Chemistry drives Malverne's success

Interest and camaraderie are way up for Malverne’s softball program, which has a reborn JV squad to go with a varsity off to a 4-4 start and showing a high compete level.

“We used last year as a building block,” coach Nick Moreno said. “We brought back a bunch of starters who really improved over the past 10 months. We have great team unity and I think we’re going to be competitive every time we step on the field.”

The Mules needed just seven games to double last spring’s win total, going 4-3 including 3-2 against Conference VII rivals. “The girls are confident in their ability and love playing for one another and always cheer each other on,” Moreno explained. “They really want to be out there every day.”

Junior pitcher Samantha Frey had her strongest outing of 2022 on April 11 when she allowed just one hit in a 12-0 victory over visiting Friends Academy. Frey shared time in the circle a year ago and has improved her accuracy and consistency, Moreno noted. She throws right-handed and is a key left-handed power bat in the lineup.

Frey has developed chemistry with young catcher Madeleine Ogara, a travel ball player who is proving she fits right in at the varsity level. The eighth-grader was hitting .400 through the first seven games and showing signs of being a strong vocal leader, Moreno said.

Senior captains Kayla George, Elizabeth Cardenas and Jazmyne Ackies all have take-charge attitudes and are leading the turnaround hopes from last season.

George, who went 3-for-3 and drove in three runs in the win over Friends Academy, anchors the outfield in center and has made some highlight-reel catches already. “If the ball is hit to Kayla, nobody gets nervous,” Moreno said. “She’s going to catch anything near her.”

Cardenas is leading the Mules in hitting in the early going with a .600 average while also providing steady defense at first base. She had four hits to lead an 18-6 victory over Roosevelt on March 30 and blasted a homer in a 21-8 win over Hempstead on April 5. “She has a great glove and is a great communicator who usually bats second in the lineup,” Moreno said.

Ackies is the returning starting shortstop and setting the tone at the top of the order from the leadoff spot. She’s extremely aggressive on the basepaths and a talented defender. “If she gets on base, we’re likely scoring,” Moreno said. “She’ll steal or take an extra base whenever she can.”

Junior Julia Brienza, who didn’t play last spring due to injury, is starting at third base and smacked a pair of homers against Hempstead. “She has a strong arm and a powerful bat,” Moreno said.

Freshman Olivia Jenkins has emerged as the starter at second base, while a pair of seniors — newcomer to the sport Dahianara Rijo-Pache and Isabella Betancourt-Jenkins — flank George in the outfield.

In addition to Friends, Roosevelt and Hempstead, the Mules have Valley Stream Central, Valley Stream South, Westbury, Uniondale and Lawrence as conference rivals.