Thursday, October 1, 2026
Off a brilliant 16-2 campaign, the Hewlett softball team will make the jump from Conference 9 to 4 and is excited about the rise.
Hewlett returns many of its standouts but still is a young group with a accomplished eighth-grader returning as its ace pitcher in Coralia Savin. The club hit .405 last season.
“I believe we’re going to be competitive in Conference 4 with a chance to make the playoffs,’’ coach Jonathan Welsh said. “The strength of our team is our defense.’’
The defense is led by sophomore two-way shortstop, Alyssa Reich, whose spectacular at the plate and field. An All-Conference selection, Reich hit .480 in 2025 to lead the squad and stands as the backbone of the infield.
“I believe she’s the best shortstop in the county,’’ Welsh said. “She’s a five-tool player all around. There’s nobody better in the field.’’
Reich is a three-sport athlete and also a captain, saying “leadership’’ is her best attribute. She also plays soccer and runs track for Hewlett.
“I’ve been working on my swing a lot, not dropping my hands,’’ Reich said.
“We’re definitely strong this season,’’ Reich added. “We worked very hard and improved a lot. We have a really good core group with new incoming eighth-graders who will make an impact.’’
The key to the season is Savin’s development as its top pitcher after she performed sensationally as a seventh-grader, earning All-County Honorable Mention.
In the season-opening win over Conference 3’s Island Trees, Savin struck out 8 and allowed one earned run on March 23.
“Coralia is the definition of game-changer,’’ Welsh said. “She has a rare combination of physical dominance and fearless mental edge. She lives in the moment and wants the ball in the circle every game. It’s rare you find this in an eighth-grader. When she’s on, we’re tough to beat.’’
Savin will rely on junior catcher Sarah Oliveros, who is a good contact hitter but also a calming influence at the backstop.
(Sarah) keeps (Savin’s) head in the game, good at controlling her emotions,’’ Welsh said.
Junior centerfield Lily Simon, the so-called unsung hero who went without 2025 honors, is the backbone of the outfield and hit .396.
The key senior is Kayla Owens, who homered in the season-opening win — the Bulldogs’ lone contest entering the break. Owens launched four home runs in 2025.
“It was a no-doubter off the bat,’’ Welsh said. “Absolute tater.’’
Two new intriguing eighth-grade newcomers are first baseman Savannah Nicalek and second baseman Mia Bekker. Both played middle-school softball last spring.
Bekker will start at second baseman as sophomore star Riley Lahey rehabs from a hip injury. Lahey was All Conference last season, batting .457. When Lahey rejoins midseason, Welsh will move her to the outfield.
The Bulldogs lost in the second round of the playoffs last season to Roslyn. There is no reason Hewlett won’t at least repeat that feat, especially if Savin keeps growing on the mound.
“With her in the circle, our future is bright,’’ Welsh said.
