John Jay Previews with Photos

Scroll down for preseason softball, baseball and lacrosse photos and regular season baseball, softball and tennis photos

Baseball Team Aims to Make a Little Go a Long Way

Last year Coach Ted Lawrence admitted that his team had the lowest batting average in any of his first three seasons. The team still survived the semifinal round of the sectionals and had a successful regular season. But making up for any shortfall always starts on the mound, and he feels pretty confident in that regard

Jacob Storch, Jackson Moreo and Jack Garneau, the three seniors have one thing in common. “Great command, they throw a variety of pitches,” he boasted.

Still, eight seniors have exited, and a little uncertainty is expected. “We’re still figuring things out,” he said.

Lawrence feels pretty confident art third, though. Amoga Bhat brings great athleticism to the hot corner, and the coach partly credits the freshman’s basketball acumen. “They move their feet left and right, they get to the slow rollers and move their body well,” said Lawrence.

He knows from Will Civetta’s tenure at third, but experience is in place in the middle. Luke Fisch will be back at second, and when Storch isn’t on the mound, he’ll be at short.

In the outfield, experience has most of the expanse covered. Moreo will do double duty in center and Henrik Zhai will get more playing time in right this year.

At the bat, the early returns look better. “From what I see, we swing the bat a little bit,” he said.

On the other hand, he’s not getting ahead of himself. “You only know when you start playing,” conceded Lawrence.

As for goals, he keeps them contained, while paying attention to the past. Always doing well at sectionals time, he concluded, “We play throughout the season. We prepare, we find pieces. We moved them to where they can be successful and get better by the end of the season.”

Girls Lacrosse Team Puts Trust in the Process

Last year, John Jay ended their season by losing to Somers in the sectionals, and the exodus of seniors doesn’t leave many on this roster. “Amelia Inglis,” said Jess McDonough,” she’s our only senior.” But the coach sees her young team making do anyway.

She starts at goalie with Riley McCaffery and Ellie Inglis replacing Molly Gallagher. “They are coming with positive energy. They are listening to the coaches, they are responding and communicating,” said McDonough. “Both are taking ownership of the defense, so we’re very excited."

Up the field a bit, Kait Condon, Sarah Swiderski and Keely Tucker will lead the defense, and far from being in the rear, Marcy Marcela, Briar Cindrich, Sawyer Hall, Sophia Rajamani are the new blood. “We have three different defenses that we’re implementing,” said the coach. “So we’re eager to see which one works best.”

Further along, the kinetics come with experience. “We’re returning Fin Degl, Dylan Hill and May Viders,” said McDonough. “They are energetic buddies and don’t know if they have an off button.”

Clara Bazaar will join the fray and fit right in. “Working well together,” she clarified, “they are fast paced and move the ball.”

To the attackers, John Jay will largely keep it in the family. Coco and Amelia Inglis go side by side with Cait and Erin Brennan, but Ava Cerventas still won’t feel left out of the action. “They move the ball pretty fast,” boasted McDonough.

Behind the goal, McDonough still isn’t sure which “X” will mark the spot. “We’ll be moving players in and out, waiting to see what works best,” said McDonough.

Either way, it’s the nitty gritty that will hopefully predict how things play out, according to McDonough. “We are focusing the process goals over the outcome goals,” she concluded.

Preseason Baseball, Softball and Lacrosse Photos

John Jay Softball v Somers

John Jay Baseball v Byram

Tennis v Scarsdale