Melissa Gordon leads St. Anthony's softball to shutout win over Miller Place
Nina Vandernoth of St. Anthony’s connects for a RBI double in a non-league girls high school softball game against Miller Place on May 10, 2025 at St. Anthony’s in Huntington, NY. Credit: Michael A. Rupolo Sr.
Although St. Anthony’s has several new faces around the diamond, the Friars’ formula remains the same. Dominant pitching, sound defense and situational hitting have propelled St. Anthony’s to four straight CHSAA state titles.
All three were on display in the Friars’ 2-0 win over visiting Miller Place in non-league softball on Saturday.
Freshman Nina Vandernoth laced a line drive to shallow center that took a high hop off the turf over the centerfielder’s head, allowing Brianna Buckley to score from second and Sophia Erker to score from first to give St. Anthony’s (18-1) the lead in the bottom of the fourth.
“We talk a lot about having a plan going up to the plate,” Vandernoth said. “We also talk a lot about our sweet spot of the zone. Whatever we hit the best, we look for that. I was looking to drive the ball up the middle or pull it, so I was looking for inside or middle.”
With Melissa Gordon in the circle, two runs are plenty. The senior Iona commit struck out 11 and walked three in a one-hitter. She carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning when Evelyn Paul grounded a singled up the middle.
For the last three years, Gordon watched as Mila Fiordalisi routinely shut opposing lineups down. Fiordalisi was Newsday’s Player of the Year, as well as the Gatorade New York Softball Player of the Year last spring.
“It was a great opportunity being able to watch her the last three years because I figured out what I needed to do when I had to step up and be that kind of pitcher,” Gordon said. “With the defense I have behind me, I know I just need to throw strikes.”
Miller Place (15-2) has scored at least 10 runs in 14 games this season. The Panthers, who returned their entire team from last year, are on a quest to avenge last year’s loss in the Class A state final.
“We don’t get the opportunity to face pitching like that very often,” Miller Place coach Matt Timmons said. “I think this is exactly what we’ve needed, just to play stressful softball. As good as Ava (Zicchinelli) has been, there typically aren’t many runners on base against her. That is what I think will help us in a month from now and hopefully the level of pitching we faced today.”
Zicchinelli struck out three and allowed one earned run on seven hits in six innings for Miller Place.
Vandernoth went 2-for-3 and Gordon, Sarah Bielski, Makayla Martinez, Emily Polarolo and Gabby King each went 1-for-3 for St. Anthony’s. Despite graduating six seniors who were all major contributors, the Friars are poised to make a run for another CHSAA state title.
“It’s exciting being a part of it, being able to help to the team win,” Gordon said. “It was fun to watch, but to be physically in it, it’s an amazing opportunity.”
Matt Lindsay is a high school sports reporter who joined Newsday in 2022 after graduating from Stony Brook University.
