Thursday, October 1, 2026
A veteran-laden Freeport softball team entered this season motivated to establish a winning culture after tackling a grueling schedule in Conference IV last spring.
Freeport returned to Conference V following a winless 2025 campaign against top competition and with 11 seniors on the roster fueled to be among the league’s top contenders.
“I've definitely seen a lot of resiliency out of the girls,” said ninth-year coach Rich Genzone of his large senior class. “They all have great leadership qualities.”
Senior Gabriella Nurse is once again the ace of the pitching staff in her fourth season on varsity and has developed a mix of pitches to keep batters off balance. Nurse recorded 13 strikeouts and allowed no hits in five innings of work in Freeport’s 12-0 win against Elmon on March 27 while also registering four RBIs at the plate.
Sophomore Kasandra Cazaares is also a capable starting pitcher when needed after throwing plenty of innings on varsity as a freshman. Freshman Desiree Rodriguez helps lead the pitching staff after starting behind the plate last season as an eighth grader.
Senior first baseman Sarah Martinez has emerged as one of Freeport’s offensive leaders after making strides as a junior in her first varsity season. Melanie Mendez anchors the outfield as a veteran senior center fielder while also producing at the plate to go along with speed on the base paths.
“She has a really good bat and is very fast,” Genzone said of Mendez, who recorded two hits in Freeport’s season-opening 13-1 victory at Valley Stream South on March 25. “We send her stealing very often when she’s on base.”
Versatile senior Wenelyis Reyes helps patrol the middle infield as starting shortstop and can also serve as a catcher when needed. The starting lineup also includes senior right fielder Alani Nunez and senior second baseman Deanna Reyes.
Genzone said the 11 seniors have forged tremendous team chemistry while forging lifetime bonds.
“They all have made a great impact on me as a coach and person,” Genzone said. “These kids will be friends for longer than whenever softball ends and I think they'll be friends for potentially even a lifetime.”
The Red Devils, who entered the week at 2-1 in Conference V, next host Oyster Bay Thursday at 10 a.m. before visiting Lawrence for a Saturday morning tilt two days later. Freeport will then play at home against West Hempstead on Monday for a 4:45 p.m. first pitch and then travel to Valley Stream South on April 15 at 4:30 p.m.
After moving up to Conference IV in 2022 following a 2021 playoff appearance, Genzone said a move back to its old league is a positive one for this year’s team.
“Last year, it was a very difficult conference and this year the conference is still challenging, but there's more of a variety of teams,” Genzone said. “We have some really top teams there and some middle ground teams and some developing teams so there's a little bit of everything.”
