Once the Dannas were settled in Orchard Park after relocating from Texas, one of the first orders of business was to become acclimated with the high school boys lacrosse team. In doing so, Nicole Danna emailed Quakers coach Larry Catalano.
She did it to introduce herself and family, but, chiefly, she was curious about summer programs for her sons Zach and Luke. Catalano was ecstatic that she reached out, and placed both boys on the varsity summer team.
Now, Catalano and the area have been able to grasp that junior Luke and freshman Zach are the real deal. Luke is a Penn State commit, and Zach is a starter for Orchard Park. The team is 5-3 and ranked No. 1 in WNY.
“They came in super respectful and super polite,” Catalano said. “They just showed up and started playing, and in a very short period of time, everyone knew how good they are, and the guys on the team thought it was great. These two guys showed up and are great kids. They really elevated our level of play.”
People are also reading…
Luke is third in Section VI in points (50), fourth in assists (22) and sixth in goals (27). Zach is ninth in ground balls (42), second in caused turnovers (21) and fourth in interceptions (two). A program is only as good as its junior programs, but having transplants can be a needle mover.
Orchard Park is the reigning Section VI Class B champion, and has a history of winning. Since 1991, the Quakers have won 27 sectional championships. There is a generational standard of winning, and that has been accepted by the players because they want to continue what has been established. Zach was named captain alongside senior Mike Pietrantoni (11 points, eight goals, three assists).
“Being named a captain my first year was meaningful, just knowing the success of this program,” Luke said. “Me and Mike have worked together to establish an identity of this team, and we know what the expectation is and we just have to meet and exceed them.”
The expectation is to win a sectional title. The challenge is getting over the hump against Section V. Knowing how difficult it is to win the Far West Regional, Orchard Park played three straight games versus a Section V opponent to use as a barometer for where they stand. The Quakers faced Pittsford, Fairport and Canandaigua Academy, and lost all three games by an average of 4.7 goals.
Despite the defeats, Orchard Park views them as opportunities to learn and, hopefully, go on a deep playoff run. The Quakers have one more regular-season game against a Section V opponent, Aquinas Institute, on Apr. 30.
“We played a couple of Rochester teams, and it was good competition to get it earlier in the season,” Pietrantoni said. “I think it was good for our team to get some flow going to work together as we go. We just need to work on the little things, and I’m glad we got to it early.”
As Orchard Park works to correct its mistakes and prevent minute issues from becoming bigger, Catalano has been taking in the season and journey with this group of players. There are only six seniors on the team, and he believes this current group will continue the Quakers’ tradition.
“It’s a really nice team, and we have some really great kids,” Catalano said. “If you look at our roster, we’re really young. Some use that as a crutch, but, to me, if you weren’t the best kid, you wouldn’t be here. I don’t care if you’re 15 or 16, let’s play together. I think the future is bright for us.”
Gorman’s milestone
Nardin senior softball player Emily Gorman recorded her 100th career hit on Apr. 15 against Williamsville East. The following day, she recorded her 100th career RBI against Mount Mercy. In those two games, Gorman had seven hits, two doubles, a triple and a home run.
“After my freshman year was over, I looked at my stats and set the career goal of 100 hits, 100 RBIs and 100 runs scored (currently at 86) by the end of my senior season. I realized that being productive offensively is one of the ways that I can best contribute to my team’s success,” Gorman said. “With only 20 or so games a season, I also realized I would have to focus and train year-round to achieve this. Throughout my years at Nardin, I have been blessed to have so many talented players ahead of me in the lineup with high on base percentages that helped me reach my RBI goal.”
Nardin is 5-1 this season. So far, Gorman has 11 hits, seven runs, six RBIs, three doubles, a triple and a home run. It is a short sample size for the three-time All-Catholic selection, but last season she batted .515 with 35 RBIs, 34 hits, 32 runs, 11 doubles, four triples and four home runs. She is a reigning Class A all-state third-team selection and a University at Buffalo signee.
“I have loved playing for Nardin these past four years, and am excited about this last senior season before graduation,” Gorman said. “We are off to a great start, but there is a lot of softball to be played and a lot of work to be done. I am looking forward to making memories with my team, working hard, playing some great ball and competing for the Monsignor Martin title and, hopefully, bring the state championship home to Nardin.”
Softball state rankings
The New York State Sportswriters and Coaches Organization for Girls Sports released its Week One softball rankings.
Reigning Class AA state champion Clarence (2-1) is ranked No. 2. The Red Devils returned notable players from last year’s team – senior pitcher Ella Harrison, senior pitcher/first baseman Ella Zobel, senior centerfielder Samantha Pusloskie, and junior second baseman Lauren Holle. Harrison is the reigning Class AA Player of the Year and is a Rutgers signee.
Frontier (5-0) is eighth in the rankings and is led by senior pitcher Jillian Locher, an all-state third-team selection a season ago, and a Hofstra signee. The Falcons faced Clarence a season ago in the Section VI Class AA final. Frontier, like Clarence, has returned All-ECIC I talents, with senior outfielder Paris Izzo and senior pitcher Cassidy Weller.
Nardin is the lone Western New York team in the top five in the Class A rankings and are led by Tennessee signee Erin Nuwer and Gorman. Williamsville South (4-1) is ranked eighth. After a season with multiple players named to All-ECIC II, second baseman Olivia Sackel is the lone returner. Despite the loss of talent, it has been rinse and repeat for the Billies with players stepping up.
Fredonia (5-0) and Depew (5-1), are ranked fifth and sixth, respectively in Class B. Both teams have a reigning All-WNY first-team selection on their team in St. Bonaventure signee Jordan Lucas (Fredonia) and Stony Brook signee Mia Vannelli (Depew). In Class C, St. Mary’s of Lancaster is No. 1, with D’Youville commit and senior Alexandra Packard on the mound. Gowanda (8-0), the reigning state champion, is second and has a bright spot on its team in sophomore pitcher Addison Kota.
In Class D, Forestville (2-2) is ranked No. 11.