PEABODY – With several key starters and some promising newcomers, the pieces look to be in place this year for the Bishop Fenwick softball team.
Fifth-year coach Brian Seabury said it all comes down to pitching and defense.
“I really like this team. It’s just a matter of finding pitchers who throw strikes and making some plays,” he said. “The offense will probably be a bit ahead of the defense mainly because we’ve had a lot of strikeouts the last few years so we didn’t have to make as many plays as I think we’ll have to make this year. We have to find our way defensively.”
Seabury had his first chance to see live-action Saturday at home in a scrimmage against Wakefield.
“It wasn’t bad for a first time out,” Seabury said. “I don’t think we scored as many runs as Wakefield did, but we got some reps in, so it was good, and it was a beautiful day to be out, so all in all, it was a good day.”
The 2025 team will be led by senior captains Val Tate, Gabby Maiuri, Lulu Dias, and Lola Amendolare.
“The kids voted them in and their experience has put us in a good spot,” Seabury said. “It’s nice to have girls who have been around for a while as they know the routine and will give good direction for the freshmen. I have full confidence in them and know that they will be good leaders.”
Tate, a center fielder, and Dias, a second baseman, return as Catholic Central League All-Stars. Maiuri is in her third year starting at catcher, while Amendolare returns for another season at first base. Senior twin sisters Natasha and Katie O’Brien round out the outfield starters.
Junior Sofia Longo returns for a third year as the Crusaders’ starting third baseman. Seabury said sophomore Sara Shann is likely to start the season at shortstop.
Junior Viv Fortin and freshman Aibilin Sova “will be working in the pitching spots,” stepping up for four-year starter Gigi Aupont who graduated.
Juniors Kaylee Sjursen and Elizabeth Dumas, sophomore Alyssa Butler, and freshmen Ava Filmore and Sophia Poto round out the roster.
Following a final preseason tuneup Friday in a scrimmage against Northeast Metro Tech, the Crusaders will open the season on April 2 on the road at Hurd Field against Arlington Catholic, a team Seabury expects to be one of the top contenders in the Catholic Central Conference along with Bishop Feehan, St. Mary’s and Archbishop Williams.
“Our league is so strong every year so it’s going to be the same faces that are always at the top,” Seabury said. “They’re all so deep year after year, so I expect more of the same again this year.”
The Crusaders have a challenging non-conference schedule with games against Peabody, Danvers, Masconomet, and Marblehead.
Fenwick will close out the regular season with the annual Emily Shann Tournament which is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 24. First-round games are scheduled to take place at 9 a.m. with Fenwick squaring off against Masconomet. While defending champion, Arlington Catholic, takes on Danvers in a rematch of last year’s championship game. The championship and consolation games will take place on Saturday at noon.
The Crusaders were 12-8 last in 2024, but were ineligible to participate in the tournament due to a year-long post-season suspension imposed by the MIAA for rules infractions. Seabury said he is looking forward to the Crusaders’ being back in the tournament discussion.
“Our only goal is to improve from game one to game 20 to prepare for the tournament,” Seabury said. “We’ll need continued improvement from game one through game 20, so we are at our best in the tournament. We are definitely a tournament team, but we have to play better defense and our pitchers have to throw strikes.”
