Thursday, October 1, 2026
Coming off a phenomenal 2025 campaign that included a perfect 16-0 mark against Conference V rivals, Long Beach softball has its work cut out this spring.
The Marines are now in Conference III and replacing its starting battery and three other key pieces from a season that ended with a Nassau Class AA playoff loss at Calhoun.
“We’re a young team with a young pitcher that will learn how to compete every day,” said coach Carmine Verde, whose first win of his 39th year at the helm came March 27 in walk-off fashion, 5-4 over Locust Valley. “We went to nine-team leagues, so technically we took a one-conference jump,” he added. “Still there’s going to be some tough teams to face.”
A .500 or better conference record is needed to qualify for the playoffs, so at least eight wins in home-and-home sets against Garden City, Division, Herricks, Port Washington, Locust Valley, Carle Place, Island Trees and Hicksville.
The new battery combination is comprised of sophomores. Juliette Cangelosi picked up her first win in the circle when junior Avery Graziosi singled home sophomore Sydney Olivo with the winning run with two outs in the bottom of the fifth to beat Locust Valley.
Cangelosi threw 102 pitches and struck out six. “It was a very exciting game,” Verde said. “We were down 3-0 in the top of the first, came back to lead 4-3 before they tied it. Juliette is getting a little better each time out. She works hard and I’m looking forward to watching her continued progress.” Freshman Kayla Watts will also see some work in the circle.
Behind the plate, Ella Scott is not only new to the program but the entire district after relocating from North Carolina. She played travel ball there and picked up two hits in her first game for Long Beach. “She’s energetic, blocks the ball very well and has great instincts,” Verde said.
The left side of the infield returned with Graziosi at third base and junior Emily Adler at shortstop. Both have strong, accurate arms, Verde said, and will need to contribute offensively. Graziosi hit .294 last season and Adler batted .341 with 17 RBIs. Senior Gianna Hidaldgo takes over as the starter at second base after hitting .387 with 13 runs scored, and sophomore Anabel Espinet is up from JV to not only start at first base but serve as the leadoff batter. “She’s a line-drive hitter with a quick bat and a good baserunner,” Verde said of Espinet.
Long Beach’s best defender can be found in center field. Junior Brianna Bothell will also hit third in the lineup after raking to a .523 average with 17 RBIs and 21 runs last spring. Olivo moves from right field to left and is a reliable defender who made some highlight-reel defensive plays a year ago and a lefty slap-hitter. Her vacated spot in right remains up for grabs.
The Marines are home this Saturday at 10 a.m. versus Division and home again Monday against Herricks at 5 p.m.
