Young Brewster Team Impressed on the Way to Sectional Semifinals

BREWSTER - Playing without a senior in the starting lineup, the Brewster High softball team enjoyed another solid spring season, going 17-6 and advancing to the sectional semifinals before falling to top-seeded Harrison in the Class B tournament.

The Bears bring their entire starting lineup back next spring. Brewster went 12-4 in League IIA, finishing second to Lakeland, and once in the playoffs, the No. 5 seed Bears bumped Ardsley in the first round, then upset No. 4 Pelham in the quarterfinal round, before meeting up with Harrison in the semifinals.

"The girls did a fantastic job," Brewster first-year coach Lisa Delzio said. "For a young team, they didn't play young. We played well in the playoffs… even against Harrison. I would like to get the overall team batting average up, but our pitching was phenomenal. Kelly (Bentson) and Jess (Griesinger) did a great job. They kept us in games. Overall, I think it was a great season. I couldn't be more pleased with their effort. They never gave up."

Griesinger, a sophomore right-handed pitcher, went 10-4 in her second varsity season, and Bentson, a junior team captain, pitched and played a strong first base.

CW, from Top Left: Jess Griesinger, Marisa Delzio, Kristen Sliman, Kelly Bentson. Photos by Skip Pearlman "Jess was excellent," Delzio said. "She's one of the most focused athletes… she constantly impressed me with her maturity level on the mound. I'm happy to have her back two more years. And Kelly is like another coach on the team. She's a terrific captain, and a leader on and off the field. At first base she was incredible… she only made one error all season. She had a great season."

Junior captain and shortstop Kristen Sliman and freshman center fielder Marisa Delzio took home All-Section Honorable Mention and All-League honors, and freshman Savannah Sergio was named All-League Honorable Mention.

"Kristen was a leader on and off the field," Delzio said. "She led us in just about every offensive category. Marisa was a pleasant surprise… she's very fast and played a great center field. She made several game-saving catches. And Savannah had some key hits for us. She sparked some rallies we really needed."

Delzio also mentioned junior Nicole Chiudina, sophomore Katie O'Connell and freshman Christina Graff as playing big roles. "Their contributions were important," the coach said. "We wouldn't have been as successful without them."

With the entire starting lineup returning next spring, expectations will be high.

"I can't wait," Delzio said. "It can't come soon enough for me - and them. The only thing we have to do is stay focused on next year. They control their own destiny."