Huntington High School softball players have collectively paid their dues the past several seasons, but now the Blue Devils appear ready for the big time. The stars appear to be lining up for a post-season run this spring.
The Huntington softball program has certainly faced its challenges during recent years, struggling to fill out the varsity, junior varsity and middle school rosters and finding it difficult to win games. All of that seems to be in the rear view mirror as the Blue Devils have energetic and talented players at every level.
Coached by district physical education teachers John Walsh and Eric Mininni, the Huntington varsity returns captains Teddi Carnesi and Jasjeet Kaur and All-League pitcher Ruby Meidenmann. Highly regarded third baseman Gabby Miller, who impressed in the field and at the plate last spring is also back.
Sophomores Adriana Abbatiello, Katie Barba and Jackie Gutierrez; juniors Allison Malone, and Haileigh Smith; and seniors Madelyn Bavaro, Cynthia Contreras, Victoria Mangan, Kathryn Sanseviro and Sophia Toscano are also returning to the varsity team.
The JV will once again be coached by physical education teacher Alex Nelson. JV veterans who are eligible to return include sophomores Genesis Acevedo, Natalia Hernandez, Yuliana Hernandez-Perla and Jessica Maixner; and senior Theresa Rivera.
The J. Taylor Finley Middle School softball team has a new coach in physical education teacher Marissa Bergmann after longtime dugout mentor Nancy Conlon retired last June. The new coach is looking to build participation in the program and is actively recruiting players in her classes.
Bergmann plans to build the team around returning starting catcher Emily Barba and veteran eighth graders Kathleen Cocoman, Gabriela Genao, Aniya Guerrero, Angelina Hernandez, Giovanna Lanfranco, Odalys Salazar Bolanos and Belinda Velasquez Maldona.
Walsh intends to reach out into the community along with some of his best varsity players and provide clinics for elementary school age softball teams wherever and whenever possible. He is hoping that students at both Finley and the high school who aren’t already committed to playing a spring sport will give softball a look and consider signing up.
Players can sign up now with either the high school or Finley nurse. They must submit an interval health history form, which is available at the nurse’s office or by clicking the link below. All players must be cleared by the nurse before they will be allowed to take the field.
A signed parent permission form (also available below) should be brought to the first practice. The high school softball season begins on Monday, March 14 with Finley’s softball team starting workouts on Monday, March 28.
Here are direct links to needed forms:
• Interval Health History Form
http://www.hufsd.edu/assets/pdf/athletics/2022/interval_health_history.pdf
http://www.hufsd.edu/assets/pdf/athletics/2022/interval_health_history-sp.pdf
• Parent Permission Form
http://www.hufsd.edu/assets/pdf/athletics/2022/parent_consent_form.pdf
Need more information? Send a message to one of the softball coaches below:
• Varsity head coach: John Walsh – jwalsh@hufsd.edu
• Varsity assistant coach: Eric Mininni – emininni@hufsd.edu
• JV head coach: Alex Nelson – anelson@hufsd.edu
• Finley head coach: Marissa Bergmann – mbergmann@hufsd.edu
Questions: Contact athletic director Jim Hoops at jhoops@hufsd.edu or call the athletic office at 631.673.2018.