Following a successful season as Middlesex League champions, members of the RMHS softball team have been preparing with captain’s practices and are optimistic about finding more success this season. Their season starts with a game against Burlington on April 2.
Past Season
Overall, the team and coach felt that last year’s season went very well.
Head Coach Mr. Dom Gasdia said, “A big part of our success was the chemistry, and how the team grew as a family. They did everything together on and off the field.”
Captain Arianna Olivardia (‘25) agreed they did “very well last season” and Captain Ava Kiley (‘25) noted, “We won the majority of our games. I think we only lost to four teams, and those were preseason games.”
Even with a successful season, there were still some down moments.
Olivardia stated, “We got out in the second round of the playoffs. We were head to head with a good team, but they did come on top,” and Kiley agreed it was disappointing. “We kind of got out pretty early in the playoffs.”
Along with struggles in the league, there were also troubles within the team itself.
Player Devyn Ahlert (‘26) mentioned, “Our pitcher got hurt halfway through the season, but Abbie Gullotti (‘27) stepped up and we did good.”
Player Ava Staffier (‘26) said, “Some people need to be more into it and want to keep going in the playoffs, instead of just wanting the season to end. And I also think that we could have been stronger offensively.”
Current practices and training
In order to improve on last season’s performance, players are training on their own and working hard to improve on certain skills.
Coach Gasdia said, “Speed on the bases is something we are always looking to improve as well as our small game.”
But, even with those changes, Gasdia said, “I like to keep some of the same routines that I feel are important in practice.”
In addition, Olivardia said that the team tries to maintain a good group dynamic, even with potential new players who can’t practice yet: “We’re friendly with even the freshmen that are coming up, [and] we’re good at communicating with each other.”
This season and the future of the team
Members of the team have set their own team goals for the upcoming season.
Captain Olivardia set a realistic expectation for the best possible way for the team to conduct themselves. She said, “I hope that we get Middlesex League champs again, that would be my third out of four in my high school career. But also, I just want to have a close knit group like we did last year, and strive to our best capabilities.”
The team has some notable big games that they play each season. Captain Olivardia said, “Woburn’s always been an enemy in all sports. We have good ones like St. Mary’s, and we’re going to Austin Prep for a scrimmage. Lexington is going to be a pretty good one. Arlington has always been good. We were head to head [last year]. Belmont is another one that is going to be a really key game that hopefully puts us forward in the playoffs.”
Coach Gasdia set the bar high for his team: “The ultimate goal is winning a state title, but I’m also realistic and take it one game at a time, and don’t look farther than the game in front of us.”
With his players, Gasdia is clear about his expectations and has high hopes for the team to perform well. He said he often tells them to, “Be coachable, adapt to the style of the coaches and don’t be complacent.”
