Wantagh Softball Powered by Four College-Bound Seniors

After helping to achieve a historic Wantagh softball season in 2012, four Warrior seniors are focused on ending their high school careers on a positive note in 2013 before continuing the sport they love on the collegiate level next year.

Wantagh’s four seniors who will soon be suiting up for college softball teams include Christie Sinacori (Hofstra), Christine Kiefer (University of Scranton), Kelly Van O’Linda (Franklin & Marshall) and Taylor Corwin (Mercy College). The foursome led Wantagh to a 12-5 season as juniors and the program’s first playoff win.

“The girls that are moving on to their next chapter are a huge part of Wantagh's success,” said Wantagh softball head coach Christine Moran, who was a standout second baseman at Hofstra from 1999-2002. “They have built this program to what it has become and while we are excited for them and know they are bound for greatness, we will suffer a great loss without them.”

Sinacori has been attending Hofstra games since she was a youngster and has always envisioned playing for the nearby program, which has made the NCAA Tournament eight times in 11 years and last season fell just one win shy of reaching the College World Series. 

“It’s close to the home and is just the ideal place that really fits me,” said Sinacori, who plays both third base and catcher. “It’s a very good school academic wise and athletic wise.”

Wantagh’s four seniors, who have been playing softball together since fifth grade, are excited for what college brings but for now are focused on stretching their final high school season deep into spring. Wantagh, which moved up to Conference A-1 this season, is 1-1 in league play early on with several key games approaching.

“We’re like a family,” said Van O’Linda, who is also valedictorian for Wantagh’s Class of 2013. “I love playing with my best friends everyday.”

“We’ve been together for so many years and now we’re at the top of our game and hopefully this year we just go out with a bang,” Sinacori said. “We’re all sisters.”