Husky Captain Rewrites Harrison Record Book

During an otherwise customary game at Port Chester High School last week, Harrison's Jessica Magnotta lined a 2-2 pitch into the outfield for a two-RBI single, as she has so many times before.

But this hit wasn't like any of the 115 others she has notched during her career at Harrison. The senior shortstop noticed loud, lingering, cheers coming from the Harrison side of the field. Only then did she realize she had passed Jessica Paris as the school's all-time career hits leader.

“When I was at bat I had no idea that, that a hit would break the record,” said Magnotta. “The game was stopped when the other team threw the ball in, then I knew right away that that hit was the record breaking hit. I heard everyone cheering and my family screaming because they knew that I broke the record.”

Harrison coach Dean Marino made it a point not to tell the senior she was closing in on a historic number so it wouldn't affect her performance. Magnotta says she didn’t know exactly where she was, but knew the record was within her grasp.

“I didn’t feel any pressure about breaking the record, but it was in the back of my head at every at-bat,” Magnotta said.

Before this season Marino had several questions about his young Harrison team, but he knew he could count on his senior shortstop to be the team's on-field leader. Halfway through the season she hasn't disappointed.

“I can’t say enough good about the kid,” said Marino. “She leads by example and she is always at practice, always early, and she is the last to leave. She never complains, she is a workaholic, and she has thrown her life into this softball for thing for the better part of ten years.”

The senior isn't done etching her name in the Harrison record book. On Tuesday Magnotta broke the record for runs scored in a career at Harrison with 72. She also owns the record for stolen bases with 39.

The captain gives credit to her teammates and coaches for the hits record, which she humbly refers to it as a “team accomplishment”. But she does still take time to acknowledge what she has done as an individual.

“Breaking this record is huge for me especially since it’s my senior year,” said the shortstop. “I leave the school with a big bang and since the season isn’t over yet I still have time to set the bar high for the record.”

Coach Marino has the record breaking ball and he intends to hold on to it until the season is over when he will present it to the shortstop.

“She is just a great kid,” he said. “She has been my shortstop for five years. The most important thing for high school shortstop is to make the routine plays and she makes every routine play, her fielding percentage has got to be about .980 over the five years.”

Next year Magnotta will stay local and attend Manhattanville College where she will continue to play softball and hopes to continue her on-field excellence with the Valiants. 

Best of luck and continued success to Jessica Magnotta, Harrison Patch’s athlete of the week.