Maiorani wins #500; Lady Cards swept on Senior Day
By Dan Bartemus
Last Updated:10:43 PM EST 4/22/08 Section: Sports
Achieving a career milestone such as leading a team to 500 victories says an awful lot about one's coaching abilities. The words "winner," "leader" and "strategist" come to mind.
But Len Maiorani, the head coach of the St. John Fisher College softball team, believes it signifies something completely different.
"I think it means that I'm old and I've been around a long time," he said.
Maiorani earned wins number 500 and 501 of his 19-year run in a series sweep of Empire 8 Conference foe Elmira College on April 12. While getting old often takes the fun out of some of life's pleasures, this was one he could celebrate and enjoy.
"It's a nice thing," he said. "We've brought in good kids and got them to work hard, and if you bring in good people you're going to win. The players helped make it special; they had a sign out there and gave me a card after the game, so that was neat."
The accomplishment couldn't have come on a better day as the sweep fell on Alumni Day.
Many of Maiorani's former players were on hand to see him reach this historic landmark.
"It was a big deal to us because he's worked so hard for it and deserved it," senior Sara Dresser said. "He has helped each and every one of us become a better player both mentally and physically. I have grown so much from his guidance and he's become like a second father to me."
Junior pitcher Amanda Shevchuk echoed Dresser's statements.
"(Maiorani) has always been our biggest fan, and will do everything in his power to fight for us," she said. "He loves his players and eats, breathes and lives for the game."
Considering his love for the game and his players is unwavering, should Fisher start planning the celebration of his 1,000th victory in, say, another 20 years?
"I really don't think about those things," Maiorani said. "I'm just going to continue going out every year, play the games and see what happens."
Fisher was swept by St. Lawrence University in a double header, 3-2 and 3-0, on April 20.
In the first game, Shevchuk gave up three runs, two of them earned, in the loss. Despite the best efforts of Shevchuk, the offense struggled to score runs against St. Lawrence starter Meg Goodemote. Samantha Vera scored both Cardinal runs, and also went 3-for-4 with an RBI.
Game two would be more of the same for Fisher, as St. Lawrence's Rachel Duffy pitched a four-hit complete game shutout. Senior Nicole Watkins accounted for three of Cardinals hits, while Dresser added the other.
"It was pretty frustrating," Maiorani said. "They had slow pitchers, but we just didn't hit."
The double header was Senior Day. Watkins, Dresser and Nicole Middleton were honored before the game.
"[The seniors] are unbelievable," Maiorani said. "Coming back from Arizona 1-9, a lot of teams would have packet it in, but they picked the whole team up.
But Len Maiorani, the head coach of the St. John Fisher College softball team, believes it signifies something completely different.
"I think it means that I'm old and I've been around a long time," he said.
Maiorani earned wins number 500 and 501 of his 19-year run in a series sweep of Empire 8 Conference foe Elmira College on April 12. While getting old often takes the fun out of some of life's pleasures, this was one he could celebrate and enjoy.
"It's a nice thing," he said. "We've brought in good kids and got them to work hard, and if you bring in good people you're going to win. The players helped make it special; they had a sign out there and gave me a card after the game, so that was neat."
The accomplishment couldn't have come on a better day as the sweep fell on Alumni Day.
Many of Maiorani's former players were on hand to see him reach this historic landmark.
"It was a big deal to us because he's worked so hard for it and deserved it," senior Sara Dresser said. "He has helped each and every one of us become a better player both mentally and physically. I have grown so much from his guidance and he's become like a second father to me."
Junior pitcher Amanda Shevchuk echoed Dresser's statements.
"(Maiorani) has always been our biggest fan, and will do everything in his power to fight for us," she said. "He loves his players and eats, breathes and lives for the game."
Considering his love for the game and his players is unwavering, should Fisher start planning the celebration of his 1,000th victory in, say, another 20 years?
"I really don't think about those things," Maiorani said. "I'm just going to continue going out every year, play the games and see what happens."
Fisher was swept by St. Lawrence University in a double header, 3-2 and 3-0, on April 20.
In the first game, Shevchuk gave up three runs, two of them earned, in the loss. Despite the best efforts of Shevchuk, the offense struggled to score runs against St. Lawrence starter Meg Goodemote. Samantha Vera scored both Cardinal runs, and also went 3-for-4 with an RBI.
Game two would be more of the same for Fisher, as St. Lawrence's Rachel Duffy pitched a four-hit complete game shutout. Senior Nicole Watkins accounted for three of Cardinals hits, while Dresser added the other.
"It was pretty frustrating," Maiorani said. "They had slow pitchers, but we just didn't hit."
The double header was Senior Day. Watkins, Dresser and Nicole Middleton were honored before the game.
"[The seniors] are unbelievable," Maiorani said. "Coming back from Arizona 1-9, a lot of teams would have packet it in, but they picked the whole team up.
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