'Let's make history:' North Rockland ready for NYSPHSAA Class AA softball final four
THIELLS - The recent issues with air quality didn't put a damper on North Rockland's mood, as it forced the Red Raiders to move their practice indoors on Wednesday afternoon. After drills, dances and hip hop music to stay upbeat, Jackie DiNuzzo ended the penultimate practice of the season with an important moment of reflection.
The team turned from their end-of-practice huddle and looked at the gymnasium walls that bear the names of past Red Raider legends and title-winners at an individual and team-wide level.
"Let's get a banner on there," DiNuzzo said. "Let's make history."
Repeat: North Rockland defeats White Plains to repeat as Section 1 Class AA champs
The Red Raiders are making their first trip to the NYSPHSAA Final Four since 2010. They hope to do what no North Rockland team did before them: win the program's first state title.
"We are all more than pumped," North Rockland senior pitcher Delaney McGovern said. "I know I am, and in our team group chat, we've been texting like, 'Can it just be Friday?' We just want to play."
After a title repeat in another Section 1 Class AA finals thriller with White Plains, the Red Raiders followed up by unseating the defending NYSPHSAA Class AA champion, Monroe-Woodbury. They aim to build on the momentum as they prepare to take the field at the Moriches Athletic Complex in Long Island for the softball state final four this weekend.
"Especially since it's our senior year, it felt really good to be regional champions and finally being able to go to a state final four for the first time in 13 years, it just feels really good," North Rockland senior shortstop Ally Murphy said. "We were really prepared. We've been working hard all year so it's all worth it."
The Red Raiders boast a talented mix of experienced multi-year starting underclassmen and underclassmen stepping up in big spots this season. They've come together for another successful season, one they hope will end with state-wide supremacy.
"We're feeling great, really ready to go," North Rockland senior catcher Olivia Leon said. "We've been prepared, we've had so many games. Before the season, we went to Myrtle Beach and we had scrimmages, so I think we're ready for this. What makes this team unique is how close we are, because we've all grown up playing softball together. We all know each other and that just brought us together."
North Rockland will face Section 2 champion Shenendehowa, who is entering hot after a rough midseason patch where it lost six of seven games to end the month of April. The Plainsmen haven't lost since May 1 and they are riding a 10-game winning streak.
Also joining them in the NYSPHSAA final four is Long Island champ Massapequa, who is making a return trip to states, and Section 6 power Clarence.
"We're just trying to keep it loose, upbeat, every team out there is good," DiNuzzo said. "Obviously nerves are natural, but I say you can be nervous, just don't be scared. (On Wednesday) we emphasized hitting a lot, everything was hitting, hitting, hitting. I have faith in our defense and if Delaney's on, we've got a very good shot at this. I think we're a very talented team, it's just how they show up on Friday."
North Rockland is Section 1 softball's last team standing, after other local section champs were knocked out during the regional rounds of the state tournament.
The Red Raiders making it back to the state final four marks the return of Section 1 to New York high school softball's biggest stage. Last season, all four Section 1 champions fell short of reaching the NYSPHSAA final four.
In the two years before that, there weren't any state championship or playoff events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It's been a difficult, long journey, but one that has readied the Red Raiders for the the weekend.
"I was actually more nervous before Monroe-Woodbury, than I was going into the state tournament, because you're going up against the former state champion. They were experienced, but I told our girls we've been here too. We lost to Monroe last year, but they lost a lot of players and we're battle-tested and game-ready. We were resilient, and just chipped away."
North Rockland (21-2) vs. Shenendehowa (16-6)
When: Friday, at 3:30 p.m. (While there have been modifications to the schedule for other sports and final fours, NYSPHSAA has not made any revisions for softball.)
Where: Moriches Athletic Complex, Long Island
State rankings: North Rockland is the No. 2-ranked Class AA team in the state, according to NYSSCOGS. Shenendehowa enters at No. 4.
North Rockland's road to states: The Red Raiders defeated John Jay-East Fishkill (5-0), Ketcham (8-0), then White Plains (3-2) to repeat as Section 1 champs. They met Monroe-Woodbury in a rematch of last year's state regional matchup, but came out on top this time around, winning 4-1.
Shenendehowa's road to states: The Plainsmen defeated Shaker (1-0), Guilderland (9-6) and Colonie (7-6) to win the Section 2 Class AA title. They downed Baldwinsville, 5-4, in the state regional final to advance.
Up next: The North Rockland-Shenendehowa winner will face Section 8's Massapequa or Section 6's Clarence in the Class AA state championship game on Saturday, at 12 p.m.
Follow Eugene Rapay on Twitter at @erapay5 and on Instagram at @byeugenerapay.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Softball: North Rockland ready for NYSPHSAA Class AA final four
