Carey young but not inexperienced

Carey checked all the result boxes within its first three softball games this spring, defeating Seaford, tying Island Trees and falling to Farmingdale to begin the Conference II slate 1-1-1.

“It’s going pretty well so far,” Carey coach Anthony Turco said. “We have a young team for the second year in a row with only one senior starter. But we do have experience and 14 young ladies motivated to do well.”

The Seahawks, who struggled last season with just one victory against Conference I foes, tasted the win column right out of the gate with a 7-4 decision over Seaford. Junior pitcher Lauren Peers struck out nine and shortstop Caylee DeMeo, the lone senior starter, drove in two runs.

“Our experience showed right away in the first game,” Turco said. “We took a 5-0 lead on a cold, rainy day and held it together after Seaford rallied to make it 5-4. We pushed it back to 7-4 and held on.”

Peers, already in her third varsity campaign in the pitching circle, relies on accuracy but does boast some power as well. “She can strike batters out but being around the strike zone is her biggest asset,” Turco said. “She uses a screwball to jam right-handed batters. She also fields the position well and is one of our better hitters.”

Spelling Peers at times will be junior Emily Lehane, who is the primary center fielder. Lehane features a wicked curve and change-up, Turco said, and held her own in the tie with Island Trees and also had an RBI. Peers, who earned Honorable Mention All-County in 2022, spells Lehane in center and drove in a scored a run against Island Trees.

DeMeo, a UConn commit, is a two-time All-County selection in two sports (basketball) and will bat third or fourth and anchor the infield defense. She hit .350 a year ago against the toughest pitching Nassau can find. “Caylee’s an incredible kid and athlete,” Turco said. “She has a power bat and a strong arm.”

Returning to the leadoff spot, junior catcher Grace Leimgruber sets the tone for the offense with her slap-hitting ability from the left side, and speed. She went 3-for-3 in the loss to Farmingdale. “She has good bat control and we’re getting her to swing away a little more,” said Turco, who also has sophomore Sabrina Chapman working behind the plate.

The corner infield spots are handled by freshman Paige Agate at third, and junior Stefania Imperioli at first. Agate, up from JV, has quality range, a strong arm and some pop in her bat, while Turco said Imperioli is a gap hitter who makes all the defensive plays. Junior Madison Seidl returns at second base where sophomore Amalia Flaherty will also contribute.

How the outfield will ultimately take shape remains to be seen, Turco said, but in addition to Lehane, Peers and Chapman, there’s sophomores Adrianna Barragan and Alessandra Varuzzi, and freshman Devon Barley.

“We’re not familiar with a lot of teams we’re playing, but I do think the conference is wide open,” Turco said.