Harrison Softball Opens With Sectional-Title Hopes

HARRISON, N.Y. -- Jenna Webb has experienced the euphoria of winning not one, but two Section 1 Class A girls’ volleyball championships the previous two falls.

“It was the best feeling in the world,” said the Harrison senior.

Webb would like to have that same experience with her varsity softball teammates as Harrison opened the spring sports season with the first day of practice. Webb, in her fourth varsity softball season, returns along with classmates Ally Brabant, Alyx Scapperotti and Alijah Webb, as the quartet looks to lead the Huskies to their first Section 1 Class A softball title.

“I want us, especially the seniors, to experience what I have been able to experience the past two years,” said Webb, a two-time All-Section selection. “This year, in volleyball, was the greatest feeling ever.”

Webb was referring to the Huskies rallying from two sets down to overcome Ursuline in the Section 1 Class A volleyball final.

Harrison has established itself as one of the elite teams in Class A in the current millennium. The Huskies advanced to the Section 1 Class A final in 2009, but lost to Pearl River. The last two years, Hen Hud has eliminated Harrison from sectionals, including a 1-0 verdict in a 2010 Class A semifinal.

“Coming back in 2010, we pretty much had the same team so that was devastating,” Webb recalled. “Then last year, we led 2-0 in the fifth inning and lost. That was pretty upsetting.”

In Jenna Webb (center field), Brabant (second base), Scapegoat (right field) and Alijah Webb (first base), Harrison coach Dean Marino has four of Section 1’s top players at that respective position. They were joined by a promising group of returning underclassmen.

“Everyone was hustling, working hard, focused and was excited and wanted to be here,” said Jenna Webb, who recently committed to Springfield College, where she will be reunited with Ashley Marino, the softball team’s ace.

Jenna Webb said she found herself constantly looking at the clock during school, wanting it to move faster so practice could begin. The anticipation was heightened by the 70-plus-degree temperatures, which allowed the outfielders to work on fly balls with assistant coach Nat Acuti.

“We were so excited to come out and play,” Jenna Webb said. “Whenever Ally, Alyx and Alijah passed each other in the hall, we just smiled. We’ve always been inside the previous three years on the first day so going outside was like a breath of fresh air.”

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