Thursday, October 1, 2026
Oceanside softball’s revolving door of talent seems set for another spin, as the Sailors are rolling with a new cast of outstanding seniors. To hear coach Carlo Quagliata tell it, his biggest issue is finding places to put everyone on one of the strongest rosters in Nassau Class AAA.
“Some of these girls are not seeing the playing time they're used to seeing,” Quagliata said. “These are all studs.”
Undefeated in four games to start, Oceanside now stands at 4-2 overall after back-to-back losses to Seaford and Wantagh at the end of March. The minor skid does not diminish the Sailors’ potential, however, as they have already earned statement victories over Kellenberg and Glen Cove.
Oceanside’s early success can largely be credited to senior pitcher Caroline Ferchland, who has started nearly every game. In an 11-0 victory over defending Nassau Class AA champion Glen Cove on March 25, Ferchland threw a complete game with five strikeouts, outdueling Knights ace Brooke Simmons. Two days later, she went the distance again, only for Oceanside to suffer a 2-0 defeat to Seaford.
“She came back this year determined,” Quagliata said. “She came back, physically, the best I've seen. She's thrown all her pitches, she's locating them, she's changing it up. She's a clear leader on the team.”
Against Kellenberg, a perennial NYSCHSAA powerhouse, Ferchland came in to relieve sophomore Lily Chiofalo and secure a 6-4 victory. Quagliata said Chiofalo and fellow sophomore Elizabeth Geiger will fill in as needed in the circle.
The Sailors’ offense was on full display in their blowout victory over Glen Cove, and no one had more to offer than senior Karley Handleman. Facing one of the best pitchers in the county, the power-swinging shortstop hit for the cycle, driving in three runs and scoring another three herself.
“When Karley puts bat to ball, it flies,” Quagliata said. “The exit velocity, not that I measure it, is incredible. She’s been our superstar.”
Far from a one-girl show, Oceanside, which reached the Class AAA finals last spring, has also received immense production from senior third baseman Riley Brasch, who went 3-for-3 against Kellenberg and knocked the go-ahead two-RBI double in the bottom of the sixth.
“Between Karley Handleman and Riley Brasch, if you ask me, we have two of the best offensive forces in the county right now,” Quagliata said.
Confined to supporting roles in prior seasons, Handleman and Brasch have been relentless early on ahead of college careers at Rollins College and Western Connecticut State University, respectively. They are joined by senior outfielder Kaitlyn Tompkins and first baseman Maggie Nesturrick, who are also committed to play in college.
“Our senior leadership is united, and when they are united together, all the underclassmen buy in,” Quagliata said.
As Ferchland, Handleman and Brasch take command, Quagliata said he was encouraged by those behind them. Sophomores Hailey Bischoff and Liana Horan have already shown early promise, while a slew of junior varsity players are primed to fill spots as they open in years to come. In a perennial Class AAA race between Oceanside, defending champ Massapequa and Syosset, strong reserves are necessary to sustain the rivalry.
