Defense is Dolphinsý First Priority

New Coach Calvin Parker Looks to Turn Palisades Softball Program Around

Fundamentals are vital to the success of any team. And when it comes to a sport like softball, where one play can mean the difference between winning and losing, defense is particularly important. ”First-year Palisades High varsity coach Calvin Parker is optimistic about his Dolphins because they have shown so far that their strength is their defense’the aspect of the game he stresses most. ”’I’m really impressed with how we’ve started,’ said Parker, who coached the junior varsity last season. ‘I see major improvement over last year and we’ve got a lot of returning players with varsity experience. I expect us to go no less than .500 overall and maybe even make the upper division playoffs.’ ”Palisades has not qualified for the City’s championship (upper division) playoffs since 1998 and without a genuine infield to practice on, it is difficult for the Dolphins to compete with the City’s upper echelon teams. But Parker’s enthusiasm and lots of veteran leadership may be enough to reverse the team’s losing trend. ”’Westchester and Venice are the teams to beat in the Western League, definitely,’ Parker said. ‘Realistically, it’s hard to see us beating them right now. But I expect us to dominate everyone else and finish third. That should give us a shot at the City playoffs or at the very least a high seed in the lower [Invitational] bracket.’ ”Palisades will go as far as the arms of pitchers Rachel Abraham (senior) and Krystal Mitchell (sophomore) can take them. ‘Rachel is probably our No. 1 starter but I’ll alternate her and Krystal every game,’ Parker said. ‘We also have Paris Bellinger who can pitch and play outfield.’ ”When she’s not pitching, Mitchell will play short stop and when Mitchell is in the pitcher’s circle, senior Edith Quintero will play short stop. Freshman Stephanie Torres is the starter at third base, senior Katie Webber and junior Molly Burke will split time at first base, senior Jocelyn Mecham is at second (backed up by senior Adela Gonzalez) and junior Jennifer Wong is the catcher. ”The Dolphins’ outfield may be the most athletic in the league. ‘Joy Barnett has made some acrobatic catches in left field,’ Parker said. ‘She’s not letting anything fall out there.’ Michelle Castro is in right field, backed by Susanna Gaudado, and Dominique Neal plays center field, backed by Vanessa Escalana. ”After opening with a 9-2 loss to Washington, Palisades played Garfield in the Lincoln Tournament and lost 17-3. In the second round, however, Pali turned the tables on Washington with a 6-0 shut out. Pali closed out the tournament with an 11-3 loss to host Lincoln, a 9-2 loss to Cleveland and a 5-0 loss to Narbonne. Still, Parker saw a silver lining. ”The Dolphins’ hitting had been inconsistent until Tuesday when Pali routed Valley Alternative 13-0. Every player in the lineup got at least one hit’a big confidence booster heading into league play. ‘Stephanie [Torres] has made a huge impact at the plate,’ Parker said. ‘She can hit it to the scoreboard. Right now, though, we’re practicing on making contact and being aggressive.’