Thursday, October 1, 2026
Valley Stream Central softball is rolling through opponents, riding a powerful offense and effective pitching to a 6-2 start. Despite working with a developing roster, coach Steve Sharkey has had younger players ready to go right out of the gate.
"It just kind of falls into place. These kids want to learn and want to get better," Sharkey said. "They're locked into softball season. We just try to do our part, and they're doing their part for sure."
After scoring 46 combined runs in the first two games and losing their next two, the Eagles have won their last four games by a combined score of 62-16. They have scored 11 or more runs in all but one game and have won four games by 17 or more.
It's impossible to point to a single player to encapsulate Valley Stream Central's offensive firepower, but freshman catcher Rita Teehan is certainly doing her part.
"She's excellent fielding, but she's an even stronger hitter, if you can believe it," Sharkey said. "She's leading the team in average right now, right around .500, and she hit a grand slam [against Roosevelt]. She's awesome at the plate."
Senior first baseman Izzy Donowski is the Eagles' captain and cleanup hitter, described as a "beast" in the middle of the lineup. Freshman second baseman Sierra Roman, sophomore shortstop Simran Kaur and senior third baseman Dyani Myers round out the power-hitting infield.
Every player in Valley Stream Central's lineup seems capable at the plate so far. Donowski and Myers, along with utility players Nirmal Butt and Kaitlyn Yeh, are some of the experienced players who lead the Eagles off the field, an especially vital role with so many young teammates starting every day.
"It's a different feel to this team," Sharkey said. "For me to pull up at 9 a.m. for a Saturday practice and see these girls running and stretching on their own, I attribute it all to the leadership of the seniors."
Central's offense is naturally grabbing headlines after multiple blowouts, but the true key to the Eagles' success has arguably been freshman pitcher Jaskiran Kaur. Pitching all but one game so far, Kaur has demonstrated superior control and stymied several strong offenses.
When the freshman star has brought her best in the circle so far, her teammates have been quick to support her, both in the field and at the plate. To accompany massive days on offense, Central has held opponents to three runs or less in five games. Kaur started four of them.
"She's our ace, a true number one," Sharkey said. "She's a freshman, very composed but competitive and energetic. The team runs through her."
Central's two losses so far came against West Hempstead and Hewlett, teams that are enjoying similarly hot starts. Sharkey said that potential revenge against those opponents at the end of April is motivating the younger players, who could turn the tables as they continue to develop into future program leaders.
