Expectations high for Carey softball

Carey is competing among the best of the best on the softball diamond. Nassau Conference AA-I features perennial powerhouses Long Beach, the defending county champion, and East Meadow, and solid up-and-coming teams like Farmingdale and Massapequa. 

All of these teams are capable of knocking off one another on any given day. Carey and coach Anthony Turco hope to be the team crowned county champion come May. “It’s like a 15-round boxing match,” Turco said. “If you want to be the last team standing, you need to have all things, pitching, defense and hitting, going well at the same time.”

The Lady Seahawks (2-4 overall after falling to East Meadow last Saturday) are again be led by senior Patti Callahan. The two-time All-County selection is Carey’s top pitcher and hitter. Callahan has yielded just four runs over her first three starts this spring. She picked up her 500th  career strikeout in a win over Floral Park.

Next season will mark the first time in a decade that Turco will be filling out a lineup card without one of the three Callahan sisters. He’s high on the baby of the bunch. “Patti just hates to lose,” Turco said. “She’s not overpowering, and doesn’t blow batters away. She outsmarts hitters. She worked her to get herself in terrific shape for this last go around. I expect her to have a great season.”

Four-year starter Nicole Turato also returns. Turco likes to use a two-pitcher tandem, and is comfortable will Turato in the circle. Turato and Callahan alternate at third base, and sophomore Joanna Carillo will also see time at the hot corner.

Junior catcher Brenda Hardman, the backup a season ago, has looked solid behind the plate for Carey. Both pitchers are comfortable with their new backstop, Turco said.

On the infield, the Lady Seahawks have a solid defender at first in junior Bianca Iaquinta. The middle of the diamond features senior Kerry Gilroy at second and Brianne Catalano at short. Catalano, a five-year varsity performer, is the catalyst at the top of the order for Carey. Turco likes the synergy between his middle infielders.

Cleanup hitter Jessica Doria starts in left field. The junior is off to a terrific start at the plate. Junior center fielder Melissa Deleon has lightning speed, and, along with Catalano, should wreak havoc at the top of the order. Senior Chrissy Talbot and sophomore Marcella Castellano will both see time in right field. 

Carey will also get contributions from Courtney Norell, Gianna Roselli, Shannon Darcy, Gabby D’Amato, and Nicole Sorrentino.

Turco is optimistic. “Every game is tough, it’s a battle,” he said. “These girls are up for the challenge, and want a county title. We haven’t hit on all cylinders yet, but it’s a long season. The key is getting all things going at once.”

The Lady Seahawks host Plainview-JFK on Friday at 4:30 p.m.