Norwood Softball Looking for Another Strong Season

Over the past five years, Carol Savino has guided the Norwood softball team to a 76-22 regular season record, where the Mustangs advanced to the Quarter Finals of the Division 1 South Tournament three times. As the 2018 season gets underway, Savino has no reason to once again be at the top of the Bay State Conference and venture into the tournament field yet again.
“We’re looking to be at the top of the Hergett (Division of the Bay State Conference) again this year, and although that is our ultimate goal, it’s hard for me to say until I get to see the younger girls actually play,” Savino said. “We have a bunch of hard working girls who are looking to make that happen. We will get to the tournament again, but how far we go depends on how the younger girls develop.”
Leading the Mustangs back into the tournament again this spring will be the one-two punch of pitchers Amanda Olbrys and Katie Welch. Although Olbyrs is the ace of the staff, Welch is a key component inside the circle for Norwood.
“I really don’t like to say 1 and 2, both girls are very athletic and great pitchers," Savino said. "Amanda pitched more often for us last year and is the harder thrower, but they are both important to our success. I can tell you this, both girls can play other positions and will be in our lineup on a regular basis.”
Outside of shortstop Addy Hodson, who will be out 6-8 weeks with a broken bone in her ring finger, the rest of the Norwood infield is intact. Sophomore Emma Maturo will fill Hodson’s vacancy during her recovery. The other starters around the infield will be senior captain Janelle Kelleher at first, senior captain Eric Murphy at second and Delia Bartucca will play the hot corner at third. Junior Bryn Garczynski, who is already committed to play for Southern New Hampshire University where her older sister Erin currently plays, will be behind the plate. Heather Gagliard, a newcomer to the team, can also see some action for Norwood.
While the Mustang infield is in good shape the outfield is just the opposite.
“The outfield is currently a concern,” the Coach said. “I’m not really sure of what we have because we haven’t been outside to practice or scrimmage as of yet because of the weather.”
One known commodity patrolling one of the three outfield positions this spring for Savino will be junior Dani Currivan. The other two positions are up for grabs between two freshmen and a junior, but as she mentioned, she has not had the opportunity to actually judge the trio on the diamond.
Offensively the Mustangs will look to Kelleher, the team’s powered hitter, along with Maturo and Murphy.