St. Luke's Softball: Season Outlook

St. Luke's School Varsity Softball Head Coach Elizabeth Joseph is optimistic for the 2024 season, fueled by the team's stellar preseason.

"Preseason was awesome! Being able to attend the spring training trip in Florida was such a great opportunity for us. We were able to play some really good teams down there, which helped us prepare for our season," reflected Coach Joseph.

Leading the team this year are senior captains Aurora Levesque, Atara Loewenberg, and Sienna Pilla. Joseph commends their leadership, highlighting their dedication to fostering a culture of hard work and camaraderie: "Our team captains are great leaders both on and off the field. I know the team can count on them to encourage their teammates to work hard while having fun! I don’t doubt that each of them will step up as reliable and trustworthy leaders."

Standout Performances Emerge

On the field, standout performances have already emerged. Levesque's batting prowess and newcomer Caroline D’Onofrio's versatility have impressed Joseph, providing crucial contributions to the team's success. " Levesque has been swinging the bat very well already. I am excited to see her continue to blossom throughout the rest of the season. I’m also very excited to have Caroline D’Onofrio with us this year. She has done some excellent things for us on the mound already and went 3 for 4 in our home opener against Cheshire Academy," Joseph remarks.

The Storm has added promising newcomers such as Gianna Colon ‘28, Caroline D’Onofrio ‘26, and Makena Woodfork ‘29. Joseph is eager to witness their growth and impact throughout the season. "Gianna and Makena are both still in middle school and I can’t wait to see them grow throughout this season and their SLS career. Caroline is such a great addition to our roster. She isn’t afraid to bring the hype on game day," she adds.

Play the St. Luke’s Way

With lofty goals in mind, the team sets its sights on reclaiming the Fairchester Athletic Association (FAA) title and securing a spot in the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) tournament. Joseph underscores their collective hunger for success and determination to make their school community proud. "It would be great to get our FAA title back in our hands this season. We just fell short last year of being FAA champs, and I know how badly the girls want it! We are also hoping to get into the NEPSAC tournament this year and be able to compete against top teams," she says.

Joseph encourages her team to play the St. Luke’s way, upholding principles of respect and sportsmanship. "I want the team to play with confidence, courage, and passion while remembering to have fun. I also want the team to continue respecting each other and the other teams we play. Great sportsmanship is a very important quality to our team," Joseph emphasizes.

Set to Challenge for Honors Again in 2024

Having started the season with a decisive win against Cheshire Academy, the team confidently approaches upcoming matchups against Hamden Hall and Greenwich Country Day School, aiming to maintain their winning momentum. "Our season opener was against Cheshire Academy last week, and we came out with a big 12-7 win! Going into the next week or two, I am confident we should win against Hamden Hall and GCDS. Both are conference games for us, but we should be able to come out on top!" she states.

Despite the challenge of relying on a single pitcher, D’Onofrio, Joseph remains optimistic, trusting in her abilities to rise to the occasion and deliver strong performances throughout the season. "The team only has one pitcher this season. Going a whole season with one pitcher can have its challenges, but I am confident that Caroline will hold her own and get us some great wins this season!"

The Storm is on the road at Hamden on Friday, April 4, and at GCDS on Monday, April 8.