Calhoun headed to softball playoffs

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While the baseball team at Calhoun was busy winning two of the past three Nassau Class AA titles, the softball program was flying under the radar, so to speak. However, the girls have made a name for themselves on the diamond this spring. 

After securing a 17-5 road victory over Baldwin, the Lady Colts improved to 7-4 in Conference AA-II, and clinched their first postseason berth in over a decade. Senior captain Gianna Saladino was 3-for-5 with four RBI, and Cassie Beccaris went 3-for-5 with a triple and three RBI to lead the way. Sophomore pitcher Lauren Trimarco earned her fifth win of the season.

Head coach Jason Boland said he’s very happy for his team, especially the upperclassmen who played on some less than successful teams. “The seniors were there when we were getting run-ruled nearly every game, and were struggling just to be competitive,” Boland said. “Back then, I had to search the hallways to find bodies to field a team. I couldn’t be happier for the seniors. They put in a lot of hard work. I’m glad they’re getting a shot to compete in the playoffs.”  

Sweeping both Baldwin and Farmingdale was the key to Calhoun’s playoff run. In the first meeting with Farmingdale, Saladino drew a bases loaded walk to bring home the only run of the game, and Trimarco did the rest, hurling a complete game three-hitter to earn a 1-0 decision.

When the Colts took on Baldwin, Beccaris, a senior center fielder, hit a two-out single to bring home Trimarco in the bottom of the eighth inning to give Calhoun the win. Sophomore right fielder Joanne Marmo, who is hitting nearly .500 for the season, was 2-for-4. Freshman southpaw Nicole Imhof, an All-County recipient as an eighth-grader, earned the win.

Sophomore second baseman Allison Abbene was the hitting star the next time the team met Farmingdale. Abbene, who has been outstanding in the leadoff slot, was 2-for-3 with an RBI double and a run scored. Trimarco went the distance to pick up the win.

Trimarco and Imhof have not only been a terrific tandem in the circle, both have been tremendous at the plate. Imhof is hitting .600, and leads the team in home runs and RBI. Trimarco has been solid out of the three-hole for Calhoun, which is hitting close to .400 as a team. Senior catcher Marisa Marcigliano has been a rock behind the plate. 

Boland believes that his team’s relative experience has made a big difference.

“Our ability to hit in the clutch has been very important; that comes with experience,” he said. “We came into the season looking to be successful, and to make the playoffs. I told the girls at the beginning of the year that merely being competitive was no longer enough. They understood that it was time to win. We were on the losing end of a lot of close games over the years. All the hard work the girls put in paid off.”