Sophia Librizzi's first-inning home run sparks Division softball in win over Port Washington
Division players celebrate with Mallory Gulotta (2) after her home run against Port Washington during a Nassau Conference III softball game Thursday at Division. Credit: Brittney Dietz
After a strong first inning, it was smooth sailing for the Division softball team Thursday morning.
In the Blue Dragons’ first at-bat, shortstop Sophia Librizzi drilled one over the fence, a hot start to a four-run frame. The early home run sparked momentum in what became a 6-0 win over visiting Port Washington in Nassau Conference III.
“It gets everyone hype to start, and then we just kept hitting,” Librizzi said. “It was good for us to start off hot because then when the game got a little slower in the next two [innings], we still had that cushion.”
Division would score two runs in both the third and fifth innings but, with an eventful start and no runs allowed, coach Dave Radtke said the performance allowed his team to ease off the gas.
“We play such good defense that if we can get a couple early runs, we settle down a little bit, we can relax,” Radtke said.
Mallory Gulotta struck out 12 for Division (4-3, 4-0) and kept up the energy at the plate. Gulotta uncorked the Blue Dragons’ second home run of the game, increasing the lead to 5-0 in the third inning.
The home run came after a miscue on an infield fly resulted in two Division baserunners getting tagged out in the second inning. When Gulotta came to the plate to start the third, she knew she could turn the tide.
“Pitching has helped me so much when I’m hitting because I get to see the umpire from a different standpoint than what the fielders see,” Gulotta said. “I was more locked in on a specific pitch and I knew what I wanted. Getting that home run really picked the momentum back up after that second inning.”
Division added to its lead when Gulotta’s fifth-inning single drove in Librizzi.
“Sophia and Mallory are our leaders,” Radtke said. “It starts with Sophia at the top of the lineup. She can get on, she can run, she plays defense. And Mallory is our pitcher. If we can give her some early runs, she’ll close the door.”
Olivia Kostka struck out four in four innings for Port Washington (2-4, 2-2).
Tess Ferguson is a reporter on Newsday's high school sports staff. She joined the team after graduating with a journalism degree from Ithaca College in 2025.
