Softball Carries Winning Ways to Playoffs

Jaelyn Martinez winds up for a pitch. *Photo: Emily Impoco*

By AMALIA LEBOWITSCH

With a season record of 12-2, the softball team has plowed its way to the playoffs, placing second in the Brooklyn/Staten Island Division A.

Even before the official start to the PSAL season, the team was excelling in scrimmages.

Junior Alexandra Olash, the team’s catcher, said that an early scrimmage against Fort Hamilton in which the team won 5-3 was “a big win.” “I think it started the season off on a great foot as we could really see our team coming together to make great plays,” she said.

Junior Emily Impoco, who plays first base, also cited the game as one of her favorites, as she hit two home runs. She said, “Fort Hamilton was a team we’ve been demolished by for the last two seasons. Beating them was such a good feeling.”

The team went on a five game win streak to start the season, often beating opposing teams by 15 runs. There were some intense matchups still, like a narrow 12-11 victory over Port Richmond on April 18. Their biggest competitor has been Grand Street Campus, currently number one in the division and the only team to beat them this year.

The team's coach, Mr. Michael Giordano, said, “From the start of the season we knew that the two games vs Grand Street were going to be our toughest matches.”

The team is currently in the second round of the playoffs, having won a forfeit over the Bronx School of Law, Government, and Justice on May 24. The competition for the PSAL championship is high pressure, as every game is an elimination game. On May 30, the team faces The High School of American Studies at Lehman College.

Last year, the Hornets made it to the second round of the playoffs before losing to Susan Wagner, but they have high hopes for this year.

Mr. Giordano said, “Honestly, I think we can go all the way. We could certainly be in the final game and take it. It just really depends on a few factors, so we are going to continue getting better, working on any weaknesses or anything that we’re struggling with until then. But it’s one game at a time, and if our players are on their game, I don’t think there is anybody who can beat us.”

“We are a very tight knit group,” he added. “Our quality and experience and skills are among the best that I’ve been a part of in the last six years.”

The players believes in the importance of a healthy team dynamic.

Pitcher Jaelyn Martinez ‘24 said, “Our personalities work well together. So we are serious when we need to be but then we have a lot of fun at practice, which helps with the mix. We communicate with each other a lot, and I think that's important.”

Olash said, “We are a very close team, and everyone is always supportive and kind. The people I play with make the sport fun.”

For Impoco, who also plays on the school teams for basketball and bowling, softball is especially important. She said, “Softball was the first sport I played in high school, so I’m always excited to go back to it. I love the support I receive from my teammates and my coach.”

Mr. Giordano allows the team to make a lot of their own decisions and set their own path. He said, “I’ve told everyone to be a positive player, a role model, and to have a good balance between being competitive and just enjoying the experience.”

Martinez said, “He [Mr. Giordano] understands us. He asks for our opinions on a lot of things, and that helps a lot; it helps us to get our voices out.”

After the playoffs, the Hornets will still have one more very exciting game in which they will be playing against a team of Midwood staff in early June. Last year, the staff won, with about 20 teachers competing.

This year, Mr. Giordano thinks the young squad has what it takes to bring home the win. “With our team being more improved, and perhaps with me playing with them this year, I think it could make for a very good game,” he said.