PORT BYRON - It is a symbiotic relationship between the pitcher and the catcher on the softball field; they both rely on each other for mutual success.

"A pitcher is only as good as their catcher," Port Byron's Beth Cereo said. "And Stacy brings out the best in me. We can communicate with out words; it is like we can read each other's minds. She really compliments me."

"We get along very well," Stacy Schreiner said. "The relationship is very important. We know what each other is thinking. I know what she is going to throw; it is easy to work together. She makes it easy to do my job. I don't have to accommodate her. It is easy to work together."

The two have forged their friendship by playing together in the offseason and in summer leagues in Jordan-Elbridge.

"We're dedicated," Cereo said. "We play in the summer leagues together all of the time it is fun. We're good friends we can talk about anything and that helps us see eye to eye."

Cereo started on varsity when she was in eighth grade.

"Her mechanics are really good," said Panthers' coach Bill DeAngelis. "She is remarkable and has really come along way. She is a good pitcher, one of the best in the league."

Cereo has over 100 strikeouts in 81 innings this season with over 400 in her career.

She said that this is the product of a lifelong love of the game.

"I started in Cinderella league," Cereo said. "My dad always played baseball so that got me into it and I found it interesting and just kept going form there."

From there Cereo progressed to softball when she was 10.

She said while her pitching abilities are a blessing, she is still determined to push herself.

"People are always working," Cereo said. "All of the time people are working to be better players, so even though it comes naturally it is very hard to get where I am now with out working at it."

Cereo said she spends much of her time in the offseason working with pitching SUNY Morrisville coach Robin Penower to be ready for the spring.

"You learn in the offseason and then you try to use what you've learned when the season began," Cereo said. "Coach Penower has shown me a lot about thinking about the ball mentally and using my body to get it where I want it to go."

All of Cereo's work has provided her with a few new pitches and added a few more miles per hour to her fastball.

"Every season I've progressed," Cereo said. "If you work hard you can only get better. I've added about five miles per hour to my fastball. I can throw a drop-curve ball, a change up. I have more command of the ball; command is what really helps."

Schreiner said from the time she started playing Little League with the boys, she knew she wanted to be behind the plate.

"I always thought it was cool," Schreiner said. "So I tried out and I really liked it. I like how involved it is and as catcher you are always involved in every play."

Schreiner's abilities have earned her teammates' respect .

"Stacy is phenomenal," DeAngelis said. "She is quiet and soft-spoken, but she does a really good job. She handles the ball well; she knows where the base runners are. She handles everything well."

Schreiner said she tries to be a role model for the younger player on the team.

"There is some good young talent on the team," Schreiner said. "There are some fantastic players that are really outstanding, I'm really pleased. So I try to keep everyone focused on the task at hand."

Schreiner had been batting near .500 all season until a recent slump.

"I have to look past all of that and stay focused," Schreiner said. "I'd like to bring my average back up it brings confidence and with confidence you feel more comfortable at the plate."

DeAngelis said Schreiner has what it takes to get back on track.

"She is very strong," DeAngelis said. "She has really good skills all around. When she gets up to bat she hits the ball hard."

Cereo has also had a strong season at the plate batting around .320 with three triples.

"I've been pretty consistent," Cereo said. "I like to hit and help myself out and get a run."

Port Byron has earned a spot in sectionals for the second straight year; something the duo are proud to be a part of.

"Getting to sectionals again does stand out," Cereo said. "This year we played the league champs, Pulaski and we were their only loss of the season, it was close and really competitive. I think we showed that we can play just as hard as they can and that we can compete and possibly win a few games."

Schreiner said the Panthers are strong going into sectionals.

"I think at sectionals we will do well," Schreiner said. "It is a wonderful team. We lost our first game last year. But I know we will do everything we can and we will play our best."