in ECIC I. They lost 4-0 to Williamsville South in the Section VI Class "A" quarterfinals.

Also adding hits for Sweet Home in the Kenmore East win were Cimerman (2 for 3), while Vazquez, Prentice, Forti and Durno all added key hits.

Sweet Home dropped its first league game, 4-2, on Monday against Clarence. Cannizzo and Skoney combined for six hits and four strikeouts. Leading the way offensively were Cannizzo (double), Prentice (double), Forti and Weber. Cannizzo and Prentice scored runs.

Sweet Home played Kenmore West on Tuesday but results were unavailable before The Bee went to press.
                Sweet Home 2007 Schedule
4-17 W.S. West.................................................. 5 p.m.
4-18 at Orchard Park ................................. 4:30 p.m.
4-20 North.................................................... 4:45 p.m.
4-21 at North Tonawanda tourn. Niagara Falls 8:30
a.m., Dunkirk 12:30 p.m.
4-23 at Lancaster ........................................ 4:30 p.m.
4-24 at Clarence.......................................... 4:30 p.m.
4-25 at Frontier........................................... 4:30 p.m.
4-28 at North Ton. Tourn.. ............................. 8 a.m.
4-30 Jamestown .......................................... 4:30 p.m.
5-2 at W.S. West ............................................... 4 p.m.
5-3 at Jamestown ............................................ 5 p.m.
5-4 Orchard Park........................................ 4:30 p.m.
5-5 at Depew Tourn. Bracket B - vs. Victor 11:30 a.m.
(Diamond   7,   Walden   Pond),   winner   plays   W.S.
West-Niagara-Wheatfield at 3:30 p.m., loser at 1:30
p.m.
5-7 at North ................................................. 4:30 p.m.
5-9 Lancaster............................................... 4:45 p.m.
5-10 Frontier................................................ 4:30 p.m.
5-14 at W.S. East......................................... 4:30 p.m.
5-21 East 4:30...................................................... p.m.
e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com