The Huntington High School softball program is looking for more players to join the fun. The varsity and JV teams start practicing next Monday afternoon so there is still plenty of time to come aboard for the spring season. An interest meeting will be held in the gym on Monday at 2:30 p.m.
Players do not need to have previous softball experience. A willingness to learn the sport and have fun is all that is required. The varsity and JV teams plan to practice together and then play separate schedules against the same high schools at opposite sites.
Huntington physical education teacher John Walsh serves as the program’s varsity head coach. Huntington Town Softball Hall of Fame member, Jim Byrnes Sr. is the assistant coach. “We will welcome any new player that wants to give the sport a shot,” Walsh said. “We will teach them everything they need to know. We have a great group of returning players so whoever joins the team for the first time is sure to have a good time. We hope that Wednesday afternoon’s meeting draws some new players.”
The key returning varsity players are Isabella Toscano, Alexandra Gerbavsits, Anna Wickey and Maya DelGiudice. Megan Byrnes is also returning to the sport after sitting out last spring. She is an experienced player who is expected to immediately play a key role this year’s team.
Toscano was sensational at third base last year while Gerbavsits was exceptional at catcher. DelGiudice pitched and played first base. She even tossed a no-hitter. Wickey played shortstop and captured All-Division honors after batting .352. Byrnes is expected to be one of the top players in the division this spring.
“I’m excited to see what the team will do this year, since we have a lot of young players joining,” Wickey said. “I think we’re going to do really well this season as well as become close as teammates.”
The Blue Devils need a few more players to fill out their varsity and JV rosters. The group of returning players also includes Ashley Coleman, Floris Lopez Zelaya, Madeline Meidenman, Morgan Minicozzi, Carolina Moreira-Ibarra, Daniela Ramos Campos, Daniela Weihskopf Escobar, Madelyn Bavaro, Teddi Carnesi and Victoria Mangan.
Several promising players from last year’s team at J. Taylor Finley Middle School who are now high school freshman are also in the fold for the coming season, including Jasjeet Kaur.
“I think it’s going to be a really great year,” DelGiudice said. “We have a lot of new, young players and I’m excited to see them grow through the season and have fun.”
