WPCNR PRESS BOX. June 9, 2008 UPDATED 12 NOON EDT: A news conference held in honor of Sandra Mastrangelo, the all-universe catcher for the White Plains Tigers softball team, announced Ms. Mastrangelo has been awarded a four year full scholarship to Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, where she will continue her  distinguished softball career.

 Her Coach for the last five years, Ted O'Donnell who has had some great players through his decade as White Plains softball coach, said, "I never had a harder working player than Sandra," and said, "It's not a mystery the importance Sanra has played in the team's success, and still found the time to place 14th in her class." He predicted her character is so exemplary that she will make an impact in some way on society in the future.

Ms. Mastrangelo is the only scholarship recipient honored with such a news conference this reporter can remember  as having prepared written remarks to thank the crowd of players, parents, and fans who packed the conference. Attributing her success to hard-work and dedication, she honored her coach, her various mentors at the school with the words, "Your belief in me, has made me believe in myself."

Sandra and her Mom, Jody

Her fellow captain, Jackie Flooks prepared a "Hall of Fame Plaque" for her speaking eloquently of what she has meant to the team. Dom Sputo, father of Lauren Sputo, praised Ms. Mastrangelo for helping to break his daughter in as pitcher, and mentoring her the first two seasons.

The " Sandra Mastrangelo Hall of Fame Plaque"-- Created by her Softball Team Co-Captain, Jackie Flooks.The Plaque Reads:167 Consecutive Varsity Games & Scrimmages Played; Over 1,170 consecutive innings caught; 4 League Championships; 3 Time Sectional Semi-Finalist; 2 Time Section Finalist;  5 Time All-League;  4 Times All County; 4 Times All-Sectional; 2 Times All-State; 2 Year Captain; Con Edison Award Winner; 9 Times a Scholar-Athlete,(5 in Softball, 3 in Field Hockey, once in Track; 2008 New York State Softball Officials Organization Section 1 Sportsmanship Award; The Best Number 7 in the World.

The Hudson Valley Chapter of the New York State Softball Officials Organization has recognized Ms. Mastrangelo as a special kind of ball player. Jack Lim, the former President of the association, and frequent varsity umpire will be presenting her with a  Section 1 Sportsmanship Award on behalf of the umpires.

Ms. Mastrangelo told WPCNR she had always had an affinity for Brown University, and hoped to study in the medical field there. She said the softball team has a new coaching staff, and the team is coming on, saying they see her as either an infield or catching possibility.

For the fans who frequent O'Donnell's Bluff where fastpitch is played in White Plains, it just won't be the same without Sandra behind the plate; the bazooka snap throws to first, her flying leaps to grab bloop pops, her ferocious defense of the plate, and her ability to call a game, calm down a pitcher and get that little something extra out of her. Like Frank Chance, "The Peerless Leader" of the old Chicago Cubs, Ms. Mastrangelo makes everyone she plays with better from her own example of  hustle, intelligence, and poise in a pinch.