THIELLS – Kayla McDermott pulled into the North Rockland High School annex parking lot Wednesday morning fresh off a workout at Body By Huebner in Stony Point — one of three sessions she attends throughout the week.
Those sessions are the reason why she’s sporting a tank top and gym shorts on this particular morning, and they’re also the reason why McDermott has transformed from a self-described “stick” into one of the top players in the state.
“I just felt more powerful,” said McDermott, this year’s Journal News Rockland softball player of the year. “The (pitching) speed, that’s when it started to rise.”
Most of the comments McDermott received were complimentary, but the“You look like a guy” caused her to be self-conscious when she started lifting a year ago. The Manhattan-bound hurler has since blocked out that negativity, much like how she ignored the chants and cheers surrounding her on the mound.
“I see the Olympians, they look gorgeous. (Olympic gold medalist pitcher) Jennie Finch, she looks amazing. I realized that it’s just different, you don’t see it in high school — girls working out,” McDermott said. “I think that people are starting to see athletes as more beautiful and strong, and you want to be able to look like you can handle yourself.”
Few have handled themselves better on the field than McDermott, who earned second-team all-state honors this season after posting a21-2 record with a1.28 ERAand 205 strikeouts.
With just one season of high school ball left, McDermott made a request to Red Raiders head coach Jackie DiNuzzo in the offseason: She wanted to hit. DiNuzzo, a North Rockland product herself, was happy to oblige, under one condition.
“She said, ‘That’s fine, just get an elbow guard,’ ” McDermott recalled.
“I really wanted to try and possibly hit in college, so I thought, ‘Well, I have to get it going in high school first,’ so I practiced the same amount as my pitching,” said McDermott, who still squeezes in one hitting session per week during the offseason, while pitching five times per week. “I just really wanted to show what I could do because I was never allowed to hit before, so I thought, my senior year, I’m just going to pour it on — offensively and defensively.”
In the first game of the season, it was McDermott who had the walk-off single. McDermott batted.349 with three home runs and 32 RBIwhile hitting in the middle of the Red Raiders’ high-powered lineup.
McDermott leaves North Rockland with a plethora of memories and accolades, but no section title.
McDermott admitted that it was tough to hear the DJ Khaled victory anthem, “All I Do Is Win” — the team’s go-to jam after each win— in the days after a loss to John Jay-East Fishkill in the title game, but that she also grew from the experience.
“I learned from that game, it helped me,” she said. “We all got over it, and we’re all fine now … hopefully.”
Twitter:@Zacchio_LoHud, @LoHudSoftball
The rest of the Journal News Rockland first-team all-star team includes:
P — Emily Turilli, Pearl River: The junior battled through a minor back issue to earn first-team all-state honors in Class A, compiling a 16-3 record with a 1.15 ERA and142strikeouts in 116 innings. Turilli carried a no-hitter into the final inning of the section final, eventually pitching all nine innings in the 2-1 win.
C —Bella Chiorazzi, North Rockland:One of the most complete athletes in the section, from offense todefense toleadership, Chiorazzi earned a first-team all-state nod in Class AA after hitting .585 with five home runs and 35 RBI. The 6-foot junior has already become a sought-after recruit for Division I programs.
1B— Jesse McCarthy, Pearl River:The junior burst onto the scene with a breakout offensive season that included a .506 batting average during the regular season and .538 average in the postseason. McCarthy was named seventh-team all-state in Class A.
2B — Caroline Alicandri, Pearl River: The left-handed slap hitter was a nightmare for opposing pitchers, hitting at a .500 clip for the seasonout of the leadoff spot for the Pirates. Alicandri was a key cog in one of the top infields in the state, earning third-team all-state honors.
3B— Victoria Alonso, North Rockland:Despite breaking her nose days before the season and being forced to wear a protective mask for the season, as well asmove from second base to the hot corner, the pint-sized junior leadoff hitter was dynamic for the Red Raiders this season in all areas.
SS— Deangie Jimenez, North Rockland:The proud owner of what many Rockland coaches called "the best hands" they've seen in decades, Jimenez anchored the Red Raiders' middle infield with her sensational defense. Jimenez will suit up for Monmouth next season.
OF— Julie Marsico, Pearl River: The senior rose to the occasion when it mattered most, hitting .538in the postseason for the Pirates in her final year. Marsico has already started taking classes at Florida State, although she will not play for the Seminoles next spring. Marsico and Alicandri leave having compiled an 84-15-1 record while on varsity together.
OF— Amanda Schweitzer, North Rockland: A rare 12-time varsity letterman, the senior outfielder ended her high school career with a third-team all-state selection after mashingseven home runs and 33 RBI while hitting at a .506 clip.Schweitzer leaves North Rockland as the program leader in hits (129), home runs (nine), RBI (78) anddoubles (32).
OF— Allie Wood, Suffern:While she split pitching duties with junior teammate Gabby Caccamo, the senior was a factor for the Mounties wherever head coach Melissa Luciano needed her.
UTIL— Alana Prosapio, Nanuet:The senior shortstop drove in 22 runs and scored 20 for the Golden Knights. Prosapio finished with a .354 batting average in her final season, with a .970 fielding percentage.
UTIL — Courtney Carbone, Nanuet: The Golden Knights' leadoff hitter scored a team-high 28 runs and drew a team-high 13 walks. The seniorposted a .993 fielding percentage at first base, committing just one error all season.
DP— Sara Herskowitz, Clarkstown South: Opposing pitchers had the luxury of pitching around the Binghamton-bound slugger after the Vikings were hit hard by graduation last season, but the senior catcher still hit .493 with eight home runs en route to fifth-team all-state honors.
Coach of the year— Chris Woolgar, Pearl River: Woolgar had to find a part-time replacement for Turilli for the second consecutive season, and his decision (Tara MacGregor) kept the Pirates afloat in the middle of the season.Hisknowledge of the rule book played a pivotal role in the section semifinaland final, helping the Pirates to victories in both for their third title in as many years under the Pearl River alum.
Second team
P—Gabby Caccamo, Suffern, Jr.
P—Kelly O'Brien, Albertus Magnus, Fr.
C—Megan Sneeden, Nyack,Sr.
1B —Gina Selvaggi, North Rockland, Sr.
2B —Alicia Bertolino, North Rockland, Sr.
3B— Jaclyn Vormittag, Nanuet, Sr.
SS—Meagan Woods, Pearl River, So.
OF—Celia Santini, North Rockland, Sr.
OF— CiaraSaxton, Nanuet, Fr.
OF—Brianna Turchiarelli, Clarkstown South, Sr.
UTIL —Oriana Castello, Nanuet, So.
UTIL—Emily Lancia, Suffern, Sr.
DP—Nicole Spiegelberg, Tappan Zee, Sr.
Honorable mentions: Taylor Adolff, Clarkstown North, Sr.;Corinne Berkery, Nanuet, Jr.;Kaitlyn Borruso, Tappan Zee, So.;Sarah Brauer, Clarkstown North, Sr.;Stephanie Cambrea, Tappan Zee, Sr.;Michaela Contreras, Nyack, Sr.;Kaitlyn Fudge, Clarkstown North, Fr.;Allie Schepis, Suffern, Sr.;Erika Witt, Suffern, So.
