Scholars’ Academy Seawolves Win Softball Championship

By Big Charlie

It’s a pretty big deal to be named the best in the city—and the Scholars’ Academy Seawolves Varsity Girls’ Softball team can say just that. On Sunday, June 9, the Scholars’ Academy Seawolves finished the season in dramatic fashion defeating the Tottenville Pirates  2 – 0, winning the NYC PSAL Girls’ 3A Softball Championship at Columbia University’s Baker Athletic Complex in Manhattan.

Once again, the stellar senior duo of Pitcher Alexa Nolan and Catcher Lauren Dorazio provided the steady leadership to fend off a solid Tottenville team that has won the last three City Championships.

With solid team defense and several timely strikeouts by Nolan, the ever resilient Seawolves squad were able to get out of several jams. First inning fireworks saw a perfect relay play by the Seawolves defense after a gapper to right center field appeared to most likely score the first run of the game, however the relay of Center Field Josephine Polisi to Nolan, who threw a strike to Catcher Dorazio, who applied the tag, cut down the Tottenville runner at the plate.

Continued solid pitching and defense by both teams lead to a scoreless game entering the top of the 7th. In the top of the 7th, Charlotte Theis singled to Center and then Lauren Dorazio laced a shot down the left field line scoring Theis from first. Kiara Frias singled, driving in Dorazio for a two-zip Seawolves lead going into the bottom of the 7th. A tense bottom of the 7th once again saw timely defensive plays in the infield and clutch pitching by Nolan. With two outs and a runner on base, Charlotte Theis fielded a grounder at third base and fired a strike to Ginny McConnell at first base, shutting the door on the Tottenville Pirates and preserving the Scholars’ Academy win and the City Championship.

It was a fantastic day with players, coaches, parents and fans celebrating a most impressive 2024 Seawolves season. The championship trophy has returned to The Scholars’ Academy for the first time since 2019. Additionally, Alexa Nolan was named the winner of the prestigious PSAL Wingate Award and MVP for the 2024 Season.

As student advisor, Ms. Newman said, “This is a big deal as our tiny school was hand-selected to play in the most competitive division in PSAL Sports. We are a school of only 604 students beating out schools with over 4,000 kids!”

On Monday, June 10, Principal Michele Smyth proudly made an announcement to the school over the loudspeaker, presenting the new champions. “There could not be a more deserving group than these exceptional young women who exude kindness, determination, respect and resilience. That, paired with the bond they’ve built, made for a winning combination that could not be matched by any team in all of New York City.”

The players proudly walked the trophy through the hallways of Scholars’ Academy, accompanied by the Drum Team, with students and teachers at the sidelines applauding the team, as they entered the gym for a pep rally to hang their championship banner.

This championship win came after a semi-final showdown against Staten Island’s Curtis High School at Baker Athletic Complex on Tuesday, June 4. It was a nailbiter as Curtis held a 3-1 lead against Scholars’ into the fourth inning, but Scholars’ tied it up, and scored the game-winning run in the ninth inning, leading to a much-deserved celebration.

The Seawolves are coached by Jessica Henck, Rebecca Henck – Webb and Steve Molino. Thank you for your time and dedication to the team. A special thanks to Matt Piccione, who year after year looks out for the Seawolves, providing a beautifully manicured field at Fort Tilden for all Seawolves practices and home games.

Congrats to the Seawolves’ “Magnificent Seven” who make up the 2024 graduating seniors. We wish Aliana Accardo, Charlotte Boyle, Lauren Dorazio, Virginia McConnell, Alexa Nolan, Sofia Pesso and Charlotte Theis all the best moving on to begin a new chapter in their lives. Good luck girls! We will miss you, your parents and families dearly. The special bond created over the years, on and off the field will certainly be cherished forever.

Go Seawolves! See you in 2025!