By: Abby Kass ’27
As the year wraps up, so do TLS sports. Between varsity softball, varsity baseball, JV baseball, varsity tennis, and varsity track and field, the season was a success all around!
The girls’ varsity softball team had a great season, even making it to the playoffs. Sophomore Orli Zucker, a player on the team, told TLR, “This season was a really great season, even if it didn’t end the way we wanted it to. We made it to the playoffs, but one of our biggest successes was losing to Briarcliff by one run and then mercying them in 5 innings the next game.” But, Zucker states, “the biggest challenge was just making sure that we all had a good attitude during the games.”
Zucker ends by highlighting what a truly incredible season it was, not just because of the team’s performance, but also the atmosphere and morale this year. “In my opinion, this might have been the best season yet,” she says. “We won against some really good teams and held our own even when we lost. We also had lots of fun, which really made a difference.”
Next up to the plate, varsity baseball! The varsity boys’ baseball team had a terrific season! They went 2-10 in the regular season, losing twice to Tuckahoe. Junior Brady Schreiber, a pitcher on the team, mentions that “one of the biggest successes of this baseball season has been making it to the Section 1 finals and winning the first game in the best-of-three series against our division rivals Tuckahoe.”
He elaborates that the season posed a few challenges, such as the injuries that players faced and that they “lost key seniors from last season.” Still, he says that the team, including the younger members, have really stepped up and put the work in. “A group of us came in early for multiple months during the winter to hit for 45 minutes before school. Kids are going to the batting cages on weekends or taking grounders in their backyards. Everyone is just really motivated to put in the work.”
Sophomore Harris Silby, a member of the JV boys’ baseball team, similarly mentions how hard the team worked this season. “Although the JV baseball season did not end the way we had hoped, it was a great experience for everyone on the team,” Silby mentioned. “Every player improved throughout the season and was noticeably better by the end than they were at the beginning.”
Silby goes on to discuss the successes, as well as the challenges, of the season. “We also had some exciting moments, including an outstanding inside-the-park home run. One of the biggest challenges we faced was our smaller roster, which meant that many players had to switch positions throughout the season. While that was difficult at times, it allowed players to learn new positions and become more versatile. Overall, the season helped everyone grow as both players and teammates.”
Junior Ari Bellman, a member of the varsity boys’ tennis team, remarks that the team had a great season overall, with the doubles specifically doing an excellent job. He also commented that the camaraderie of the team was exemplary, and he was pleased to see it.
“This season, Leffell has been dominant on the tennis court, winning the league for the first time in 26 years,” Bellman said. “All of the guys on the team really love the game of tennis and are great teammates.”
Last, but definitely not least: track and field! Track and field has been working hard all season, as junior Yael Shmul and co-captain of the team explains. “We had multiple PRs and everyone really showed up for practice… we’ve gotten really good times this year.”
Similar to varsity baseball, the team had some new freshmen, which is promising for the future of the team. One thing that Shmul did note was demanding during the season was that “we didn’t have access to a track because the one at Woodlands that we normally run to was under construction.” Still, the team was able to persist and had splendid success at their sectional meet.
All in all, spring sports emerged once again as a fun and successful season; we can’t wait for next year! Go Lions!
