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St. Luke's Softball: Season Outlook
Although our spring games and practices are on hold due to Coronavirus precautions, we thought you'd enjoy reading this Softball Season Outlook—written before schools were asked to close. It feels good to celebrate our coaches and athletes and think ahead to getting back on the Hilltop.
The St. Luke’s Softball Team always has high expectations, and this year is no different.
The Storm won the Fairchester Athletic Association (FAA) and Western New England Preparatory School Association (WNEPSA) championships last spring and hopes to defend both titles this year.
Head Coach Elizabeth Joseph returns for her third year and is excited by her squad of players: “We have another great group of girls and are fortunate to welcome back Summer Klein [‘20], Janelle Johnson [‘20], and Lexi Watson [‘20], as they will add experience to a very young squad.”
The youth within the team is highlighted by the fact that two of the team’s captains are sophomores. Andrea DiTeodoro and Lili Messina join Raven Sead ‘20 as the leaders of the Storm. Joseph is confident the trio will work well together: “We look for the captains to continue the family feel that St. Luke’s Softball encapsulates. We expect them to encourage and assist other players in any way possible. They will not only lead on the field, but also off the field. I know they will step up and contribute a lot.”
Joseph was pleased with the first couple of weeks of preseason. However, she knows her team will need to work hard and hit the ground running when they get back on the field: “One of our goals is to defend our FAA and WNEPSA championship titles, so we will need to work extremely hard to achieve that. We want everyone to have fun but to leave it all on the field in the process. We have some big shoes to fill this year, but I know the girls will rise to the challenge.”
Some of the shoes Joseph refers to will be filled by Aidan Panian ‘23 and Sienna Pilla ‘24, who have impressed already: “Aidan is a great athlete and has tremendous raw talent and ability, so she will have an immediate impact. Sienna has come to practice every day with a positive attitude and gives her best effort. She does all of the little things a coach looks for in a player.”
Another player who has caught the eye is Shannon Rust ‘22, and Joseph is thrilled with her development: “Shannon continues to improve and works hard to get better and better. She has great focus and always asks valid questions, which make her a better player.”
Although the Storm’s focus will be on winning another championship, Joseph expects her team to exude great character, no matter the situation: “We want the team to play with heart, passion, and integrity. We also want the team to respect each other, as well as our opponents and officials. We expect the girls to show great sportsmanship every single day.”
With such a young team, Joseph looks forward to the team competing for many years. She concluded: “I am excited to see our program and young players build over the next few years. It’s going to be fun to work with the girls and to see what they can accomplish.”
St. Luke’s School is a secular (non-religious), private school in New Canaan, CT for grades 5 through 12 serving over 35 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 Center for Leadership builds the commitment to serve and the confidence to lead.
