Kennedy will build its 2012 season around four returning players and some key newcomers. 

Mansfield is looking at junior Amanda Lugo for third base. He calls her “a very solid player, a great hitter and fielder.” 

Senior captain Kerline Batista will play first and, the Knights hope, use her power to rack up some runs. 

Though she just picked up the game last year, sophomore Naomi Rodriguez has been “a quick learner,” her coach said. 

More than anyone, however, Mansfield pointed to pitcher Emily Astacio as the key to Kennedy’s success. 

“If she develops properly and the way I think she can, we will have good pitching,” he said. “If our pitching comes together, we could be contending for our division and have a nice run in the playoffs. 

3/21 Evander Childs 4 p.m.

3/23 Jane Addams 4 p.m.

3/26 Christopher Columbus 4 p.m.

3/28 Roosevelt Ed. Campus 4 p.m.

4/2 Grace Dodge 4 p.m.

4/4       Bronx Leadership 

Academy 4 p.m.

4/5 Wings Academy 4 p.m.

4/16 Mott Haven Ed. Campus 4 p.m.

4/20 Metropolitan High School 4 p.m.

4/25 Bathgate Education 

Complex 4 p.m.

4/27 Banana Kelly HS 4 p.m.

4/30 Evander Childs 4 p.m.

5/2 Christopher Columbus 4 p.m.

5/4 Roosevelt Ed. Campus 4 p.m.

5/7 Grace Dodge 4 p.m.

5/9 Bronx Leadership 

Academy 4 p.m.

Baseball

Bronx High School 

of Science Wolverines

Coach: Michael McGrath, third year

Last season’s record: 11-5

It is difficult to argue that Bronx Science had a bit of rollercoaster season in 2011. After compiling a strong regular season and adding a couple of playoff wins, the Wolverines were eliminated by John Bowne 7-6 after scoring six runs in the first two innings. 

“The baseball gods were just not looking down on us that day,” said Coach Michael McGrath. 

McGrath is just as even-keeled about graduating two of his primary players. Chinelo De Brady was tops for Science on the mound last season, at 6-1, while McGrath called departing third baseman Greg Barber, “very clutch with quiet leadership abilities.”

Despite the tough playoff loss and the departing players, McGrath is very optimistic about 2012. 

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