Newsday Athlete of the Week is Massapequa's Marissa Scognamiglio

Coach Christina Castellani knows that in order to win, the Massapequa softball team must rely on their team effort, saying, "There is a different hero in every game."

This time, it was Marissa Scognamiglio who stepped up to the plate.

However, she had one obstacle to overcome.

"Marissa's biggest lesson this year was to be mentally tough and being the player, we know she can be," Castellani said. "As she got more playing time, she definitely increased her confidence and started to believe in herself,"

At the beginning of the season, Scognamiglio was nervous because she felt the pressure, but Castellani and her coaching staff instilled confidence in her to get where she is now.

"We tried to change her mentality at the plate because she would get nervous," Castellani said. "We had that conversation with her saying 'we believe in her.' She just needed to find it within herself."

Mission accomplished.

Last Friday, Scognamiglio hit a grand slam in a 5-3 victory over Shenendeowa (Section II) in the state Class AAA semifinals at Greenlight Networks Grand Slam Park in Binghamton to get Massapequa to its first state championship game in program history (it lost to Section VI's Lancaster, 4-2, the final), making the junior Newsday Athlete of the Week.

"My motive was to be aggressive at bat," Scognamiglio said. "In this game, I just wanted to have fun with it. I have never been on a softball team like the one this year. We all love each other, which played a big part in our season."

"The sky is the limit for her," Castellani said. "Having the hit she had in the state semifinals was a big confidence booster and mentally put her in the right spot of whatever trumps her way."

Scognamiglio fell in love with softball when she started playing with her siblings, Kaitlyn and Joseph, making the sport she plays even more special.

"I'm close to both my brother and sister. I wouldn't be the person I am today without them," Scognamiglio said. "The three of us always look to hang out with each other and go to the field."

When she is not playing softball, Scognamiglio is part of the Best Buddies Club, where they meet with kids with special needs and do activities such as arts and crafts or play various sports.

"I feel better that they have new friends and have people they can socialize with," Scognamilglio said. "It definitely taught me to be more patient and show more compassion toward other people."

Next season, Scognamilglio is excited to play softball and win it all with her teammates, who she calls her closest friends.

"It's unfortunate that the seniors are going to be leaving. We were all sad on the bus ride home," Scognamilglio said. "This season has given me a lot of sisters. I'm really excited for next year. We are already planning a Thanksgiving."