by Sofia Evangelista
It’s that feeling you get before you step in between the lines, that rush, the grit and that adrenaline pumping through your veins as you listen to your best pump up song. The moments before a big “rivalry” game are ones an athlete thrive off of and use going into that big game. These feelings within yourself, your teammates, and coaches are what makes that rivalry game feel so competitive and what brings out the best in players, knowing that it is more than just a “regular game”.
Softball rivalries on the island are no different. They are everywhere, in high school, college, and even travel ball. These are what makes each season so exciting, as these rivalries fuel the pride and spirits that can be felt even by the fans in the stands. What is so great about rivalry games is that you know these games will be exhilarating, and more importantly that it is anyone’s game. From the moment of the first pitch to the last, there is no guaranteed outcome, instead who comes out to play with a little more fire under them and when the odds work a little more in their favor.
But how are rivalries on the island developed? What are the ingredients to make that good old fashioned softball rivalry? Below are some of long island’s college and high school coaches, players, and alumni giving their takes on what creates our beloved rivalries.
“To me a good rivalry is when there’s a tradition or history between the two teams. What makes rivalry games so exciting is the stake for something bigger than just a W in the win column. Whenever we would match up against LIU Post at NYIT, those games were for bragging rights or ownership of Northern Blvd. It made winning that much more important. Those were my favorite games. I always tried to approach a rivalry game like any other but easier said than done. I’d catch myself daydreaming about the game or visualizing my at bats in class before the game. Looking back, I probably got a little too hyped for rivalry games. I went to Farmingdale HS, so there’s no secret that our rivalry games were against Massapequa. There’s a long and rich tradition of rivalry between Farmingdale and Massapequa in all sports.”
– Kat Zabielski, a 2016 All-American graduate from NYIT who set school records of 20 home runs and 73 RBIs in a single season in 2016; 2012 Farmingdale High School Graduate
“A good rivalry is made when two teams constantly play in close games and battle one another to win. I think there is a sense of rivalry and respect that is created and these two characteristics are passed on from year to year. I think it starts with two teams constantly going back and forth between wins and losses. These constant close games where each team is fighting for the win creates the rivalry. I don’t feel much different than any other game. Instead of psyching myself out by thinking that this is a rival game I just look at it as any other game and go through my normal routine.”
–Krista King, current senior at Adelphi University, 2016 NE10 All-Conference First Team and Division II CCA Second Team All-East Region; 2014 Kellenberg High School Graduate
“A good rivalry exists when there is great competition between two schools that has developed over a sustained period of time. Teams that compete at a high level against one another and have tight battles. Usually the teams will have followers that see this match up in the same way the players do-an exciting game that features good talent and some suspense. I believe the rivalry develops over time. It has history in that these two teams have matched up consistently and have always had epic battles. Often it is because the teams are from the same conference, the same region or just because of their close proximity. The teams know each other well. I am always excited before every game but always more pumped when it is a rival. The players feed into that as well. I alway tell myself and the players to stay within themselves and to view it the same as any other opportunity we face. You can not let your emotions dictate the outcome. Play one play at a time.”
–Susan Cassidy-Lyke, 12th year as Molloy College Head Softball Coach and Director of Athletics, in 2017 led the Lions to a NCAA East Regional Championship and the program’s third National Championship appearance with a 37-18 record
“Playing a rivalry game now in college is a little different than how it was in high school. In college, there is a lot more at stake. We are fighting for a chance to make it to the conference tournament, win the conference tournament and become one step closer to the NCAA Women’s College World Series. But you still get those butterflies in your stomach knowing your about to play a huge game. While attending Clarke High School, I had the privilege to play for the Lady Rams for six years. Starting my career in the seventh grade, I got to experience a couple different rivalries. Now being a sophomore at Hofstra University, we have just one rival, James Madison University. Hofstra has been JMU’s rival for the last 16 years, since we joined the CAA. Since 2002, either Hofstra or JMU has won all but one CAA title, Hofstra 11, JMU 4. The Dukes took the CAA Championship title in 2017, and we are looking to take it back.”
–Sarah Cornell, current sophomore and pitcher at Hofstra University, 2017 NFCA All-Northeast Region First-Team selection with a 17-12 record and 3.28 ERA with 129 strikeouts for her freshman year and graduated Clarke High School in 2016, named Gatorade New York State and Long Island Player of the Year while finishing her high school career with 1,345 strikeouts
“Although as a coach I always preach that each game should be treated the same – the truth is that the athletes always bring a little more personal energy and passion to a rivalry game. The history and potential legacy involved in winning or losing that game often contributes to a greater overall enthusiasm and energy level when the game is played. As a coach I try to remind my players to remain process oriented and to play the game pitch by pitch so that the extra energy and perceived pressure does not cause them to perform erratically.”
–Ken Conrade, Kellenberg Varsity High School Coach- 23rd year as head coach, 5 NSCHSAA League Championships, 3 NY State Catholic League Championships, 6x’s NSCHSAA League Coach of the Year, 12-11 2017 season record
“A good rivalry is when two teams compete with each other in hard fought games year after year season after season. You are always a little more dialed in because usually in a rivalry you are very focused on your opponent because you are very familiar with them.”
–John McCaffrey, Deer Park Varsity High School Coach, 22-4 record and led his team to the Suffolk County Finals in 2017
“Emotions are always higher in those games, rivalries are good for motivation, and they are great for communities.”
–Bret Malone, Massapequa Varsity High School Coach, 12-6 record for 2017 season
“I believe a good rivalry starts with competitive parity. The element of not knowing who is going to come out on top is part of the hype. Geographical proximity is often a factor in the pride associated with the win(s) and a perceived “ownership” over an area. For example, Long Island. Often times athletes on each team know each other and have some type of history with competition, whether it be travel ball, high school ball, etc. Stories always factor into a good rivalry. Frequent meetings between teams also fuels a rivalry. A lot of us meet in season and then again in post-season. A post-season loss to a rival may spark a more intense match-up the following season. Most of the focus should be on us and what we need to do to feel prepared and confident entering into competition. Focusing too much on an opponent is often detrimental. A good team displays consistency in approach and preparation and shouldn’t detour from that.”
–Bree Nasti, eighth season as Adelphi University Head Softball Coach, Assistant Athletic Director. Nasti’s Panthers have won two Northeast-10 Championships (2013, 2017), have qualified for the NCAA Tournament in all five seasons, and won a pair of NCAA East Region titles
There’s no doubt that the rivalry is important to our sport and brings out the best in players, coaches, and fans. Every rivalry is different, depending on their location and history. There is a lot of preparation, dedication, and passion that is mixed in to create the unique recipe for each team’s rivalry. But nonetheless, a rivalry game is every game a player, coach, and fan mark their calendars for each season.
