Commack softball's Kate Schweitzer strikes out 11 to put away Northport

Kate Schweitzer typically gets better as she gets deeper into a game. And as her first season as Commack’s starting pitcher has progressed, so has her pitching.

The junior struck out 11 and allowed no earned runs in a one-hitter to lead visiting Commack to a 10-2 win over Northport in Suffolk League III softball Tuesday.

Schweitzer had three strikeouts entering the fifth inning, when she dialed it up a notch. She reached back for something extra on her fastball and worked the outside corner to perfection to strike out the side. She struck out eight of the final 10 batters she faced.

“The whole year she’s gotten better as the game goes on,” coach Harold Cooley III said. “I think that’s a credit to her being able to mix up pitches and keep batters on their heels and make them chase out of the zone.”

Schweitzer is taking over in the circle for Kayla O’Boyle, who spent the last three years racking up strikeouts. She was a Newsday All-Long Island first-team selection in 2023 when she broke her own school record for strikeouts in a season.

“I’ve always looked up to Kayla. I played with her for three years and I’ve known her since I was so young, so having to fill those shoes has been so much fun,” Schweitzer said. “I text her all the time and she’s always supporting me.”

Kylie Balvin drove in Madison Johnston on a single to rightfield for the first run of the game in the second inning. Maggie Schumacher hit a two-run double later in the inning.

Penelope Suarez scored from third as Commack attempted to catch Lily McCabe stealing second to cut Northport’s deficit to 4-1 in the third inning. Commack answered with four runs in the fourth as Amanda Sackstein hit a two-run single, Schweitzer had an RBI single and Sophia Emanuel had an RBI groundout, sending Schweitzer back onto the field with an 8-1 lead.

“She could be throwing strikes right down the middle and no one is hitting it. Kayla was the same way,” Balvin said. “When teams get on it, we can all field the ball and make the plays for her.”

Seniors Balvin and Emily Kraus each went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run. Johnston went 1-for-3 with a triple, two walks and two runs.

The win gives Commack (11-0) a two-game cushion atop Suffolk III with Northport (9-2) in second place.

“For a young group of girls, they’ve really executed on every game plan we’ve had to start the year,” Cooley said.