Thursday, October 1, 2026
After a 6-12 finish last season that left it out of the playoffs, the South Side softball team is off to a fast start in 2026, using speed and a balanced roster to fuel an early victory.
The Cyclones opened the season with a 19-7 home win over New Hyde Park March 26, a game defined by aggressive base running and timely hitting. Freshman left fielder and new leadoff hitter Valentina Marquardt led the charge, scoring three runs, while four other players crossed the plate twice to back junior pitcher Lily Iandiorio, who struck out seven in a complete-game effort.
Coach Angelica Gargiulo, in her second year at the helm, took advantage of a little small ball and her roster depth to gain the edge as 13 different runners crossed home.
“There definitely weren’t many hits, but a lot of steals,” she said. “We were very aggressive on the bags, looking to move every single chance that we had. We came alive right away, which set the tone for the game.”
The Cyclones return much of last year’s roster, including key seniors in star catcher Kaitlyn Ganly and co-captains Carly Sottovia in center field and second baseman Clare McKenna. But two of the five freshmen on the 22-girl roster and four sophomores saw playing time in the opener, giving Gargiulo a glimpse of the future.
“I definitely think that this is the start of a foundation of the next potential four-year program,” Gargiulo said. “Our freshmen definitely came in ready to work, highly skilled [and] competing at a high level already. I think our freshman group is here for the long run, and they definitely spark the rest of our team.”
Iandiorio reached 100 strikeouts while pitching every inning last season, but the team now has two other hurlers to share the workload, including Audrey Morrow, a junior transfer from Kellenberg, and freshman Eva Trivigno. Morrow brings a powerful fastball and, like Iandiorio, multiple pitches to the rotation, while Trivigno will see occasional action as she develops.
“They’re both going to be in a huge for us, so we no longer just have one pitcher,” Gargiulo said. “It’s ginormous.”
The lineup features a mix of experienced and emerging talent. Cleanup hitter Ganly is expected to provide consistent offensive production. Marquardt, with her speed and energy, has transformed the leadoff spot, while right fielder Madeline McKenna and Morrow round out the top of the order.
Sophomore Adriana Marquardt holds down first base, and Sottovia patrols center field with her trademark energy.
“Carly is the energy of our team,” Gargiulo said. “Always a million miles per hour. We always joke she's like the hype girl, no matter the situation. She gets up to bat, tries her hardest to get on the base. Her speed definitely sets her apart in the outfield, covering a lot of the outfield and center.”
The Cyclones beat North Shore 12-2 March 31 as sophomore Olivia Urrego drove in four runs before a weeklong break. They will return with two games against new conference foe Manhasset in a span of five days starting on April 8 sandwiched around a home match with Floral Park this Friday.
