Monday, April 21, 2025
With a healthy mix of talented veterans and dynamic young talent, Hewlett softball is starting fresh and turning heads in a resurgent 2025 season.
For first-year coach Jonathan Welsh, it all goes back to the girls, who have kicked off to an electric 7-1 start in their first eight games, with the only loss out of conference.
"We sat down with the seniors before the season," Welsh said. "We knew we were going to have a youth movement. Their goal was to set the atmosphere and environment of this program coming back to life."
The Bulldogs' hot start is the result of a blitzing offense that has scored at least 13 runs in each of the first eight games. Defense was an issue early on and led to several eye-popping scores, but in its last four games, Hewlett has outscored opponents 62-10.
It is highly fitting that the face of the new-look Bulldogs is a determined seventh grader battling in the circle. Coralia Savin may be five years younger than the oldest players on Hewlett, but she is already making a major difference. She has pitched in most of the games and is also a key hitter capable of causing chaos on the basepaths.
For younger players like Savin, competing at the high school level can be challenging in a number of ways, but Hewlett's senior leaders have made her feel at home early in her career.
"Our culture has changed drastically from years past," Welsh said. "One of the things we really stressed was welcoming the youth. It's not easy for a seventh grader to be in the circle the majority of the season."
When senior first baseman Rachel Cafaro isn't powering through opposing pitchers, she has been driving Savin to events with her teammates. She is one of three captains, along with senior pitcher/outfielder Hayley Henggeler and sophomore catcher Sarah Oliveros, who are focusing on doing something "memorable."
Sophomore center fielder Lily Simon has also been batting near the top of the order. She and Savin have consistently managed to get on base, run aggressively, and set the table for the power hitters.
Shortstop Alyssa Reich and third baseman Kayla Owens have worked counts all season to knock them in, and Cafaro and freshman second baseman Riley Lahey haven't been far behind. The latter pair combined for eight hits and five RBIs in a 27-16 win over Roosevelt on March 29.
This core has proven to be one of the most effective in the county thus far and could be a force in a typically chaotic Conference 9.
Welsh can be credited with a massive turnaround for the Bulldogs early in his tenure as coach, but he would be the first to admit that Hewlett's success begins and ends with its players, who are just as committed to a playoff run.
The Bulldogs, whose only defeat came against Lynbrook from Conference 5 in non-league, are in the midst of a six-game homestand that continues Monday against Roosevelt at 10 a.m.
