Purchase, NY
(April 28, 2018) –
Antonina Fiore and
Lisa Kentris played their final games at Purchase Saturday.
The two standouts were honored on Senior Day. A large crowd of friends, family and loved ones joined together to celebrate the two beloved captains. The Panthers would also show plenty of fight on the diamond, but ultimately, the conference's best team – St. Joseph's College-LI – would yield a 5-0 game-one win and cap the day in a 9-1 six-inning victory. First-place SJC-LI is 13-1 in league play.
Despite the final scores, nothing could spoil Senior Day for Fiore (SR/Mount Sinai, NY) and Kentris (JR/Latham, NY).
"Today is a special day as we honor two seniors on Senior Day," said Purchase
Sports Information Director Bobby Ciafardini, who MCed the brief ceremony in between games. "Our head coach,
Mark Sergio, has put together a few words for each of our seniors.
"Our first senior is best described as 'Ms. Dependable' … She always got the job done, both on and off the field. We can always count on Toni Fiore. She is one of our 2018 captains, elected by the team … Toni became a leader and a player that her teammates looked to for motivation and leadership. A versatile player who has been a starter over her years at two positions: Catcher and first base. As our catcher, Toni called her own games and our pitchers have complete confidence in her ability to call the right pitches. Toni was the athlete that was never satisfied with her performance and always striving to improve. She is a member of the Skyline Conference Academic Honor Roll."
Kentris followed. She has one season of eligibility left and may use it next year at Sage, where she will be getting her Master's.
"Our next senior is the definition of a student-athlete. She is graduating in three years with a 4.02 GPA. While maintaining that GPA,
Lisa Kentris has played three sports, playing through injuries that have sidelined many other athletes. She has been a starter on the softball team from Day 1 of her freshman year. She has been on the Skyline Academic Honor Roll multiple times; was named to the 2017 all- conference team; represented Purchase at the 2017 NCAA leadership forum and recently added the 100-hit milestone to her long list of accolades."
Although Purchase fell short in the opener, game one was highlighted by a juggling, diving catch by
Kelly Hayes (JR/Staten Island, NY); a diving catch by
Daniella Edelson (JR/Hopewell Junction, NY) in right field that kept the hosts in the hunt and some solid pitching by starter
Kelly Agostini (FR/Centereach, NY).
SJC-LI's Theresa Cardello earned the shutout win in the circle. The Golden Eagles scored one in the first, one in the third, two in the fourth and a single run in the seventh. Elise Grau and Jillian McFadzen had two RBI apiece in the win.
Edelson roped a double down the left-field line and finished the opener with two hits.
A five-run first keyed the visitors in game two. They added two runs in the fifth and sixth to seal the six-inning win.
Fiore provided a nice highlight with a hit and RBI in her final game. Edelson also stayed hot with a hit and run scored in game two.
Ashley Accardi was the big bopper for the Golden Eagles in the second game. She went 3-for-4 with two RBI.
