Thursday, October 1, 2026
After navigating some early inconsistency in a Nassau’s top conference, the Calhoun softball team is hoping it has finally found some rhythm in April.
The Colts are off to a 4-3 overall start, including a 3-2 mark in the highly competitive Conference 1. The Colts alternated losses and wins through their first six games before breaking through with consecutive victories, including a 7-4 win at MacArthur last Saturday.
Calhoun’s early success comes on the heels of an 11-10 campaign in which it reached the Nassau Class AA playoffs as a Conference 3 participant, defeating Long Beach in the opening round before a heartbreaking 1-0 quarterfinal loss at eventual county champion Glen Cove.
“Conference 1 gives you a real taste of what’s out there,” Colts coach Michael Pisano said. “Every game is a battle, and those kinds of competitive games are only making us better and preparing us for playoff softball. We’re excited about where we are right now, but even more excited about where this team can go.”
Offensively, junior Madison Martins has been a standout catalyst. She delivered a three-hit performance, including a triple, and drove in five runs against MacArthur, and also enjoyed a 4-for-4 performance in a 10-8 victory over Syosset on March 30 that helped boost her batting average to .536 and on-base mark to .591 while leading the team in RBIs.
“She’s been the driving force of our offense so far,” Pisano said. “She is absolutely on fire at the plate right now. She’s always had talent, but this year she’s been locked in, consistent, and confident every time she steps to the plate. She’s been a major difference maker for us.”
Calhoun opened with a 10-1 non-league win over Carey behind contributions throughout the lineup, including senior Ruth Small’s three RBIs and a combined nine strikeouts from sophomore hurlers Sophia Nicastro and Megan Hobdy.
Nicastro also struck out eight in a 4-2 win over Mepham on April 9, allowing just two runs as the Colts scored all four of their runs in the first inning. Hobdy earned the save, while Martins delivered a key two-run double.
“Nicastro is one of the top young players around,” Pisano said of his hurler, who also blasted a home run at Oceanside on April 7. “She impacts the game both in the circle and at the plate and has all the tools to be a star. What stands out most is how hard she works and how much she loves the game. She’s a humble, team-first player and is only getting better.”
Eighth-grader Selma Radoncic and senior Alexa LaBarbera are also off to strong starts after both homered and combined to drive in five runs against Syosset. Pisano also praised LaBarbera for her seamless transition to the outfield and the clutch hitting of senior captain Katie DiPaola, who is batting .343 with a .455 OBP.
Following a five-day break, Calhoun returns to action with three challenging games in four days, beginning with a non-league home matchup against Plainedge on April 20. The Colts then travel to Massapequa the next day before hosting Wantagh on April 23.
