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Varsity Softball Season Preview
Expectations for the girls varsity softball team are high this year. The Storm went 13-2 last season, and also nabbed FAA, and New England championship titles. When asked about the team’s chances this season, head coach Troy Haynie stated: “I’m not going to guarantee that we will have the same level of success as last year because softball is a sport where anything can happen. We lost four seniors last year. All four of them were impact players.” Like any coach, Haynie is careful not to declare victory before the season has started. The FAA is a deep league this season. Many of the Storm’s rivals, including King, Hopkins, and Rye Country Day School, will be fielding competitive teams this year. Nevertheless, Haynie is quite confident in the team: “To say we’ll get more trophies this year is aggressive, but definitely obtainable.”
With a deep core of freshman and sophomore athletes, Haynie’s reserved prediction does indeed seem obtainable. What the team lacks in experience, they more than make up for in terms of pure skill. Every player on the Storm either has great potential, or has already reached a level of dominance in the league. Sophomore Noel Ruschil ‘18 hit for an unworldly .692 average, with 20 runs batted in, 27 runs scored, and 2 homeruns. Lead off batter Maya Klein ’18 had equally staggering numbers, batting .521 with 11 RBIs, and 20 runs scored. Senior captain Ali Ferris ’16 hit a respectable .275 last season, Courteney Newman ‘18 batted .386 in the cleanup spot, and Emma Castiglione batted .324. Newcomers to the varsity squad, Riley Paige ‘19, and Kendall Boege ’19, will also be forces to be reckoned with. “We definitely have bats,” said Haynie. “We have an incredibly strong lineup.”
Haynie’s coaching style, which was certainly effective last year, will change very little this spring. However, he has made it his mission this season to focus on defensive fundamentals. “We’re going to be looking specifically at footwork at every angle, and at every position, in addition to defensive positioning at a broader level.”
According to Haynie, the softball team’s unofficial motto is, “work hard, play hard.” Every member of the squad pushes themselves to become better softball players, but they also come together off the field to enjoy each other’s company. Coach Haynie said, “I’m a big believer in the family concept. We’re all sisters and brothers. It’s great to see all of that come together already this season.”
The combination of a deep lineup, effective leadership, and a strong emphasis on teamwork will undoubtedly push the girls varsity softball team towards a successful 2016 season.
St. Luke’s School is a secular (non-religious), private school in New Canaan, CT for grades 5 through 12 serving over 40 towns in Connecticut and New York. Our exceptional academics and diverse co-educational community foster students’ intellectual and ethical development and prepare them for top colleges. St. Luke’s Leading with Humanity curriculum builds the commitment to serve and the confidence to lead.
