Lady Jets bring thunder with bats

East Meadow outscored its first five softball opponents by a combined score of 27-0, and things didn’t get much better for the next four teams to take the field against the Lady Jets.

After beating up on Syosset last Friday, East Meadow ran its record to 9-0 and continued to dominate at the plate and in front of it. “We’ve been hitting,” coach Cindy McCarthy said after the 13-0 win. “We have very strong bats from one through nine [in the lineup].”

Senior shortstop Hillary Hoffman helped power the offense with a home run, while junior Samantha Miller, the ninth-place hitter in the order, went 3-for-3 with three runs scored and a pair of runs batted in against the Lady Braves.

Senior Lindsay McKillop has had a major hand in every victory either in the circle as the ace of the pitching staff or at the plate as the team’s No. 3 hitter. The All-Conference returnee pitched in each of the first six games without allowing a run and after hitting .480 last season has belted at least one hit in every game. “She’s not a strikeout pitcher,” McCarthy said. “She averages between five and eight a game and had as many as 12 [this season]. She puts the ball in spots where it’s difficult for hitters to make good contact.”

Junior first baseman Jamie Laird bats cleanup behind McKillop and is followed by Hoffman and senior catcher Brittany Anghle, who had two hits in the win over Syosset. Senior Rachel Sydney, unable to play the field due to a shoulder injury suffered before the start of spring practice, hasn’t been hampered at the plate and jump starts the offense at the top of the lineup. “She’s one of the best leadoff hitters I’ve ever coached,” McCarthy said.

As much as the offense has helped bury teams under an avalanche of runs, the Lady Jets revamped defense has kept opponents of the scoreboard. Despite some major shuffling in the field during spring practice, the defense has been an instant hit.

“Part of the reason why we’ve been so successful is we’ve really been playing like a team,” McCarthy said. “Whether it’s hitting or fielding the girls are supporting each other. Everyone’s contributing.”

Freshman Danielle Cutuli has had an immediate impact at the hot corner, where she replaced a graduated senior, while junior Nikki Giocastro and sophomore Becky Syers made a quick transition to the outfield after playing in the infield and catcher, respectively, and both earned starting roles. “They worked hard in practice, learned the position and have done great,” McCarthy said.

Perhaps one of the biggest surprises was the development of sophomore Amanda Carlin in the circle. She made her first career start against top-seeded Carey on Apr. 10 and pitched a two-hitter with just one walk in a 1-0 victory.

East Meadow hosts Massapequa on Monday at 4:15 and looks to sweep the season series after taking the first meeting, 8-0 on March 26.