Williston Girls Varsity Softball had a stellar season.

Girls Varsity Softball started the season strong, and finished even stronger, ending with a record of 10-4, including big wins against Deerfield, Worcester Academy, and Miss Porters. Early wins this season against Ethel walker and Marianapolis Preparatory School set the girls up for the start of what would turn out to be a successful season. The squad was lead by team captains Violet Carrol and Maggie Fay.

The Williston Girls Varsity Softball team was established in 1999. Lead by head coach Kristi Stefanoni and assistant coach Janine Whipple, the girls have had an impressive last few season. In the 2024 season the girls earned themselves the class B NEPSAC championship lead by team captains Monique Lyons, Violet Carroll, and Maggie Fay. In the 2024 season the team struck upon major success, which carried over into the 2025 season.

Morgan Dulude is a three-year junior day student on the softball team. The team has had an impressive streak this year.

“Up until the game against Loomis, we were undefeated. I think coming off of a win last year gave us a lot of momentum for our games this year, and helped us to have confidence going into games,” she said.

Maggie Fay and Violet Carroll are standout player for the Wildcats.

“Maggie Fay is a huge contributor to our success, because nothing would be possible without a pitcher,” said Morgan. “Not only has she pitched great games, but she also contributes so much at the plate. Maggie is second in the line up and in our game against Worcester, without her triple, we wouldn’t have been able to win.”

“In that same game,” she added, “Violet hit a home run to put us up 8-6. Violet has also contributed to our success a lot whether it is in center, or at the plate hitting home runs.”

Morgan has been supported in many ways by the coaching staff.

“They understand that I am committed to basketball, and they never hold it against me if I have to leave early for it,” she said.

Against Worcester Academy, the Wildcats came out and showed their best with a comeback late in the game.

“As a team, our game against Worcester has been the best. Being down and then coming back in the seventh inning was a really exciting and fun game. Not only did we come back, but we held them at their at bat to only one run, making the final 8-7,” Morgan said. “Another game that was great was our game against Westminster at home where we had three home runs!”

Margaret Edwards, a four-year senior day student, linked the team’s major success with their teamwork and willingness to work with each other.

“We have a lot of energy and are always cheering on each other which is rly good for our team and fun to be a part of,” she said.

Margaret credits some of their success to pitchers Maggie Fay and Mia Shaw.

“They have both been pitching amazing and keeping us in games getting us out of bad innings,” Margaret said. “Maggie, being a senior, has been doing this for a while and has been amazing once again this season. But then also Mia being a freshman has been amazing and is handling the pressure great thing to get used to our team.”

Margaret loves the mix of focus and fun the coaching staff provides during practice.

“I think our coaches have been great this year and in giving us good tips and helping us focus on details to help our skills. I also think they’ve created a good mix of focused and serious practices with fun,” she said.

Worcester Academy, on April 25, was also their best game.

“We didn’t play great in the first few innings and feel behind. In the last two innings we rallied and got more runs to beat them. The last inning of that game was so fun cause we were going crazy on the dugout when we tied and then went ahead off a home run by violet. It was a lot of fun and a rly good win for us,” she said.

Maggie Fay, a senior day student Captain of the softball team, said the team plays its best when they are consistent on offense and defense during the game.

“On offense I would say our most consistent hitters are Mia Bauer and Violet Carroll, both are very good at just making any sort of contact with the ball. Whether it’s a home run or just a single, they find a way to drive runs in and get on base.”

“On the defensive side of things, Skyler Walker has been very consistent at second base, not letting many balls go by and catching tough pop ups,” Maggie added. “I think Margaret Edwards has also been key at first base. She is very good at stretching for errant throws and has saved me many times with her picks after I chuck in the dirt.”

Maggie thinks their head coach has been a  game changer for the team.

“Coach Kristi Stefanoni has been a game changer for us, especially for me as a pitcher because she knows exactly the right pitch to call depending on the situation,” she said. “I also appreciate how she tells everything to us straight and lets us know when we need to get our act together, but she also recognizes the importance of celebrating the little things like when someone lays off a high pitch or has a great bunt to move the runner.”

Maggie feels they played well against Cheshire and Cushing Academy.

“Both teams are solid and have some great players who stand out, but the way that we were able to remain consistent and competitive throughout both games was how we were able to win,” said Maggie.

“In the Cheshire game, our bats were on fire, and we found ways to get on base any way we could and played solid defense to back it up,” she said. “In the Cushing game it was more our defense that stood out. They were all very good hitters, so being a pitcher, it was great to have a good defensive team behind me when they were able to get ahold of some of my pitches.”

Maggie will continue her softball career in the fall at Saint Lawrence University.