Sharks reload for another MMA title run
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Senior Brieanna Brink played first base last year but will start at third base this spring for the Sacred Heart softball team.

Whenever the Sacred Heart softball team loses key seniors from the previous year, the Sharks have found a way to rebound and the 2008 squad will have to do the same if they want its fourth straight Monsignor Martin Association championship.

The Sharks have to fill holes left by 2007 seniors Alison Pyszczynski (MMA MVP, All-Catholic first team) and Lindsay Macaluso (All-Catholic first team).

"We've always had younger kids step in when we have lost key players," said Sacred Heart coach Mike Injaychock. "We have some youth with experience this year."

Injaychock expects senior co-captains Katie Salisbury and Brieanna Brink to fill in the leadership role. Salisbury, a returning All-Catholic second-team selection, returns as the starting shortstop.

Salisbury, who Injaychock classifies as a "good hitter and excellent fielder", started at second base as a sophomore.

Brink, who has been on the team since getting called up from JV as a freshman, moves from first to third base and could catch if needed.

The rest of the infield will be comprised of freshman Jessica Prater (first base), sophomore Caitlin Schenk (second base) and junior Molly Schmand (catcher). Schenk is a returning starter at second base.

Schmand played JV the last two years. Injaychock feels Prater and Schmand each have the ability to play their positions.

Sophomore JV call-up Julie Roessler can play second or third base.

The outfield will feature returning sophomore left-handed speedster Jen Martin (center field), and either freshman Jill Perillo, returning senior Allison Gravelle or sophomore JV call-up Nicole Okonczak. Okonczak can also play in the infield.

On the mound will be senior Pam Formoso. Formoso pitched some non-league games last year but primarily started in right field. Formoso replaces sophomore Erica Comisso, who is on the team but recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament that she suffered while playing basketball for the school late last year. Comisso was an All-Catholic first-team selection last year.

"She has a lot of control," said Injaychock of Formoso. "We're not losing a lot with Pam."

Injaychock feels pitching and defense will be team strengths this year.

"It's what has kept us in ball games in the past," said Injaychock. "It's something we've always prided ourselves on."

Sacred Heart has won the MMA regular season title the last four years. Their last loss to an MMA opponent came four years ago in the MMA All-Catholic final against Holy Angels. Injaychock expects Holy Angels, Immaculata, and Mt. Mercy to each field solid teams.

Sacred Heart finished 13-1 last season. If Sacred Heart were to win another All-Catholic crown, they will qualify for the Catholic State Tournament. Prior to this year, MMA softball teams did not compete for a state championship.
Sacred Heart 2008 Schedule
4-3 at John F. Kennedy.... 4 p.m.
4-8 Nardin ..................... 4:15 p.m.
4-9 St. Mary's of Lancaster 4:15 p.m.
4-23 at Mt. Mercy (Cazenovia
Park) ............................. 4:15 p.m.
4-25 at Immaculata...... 4:15 p.m.
4-29 at North Tonawanda 4:15 p.m.
5-1 at Niagara Catholic 4:30 p.m.
5-3 at 11th annual Depew Wildcats
Tournament at Walden Pond
Roy-Hart ...................... 11:30 a.m.
5-5 O'Hara..................... 4:15 p.m.
5-6 at Maryvale ............ 4:15 p.m.
5-7 Nichols.................... 4:15 p.m.
5-10 at Immaculata Tournament
(Nike Base) .......................... TBA
5-12 at Holy Angels (Shoshone
Park) .............................. 4:15 p.m.
5-14 at Mt. St. Mary's (Pepsi Center)
................................. 4:15 p.m.
* All home games are diamonds
by the Amherst Pepsi Center.