Senator Martins Honors Eastern Region Champs from NHP with Pizza Party

Senator Jack M. Martins congratulated the New Hyde Park All-Stars girls softball team, the first ever to reach the Little League World Series, with a pizza party at Gino in New Hyde Park. The girls became the Eastern Region champions and then went on to Portland, Oregon to compete against the best teams in the world. After a 2-0 start with impressive wins over Asia Pacific and Canada, New Hyde Park finished fifth out of 10 teams.

“In reality, you finished fifth out of thousands of teams. You proved you are among the best teams in the world,” Senator Martins told the girls at the pizza party. “I couldn’t be prouder. This is a summer you will remember for the rest of your lives. If you were to reunite years later, you will be talking about the memories you made this summer. I want to congratulate the players, coaches, parents and siblings for what has been a remarkable season.”

Joining Senator Martins were Nassau County Legislator Richard Nicolello of New Hyde Park and Village of New Hyde Park Trustee Don Barbieri. Senator Martins treated the girls to pizza and Gino, which is located 1113 Jericho Turnpike, provided Italian ices.

Senator Martins and Legislator Nicolello provide each of the girls and their coaches citations and proclamations to commemorate their accomplishments. Senator Martins highlighted each player with the following notes:

The New Hyde Park All-Stars girls softball team captured the Eastern Region Championship by defeating Robbinsville (NJ) 4-1 to advance to the Little League World Series in Portland, Oregon.

They became the first team from Long Island since 1993 to advance to the World Series for girls softball. The team, comprised of the top 11 players in the 11-12-year-old age group of the New Hyde Park Little League, showed resiliency, commitment and camaraderie in becoming the greatest softball team ever from New Hyde Park. They would not have been able to accomplish what they did had it not been for the leadership of Manager Tom Donnelly and coaches Tom Grimshaw and Tom Fitzpatrick as well as league president Tom Pellegrino.

· Defeated Floral Park For the District 29 title.

· Defeated Staten Island for the Section 5 crown.

· Beat Half Hollow Hills to become New York State champions.

· Defeated Robbinsville 4-1 in the Eastern Region Championship to advance to the World Series for the first time.

· In their first game of the Little League World Series, New Hyde Park defeated Asia Pacific 11-4.

· They then defeated the team from Canada 16-0 showing they belonged with the best teams in the world.

· After dropping their next two games, the team ended the tournament on a high note, defeating Latin American 7-6. They finished fifth out of 10 teams in the World Series.

For these 11 girls, it was a summer to remember. They will go on in life to achieve other milestones and accomplishments. But through their run to get to the World Series and their trip to Portland to compete against the best in the world, they will forever be linked together as champions.

Kayla Elizabeth Fitzpatrick

Every great team has a great leadoff hit. As the team’s leadoff hitter, Kayla led the team in runs scored with 23 and even pitched a complete game in the District 29 Championship Game against Floral Park.

Jennifer Catherine Hickey

Jenny was nothing less than dominate on the mound for New Hyde Park. Her most memorable outing came against Delaware in the Eastern Region Tournament when she pitched a perfect game. Prior to that, she pitched a great game against Half Hollow Hills as New Hyde Park won the state championship.

Melissa Rae Ward

Melissa was also one of the anchors of the pitching staff. She pitched a tremendous game against Robbinsville, New Jersey, earning the win that sent New Hyde Park to the World Series. Melissa also pitched a complete game in the Section 5 Championship game against Staten Island. If that weren’t enough, Melissa also finished second on the team in batting average, runs scored and extra base hits.

Ann Marie Grimshaw

New Hyde Park’s recipe for success including a tremendous offense. Ann was at the center of it all, leading the team with close to a .600 battering average and 24 RBI. As New Hyde Park’s clean-up hitter, Ann came up with big hits in both the New York State and Section 5 Championship games. As the team’s catcher, she also stopped the opposition’s running game and contributed to the success of the pitching staff.

Margaret Anne Donnelly

Maggie proved to be the perfect number five hitter in the New Hyde Park lineup. Along with Ann Grimshaw, Maggie led the team in RBI in the Eastern Region and World Series tournaments. Her 23 RBI’s were second on the team. Nobody will ever forget her homerun in the first game of the New York State tournament.

Gabrielle Nicole Morales

Gabby batted .343 overall with 13 RBI’s. She epitomized the total team effort it took to get New Hyde Park to the World Series, Her great catch in the semi-final win over Connecticut in the East Region tournament showed her versatility as a player.

Hannah Paige Arkin

In order to get to the World Series, New Hyde Park had to win the Eastern Region Tournament. Hannah played her best softball in that tournament, leading the team with a .640 average. She was always there to provide a spark on the bases, leading the team with 16 stolen bases.

Sophia Nancy Jacoby

Sophia set the tone for New Hyde Park in the District 29 championship by hitting a big homerun against Floral Park. Sophia’s play at second place provided New Hyde Park with strong defense up the middle, which proved to be critical in the team’s success.

Emma Nidermaier

New Hyde Park ended its World Series appearance on a high note with a 7-6 victory over Mexico thanks to Emma’s running catch in right centerfield with runners on base. She then ended the play by doubling off the runner at first base. She also provided a spark on the bases, finishing with 10 stolen bases and 17 runs scored.

Nicole Kuzler

Nicole proved her versatility in the field by playing wherever the team needed her. At the plate, she was also a force to be reckon with, hitting .375 overall. Her most memorable moments included hitting a triple against Franklin Square in the District Tournament and coming up with a big hit in the Section 5 Championship Game.

Katie Marie Tubridy

Katie is known for having the biggest smile on the team. Katie played great defense in left field and was always on base. Her RBI double against eventual World Series Champion Southwest showed that she is among the nation’s best.

Manager Tom Donnelly and Coaches Tom Grimshaw and Tom Fitzpatrick

I also want to recognize Team Manager Tom Donnelly and his coaches Tom Grimshaw and Tom Fitzpatrick. Every great team has great leadership behind it. Tom Donnelly, Tom Grimshaw and Tom Fitzpatrick not only did an outstanding job bringing out the talent the girls had, but they also taught them values of sportsmanship, togetherness and resiliency.