The Panther’s first home game is against John Jay College on Friday, March 8 at the Jackie Robinson Athletic Complex. Coach Tom Pennino and the entire women’s softball team are very excited to get the spring season started. They are training hard to improve on last season’s record of 12 wins and 17 losses. Coach Pennino said that the team has a huge roster of extremely talented players making Women’s Softball as strong as ever.
The team has five new players joining the team this season. “A major part of college coaching is recruiting,” said Tom Pennino, head coach of the women’s softball team. “The goal is to recruit better and better players every year.”
Not all the new players come from Long Island. “Over the last couple of years, Old Westbury softball has gained more popularity and interest both locally, semi-local, and out of state,” Panino said. “We have five out of out-of-state players, two from New Jersey, two from Florida, and one player from Arizona. We are starting to attract more out-of-tate talent.”
“I am looking forward to big things to come,” said Senior Natalie Intrieri. “We have a good team this season. Coach Tommy did a great job aoft bringing in a lot of talent. We’re looking forward to a lot of wins, a lot of fun, and a lot of exciting things coming our way.” The team truly has a lot to look forward to for the spring.
Junior Alaina Reilly is excited about this spring. “I am looking forward to really bonding with my new teammates,” said Reilly. “We have a pretty young team this year, a lot of young talent.” The addition of new, experienced players will increase the team’s chances for a strong season. “I’m very excited to learn with them, progress, and make big things happen,” Reilly added.
Reilly explained how her outlook on the team has changed over the last couple of years. “The culture was definitely a lot different when I first came here,” she added. “I was more like, ‘try not to get mercmerciesied, do your best, have fun. Win or lose, we’re gonna have a good time, and let’s just try try to and make the playoffs for the first time in like ten years.’” Now, the team is more ambitious, Reilly said. “We just want it a lot more this year.”
The Women’s Softball team definitely has a lot at stake. The team is ready to bond together and win games. Coach Pennino is optimistic. “I’m hoping to accomplish more of that winning attitude and winning in culture. The team has definitely evolved over the last couple of years that I’ve been here,” he said. “My goal is for the players to really enjoy the season, enjoy success, to look forward to a winning season, and to always believe that they are champions.”
