Bull's-eye pointed on Sacred Heart softball
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

When you're the top team in any sport, everyone is gunning to knock you off. But when you go 34-1 in league games since 2004, like Sacred Heart has, you better believe you're a target.

"The bull's-eye gets bigger," said Sacred Heart coach Mike Injaychock, whose team hasn't lost a league game since losing to Mt. Mercy in the 2004 Monsignor Martin Association finals. "Any team that is able to get a victory over us, it could certainly make their season. So everyone gears up for us, and the kids have to be prepared for it mentally… They're pretty proud of what they've accomplished, and I think they want to keep it going, but that remains (to be seen)."

Injaychock has some returning veterans plus some newcomers making up the starting lineup. Leading the way are seniors, pitcher Mallory Pemberton, catcher Allison Pyszczynski and third-baseman Lindsay Macaluso. All three were All-Catholic first-team selections. Pemberton was also an All-Western New York small school selection. Pyszczynski and Macaluso enter their fourth years on varsity; Pemberton, her third.

In regular season games, Pemberton was 8-0, allowed only two earned runs and walked three batters and overall, finished 11-1, allowed six earned runs and four walks.

Pyszczynski is a tremendous defensive player with a rocket arm to pick off runners. Sarkovics said she only threw out three runners last year because no one dared to attempt a steal. Macaluso is the team's only captain. Sarkovics said Pyszczsynski and Macaluso each hit over .400.

Other starters are juniors Brieanna Brink at first base, freshman Erica Comisso at second base, Katie Salisbury, who moves from second to shortstop, as well as senior Rachel Bradley in left field, freshman Jenn Martin in center field and Allison Gravelle in right field. Gravelle played JV last year.

Juniors Pam Formoso (pitcher/second base) and Chelsea Dzieken (outfield/first base) and senior Erika Fraas (outfield/catcher ) round out the roster.

"I think it's a good mix," Injaychock said. "We're not a senior-laden team."

Injaychock said his team's pitching and defense, especially in the infield, will be his team strengths.

Sacred Heart finished 12-0 in the MMA and won its second straight MMA title last year. They were 13-2 overall.
              Sacred Heart 2007 Schedule
4-16 Immaculata ......................................... 4:15 p.m.
4-21 at North Ton. Tourn. -   .. Ken. East, 2:30 p.m.;
South, 6:30 p.m.
4-23 Mt. Mercy ............................................ 4:15 p.m.
4-25 at Nardin (LaSalle Park) .................. 4:15 p.m.
4-28 at North Ton. Tourn. ................................. TBA
4-30 at St. Mary's of Lancaster................. 4:30 p.m.
5-3 at John F. Kennedy.............................. 4:15 p.m.
5-8 at Maryvale ........................................... 4:15 p.m.
5-10 at Nichols............................................ 4:15 p.m.
5-14 Holy Angels......................................... 4:15 p.m.
5-17 Mt. St. Mary's...................................... 4:15 p.m.
5-18 at Amherst .......................................... 4:15 p.m.
5-21 Alden.................................................... 4:15 p.m.
5-22 Niagara Catholic ................................ 4:15 p.m.
* All home games will be played at the Amherst
Pepsi Center.
e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com