WPCNR View from the Upper Deck. April 13, 2008: White Plains Varsity Softball Coach Ted O'Donnell took a busman's holiday Friday to see one of his former players, Kelly O'Neil, a first sacker for Holy Cross, play against Army at West Point. Here is his report on Ms. O'Neill's afternoon:

Once Upon a Time on O'Donnell's Bluff: On  the sunsplashed diamond, Kelly O'Neil held down first for the great Tiger "Three-Peat" softball teams of the early 2000s. Five years ago, this week, it is April 16, 2003:  Kelly O'Neil crouches at first, Kim Wood at third, as Tara Pollard pitches a no-hit, no run perfect game at Yorktown.  Yorktown sent 21 batters up and 21 went down.  Photo by WPCNR Sports

Kelly O'Neil Batting for the Holy Cross Crusaders

Kelly O'Neil, Holy Cross First Sacker

I went to West Point today to watch Holy Cross play Army in a Patriot League doubleheader. Kelly  O'Neil (WPHS '04, captain 2-time Journal News 1st Team All-County All-Star) is in her senior year at Holy Cross and a 2 year captain.

She is the starting 1st baseman and bats 4th in the order. Army and Holy Cross split with Army taking the 1st game 4-2 and HC the 2nd 11-4. Kelly went 2 for 3 in the 1st game with a single and a stand-up double that hit the top of the fence in CF (210ft) and bounced back into play.

In the 2nd game, she went 3 for 3 with a walk and HBP. She had another double and also whacked a tremendous 2-run HR that bounced off the light pole in LF. It broke a 4-4 tie giving HC the lead for good. It also tied Kelly for the HC career record for home runs. The game ended with Kelly making a great catch on a line drive by Army's clean-up hitter. Kelly is well and really enjoying her final season. She has been a starter since freshman year. Nice job Kelly O.

It should be noted that Coach O'Donnell's '2008 White Plains Softball Team, edged Yonkers 1-0 Friday and are 2-1 on the new season. Lauren Sputo pitched the shutout and fanned 10. The 2008 Tigers play North Rockland Tuesday afternoon at White Plains at 4:30.