Senior Madi Dinaso is a three sport standout at Ardsley. Closing her career with 12 of Ardsley’s 15 wins, the star pitcher dreams of playing softball in college, but not at the expense of what’s truly important.
I’ve been looking at division three schools in New England with very good academic programs because that’s what matters to me most, says the soccer, softball and basketball player.
As such, she gives mom and dad relatively equal weight in the success she's had but the finer aspects of pitching were learned with the ups and downs that only a bullpen catcher would know. “That
would be my dad,” she says of all the hours spent crouched in receiving.Mom had the bigger picture in mind, accumulating mileage and management skills as her little league coach. As for the competition now, she'll get you out with the screwball or sinker and considers herself - somewhat reluctantly –
“a pretty good hitter.”Batting cleanup, she has no reason to hesitate with a .600 bating average, and the 15-3 record aside, Ardsley accomplished a first in team history. They won their own tournament, drumming archrival Dobbs Ferry in the finals 22-11.
Otherwise, Coach Noreen Degnan keeps them on message by staying in constant contact. On the field, she has them loud and active and off it the inspirational text messages are always arriving. "She's a great motivator," says Madi.
All told, the team is expecting a big ending. "Our goal is to go as far as possible in the sectionals," she concludes.
Article originally appeared on Page 6 at : http://issuu.com/nysaver/docs/0611-west-ess-z2
