Thursday, October 1, 2026
The winningest coach in Nassau County high school softball history is now a member of the New York State Softball Hall of Fame.
Carmine Verde, Long Beach’s coach since 1988, was among 12 inductees honored June 21 at a ceremony in Herkimer. Verde has 485 career victories and has guided the Marines to seven county titles, two Long Island champions and the 2007 state crown. He became the first Nassau County coach to win a NYS championship.
A six-time recipient of the Nassau “Coach of the Year,” Verde was inducted into the Nassau County High School Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019.
“Both are special,” Verde said of the state and county Hall of Fame honors. “I’m thrilled to be recognized by Nassau County that was totally unexpected. And the state is softball only and another incredible honor.”
Of all the wins, Verde said the 2007 state title game against Shenendehowa stands out and is often replayed in his mind. “That’s the pinnacle so it has to be my most memorable game,” he said. “Nothing against any of the other 484 wins or any of the other teams I’ve coached, but when you win a state championship that’s the one if I’ve got to pick just one.”
Long Beach defeated Shenendehowa, 1-0, behind the pitching of Melissa Donnelly. She also scored the winning run, driven in by Lauren Urbont. “That day was the Melissa Donnelly show,” Verde said. “Back then the state semifinals and finals were played on the same day. At 9 a.m. she shut out Frontier 4-0 and Haley Birnbaum had a bases-loaded double to drive in three runs. Then the finals started at 1:30 p.m. and the one run we got in the fourth inning, that was enough for Donnelly.”
Toni Kolb-Papetti not only played for Long Beach under Verde as a standout All-County pitcher, but later became his assistant coach for six seasons including the 2007 state championship run.
“Coach Verde’s unwavering love and dedication to softball and his athletes goes above and beyond anyone I’ve ever played for or coached with,” Kolb-Papetti said. “Anyone you ask who has had the pleasure of working with him is part of his extended family.”
Kerri Rehnback was a senior shortstop on the Marines’ 1991 county title winning team and took over as Verde’s assistant in 2009 and served in the position for 11 years.
“He was great to play for and an inspiration to me as I pursued my own coaching career,” said Rehnback, who served as Long Beach’s girls’ volleyball coach for 17 years and guided the Marines to four county championships, two Long Island titles and a state crown. “It’s been incredible to have him as a mentor and his honors are well deserved,” she added.
Long Beach has reached the Nassau softball playoffs in 35 of Verde’s 38 seasons and won a conference crown this spring. He isn’t sure how much longer he’ll coach, but “still loves it.”
He’s 15 wins shy of 500.
“I never thought about getting to 300 or 400,” Verde said. “At this point being so close [to 500], it’s only natural to think about. I’ve really been blessed.”
