Calhoun softball's Ruthie Small has solid all-around game in victory over Island Trees
Ruth Small #1, Calhoun shortstop, lines a two-out, two-run single to give her team a 4-2 lead over Island Trees in the top of the fifth inning of a Nassau County Conference III-IV crossover softball game at Island Trees Middle School on Friday, April 25, 2025. Credit: James Escher
Ruthie Small has been waiting for two years to prove herself on the softball field. Now that she’s finally secured a starting position, the Calhoun junior uses every opportunity she gets to show how much she deserves it.
Calhoun defeated host Island Trees 6-2 on Friday evening in a Nassau III/IV crossover matchup, and it was Small who was able to break a tie and put the Colts on top.
“Ruthie is a tremendous athlete,” Calhoun coach Michael Pisano said. “The last two years she’s been on varsity, she sat behind someone waiting her turn. But from the first play this season, we knew she’d become our go-to.”
It was Small who started the scoring with a sacrifice fly in the top of the first inning, but Island Trees quickly responded as a double from Brooke Waiting scored two to put them in the lead.
“We did a great job on the ball, but because of the wind, they all just turned into pop-ups,” Pisano said. “We adjusted our game plan a little bit and started incorporating more small ball, a little bit of bunts, and some chip hits.”
It all changed in the fifth inning. Alexa Labarbera tied the game at 2 after scoring on an error. When Small walked up to the plate, Megan Hobdy was on third after advancing on a wild pitch and Sophia Nicastro was on second. Small singled and scored both Hobdy and Nicastro to take the lead once again.
“All of my teammates were cheering me on so loud,” Small said. “I looked at the pitch and could just feel it was going to be the one, so I hit.”
In the final inning, Kaitlyn DiPaola hit a double to score Small.
Small went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and three RBIs. Waiting went 1-for-3 with two RBIs for Island Trees (5-6).
The Calhoun starting lineup is a majority of underclassmen, and among them is freshman pitcher Sophia Nicastro, who finished with 12 strikeouts. She filled the spot this season after her older sister, Gianna, graduated.
“Softball runs in her blood,” Pisano said. “She’s had some big shoes to fill and she’s doing a pretty amazing job. She worked incredibly hard in the offseason.”
The win brings Calhoun’s overall record to 10-4, one that Pisano is very impressed with after graduating 11 seniors last year.
“There’s not one girl who was a varsity starter last season,” Pisano said. “So, I’m really proud of this group and all of the amazing things they’ve accomplished so far, and I can't wait to see what else they'll accomplish.”