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Former Sweet Home grad returns to coach alma mater Diana Calandra always wanted to coach softball at her alma mater and the Sweet Home alum's wish has come true. Calandra, the 1998 All-Western New York Player of the Year at shortstop, makes her Sweet Home softball coaching debut this spring. "I always wanted to do it, I just didn't expect it to happen so soon," said Calandra, who takes over for Karen Johel. "It's definitely an honor to come back. A lot of the girls asked where I came from and I said, 'Sweet Home' and they said, 'really?'... It's nice to be able to give back." Calandra's coaching resume for softball includes coaching in the summer for the Amherst Lightning and as a volunteer coach with Johel on the varsity team. Calandra inherits a nice group of players who have varsity experience. None has more experience than senior Amanda Cannizzo, who is back for her sixth year. Cannizzo, a returning All-Western New York large schools and All-ECIC selection, is the team's No. 1 pitcher and when not pitching, plays in center field. In 24 games last year, Cannizzo led Sweet Home in all major categories. In 89 plate appearances, she hit .538 with a home run, 23 RBIs, 20 runs, four triples, 11 doubles, 43 hits and an .813 slugging percentage. She also stole four bases and only struck out twice. In the field, she recorded no errors and had 20 putouts and 134 assists. On the mound, her earned run average was under two. "It's not just athletic ability that makes her stand out but her attitude and character," said Calandra. "She's a great hitter. She can put down a bunt or hit for speed. Anything you ask of her she can do." Cannizzo has already signed a National Letter of Intent to play at Canisius College this coming year. Calandra is a 2002 graduate of Canisius and helped the Golden Griffins to Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championships and appearances in the NCAA Tournament in 1998 and 2002. Calandra holds Canisius' single season record for doubles with 22. Cannizzo is one of four captains. The other three are the team's other senior, Carol Skoney, and juniors Jess Forti and Natalie Vasquez. Skoney is the team's No. 2 pitcher and can play in right field. Forti will catch and hit cleanup. Vasquez will start at shortstop and could leadoff. Cannizzo is also an option to lead off. "Natalie is a great hitter and fielder with a lot of speed," said Calandra. "She can put a bunt down and run it out anytime." The rest of the team is comprised of juniors. Other starters penciled in as of press time are Jill Reeser (first base), Rachel Cimerman or Heather Kolbas (second base), Jesse Lewandowski (third base), Kelly Weber (left field, in center field if Cannizzo is pitching) and Lauren Prentice (left or right field depending on who is pitching). Reeser and Vasquez are returning ECIC I first and second-team all-stars, respectively. Reeser was second on the team in batting average (.309) and hits (21). She also had three doubles, nine RBIs and six runs last year. Vasquez batted .240 and had nine RBIs and six runs. Lewandowski split time last year between third base and designated hitter. "She's a power hitter," said Calandra of Lewandowski. "When she makes contact, it's gone. She also has a solid glove at third base. She really eats up the ball right away." Designated hitter/catcher Meg Land and outfielders Devin Gonzalez and Andy Finley and pitcher Sarah Cooper round out the team. Overall, Calandra thinks her team will hit well. "We've got talent," said Calandra. "We just have to put it to use." Because of student enrollment, Sweet Home moves from ECIC I to II.
Last year, Sweet Home finished 11-15 overall and lost to Kenmore West in the Section VI Class AA quarterfinals. |
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