Varsity Softball: Season Outlook

Once again, the St. Luke’s varsity softball team’s goal is to win the Fairchester Athletic Association (FAA) title. 

The Storm has won five of the last six regular season championships, including the 2021 title. This year, they hope to make it six of seven. St. Luke’s also hopes to challenge for the FAA tournament and Western New England Preparatory School Association tournament titles this spring. 

Head coach Elizabeth Joseph, who returns to lead the Storm, has been extremely pleased with the team’s preparations: “Our preseason has been great. The girls arrive at every practice ready to learn and improve. We also took advantage of the fitness center and the expertise of the BlueStreak trainers, who provided us with great workouts.”

Joseph is thrilled with all three captains, seniors Andrea DiTeodoro, Dakota Kelly, and Lili Messina, who have already contributed so much to the team’s success: “Andrea, Dakota, and Lili are all great kids and softball players. We look to them to continue to cultivate the family feel that St. Luke’s softball embodies. We expect them to encourage their teammates and provide a positive voice, both on and off the field.”

St. Luke’s boasts a wealth of talent, but Joseph has been particularly impressed with sophomores Sienna Pilla and Alexander Bacher. “This is Sienna’s third year on varsity, since she started with us in eighth grade. She continues to impress us with her outstanding hustle and fearless attitude. It will be great to see her develop throughout the season. Alex came to St. Luke’s last year and is a force to be reckoned with on the mound. It will be exciting to see her pitch again this year.”

Other preseason standout players include Jessie Hausman ‘22 and Margot Seiden ‘25. Both players are new to the Storm roster, but Joseph is eager to see what they will add to the program: “Jessie brings great energy and positivity to the team. I am excited to see what she will accomplish this season, both on the mound and at the plate. Margot brings a big bat to our line-up. She also has a strong arm behind the plate. It will be great to see her locked in on game days.”

Joseph knows St. Luke’s has a target on its back, due to the program’s success. However, she wants her team to stick to the principles they talk about every year: “We want the team to play with heart, passion, and integrity. We also want our girls to continue to respect each other as well as their opponents. Great sportsmanship is  important and something we expect of our players.”

Joseph understands the demands of the FAA league. She has been with the program since 2017 and is entering her fourth season as head coach. She knows it will be tough to meet the team’s goals but has confidenence in her players: “We know the challenges ahead. King is always one of our biggest rivals and, typically, has a very good team, so we expect them to push us all the way. It would be wonderful to be both regular season and tournament champs.”

St. Luke’s opened its season with a shutout win against Cheshire Academy on Wednesday, March 30, beating the Cats 4-0. Bacher had a great day on the mound, pitching all seven innings and earning 13 strikeouts. Seiden had three hits and three RBIs in her first start for the Storm.

The team is back in action on Saturday, April 2, at home against Kent School.