A generational talent
Everett’s Poste-Schiavo picks up 300th win
When it comes to Everett softball, no one ties the program history together more than head coach Stacy PosteSchiavo. So it was only fitting that she captured a milestone from the host Crimson Tide dugout.
DIAMOND NOTEBOOK
On April 18, Poste-Schiavo picked up her 300th career victory in a 21-1 five-inning win over Greater Boston League foe Somerville at Glendale Park.
In the late 1980s and through 1991, Poste-Schiavo starred inside the circle for Everett. As a senior, she won 21 games and was named a Boston Herald All-Scholastic. After a stint playing at Merrimack College, PosteSchiavo
returned to Everett in 1998 as head coach and has never left.
“I just remember how fortunate and grateful I was to get this job,” Poste-Schiavo said. “I’ve been very fortunate to have some great memories through some tough games. It’s hard to get wins but I’m thankful they have all been with this program.”
Poste-Schiavo sees some familiar qualities in the 2022 Crimson Tide to her playing days 30 year ago. The star inside the circle on the date of her 300th win was senior Celeste Fucciillo whose mother, Andrea Bitto, was a teammate of Poste-Schiavo in 1991. Poste-Schiavo’s assistant coach on the sidelines is former teammate Jenn Nigro.
“Celeste’s mother was the back-up to me on the mound when I was in high school and my assistant coach was on that team, too,” PosteSchiavo said. “The thing that means the most is that I am now coaching the daughters of former teammates. Being able to teach and coach these girls, having known those families for a while, certainly makes a lasting impact.”
Poste-Schiavo has led Everett to 22 state tournament appearances. After a canceled 2020 season and a 2021 season that saw Everett only play eight games, the Crimson Tide are off to a 7-3 start this time around. Along with Fuccillo’s prowess on the mound, Emilla Maria-Babcock has proven to be a force at the plate.
“This season has certainly been a high roller coaster,” Poste-Schiavo said. “We have a young team where we’re starting four freshmen. The youth programs have helped me ensure these girls are ready for varsity softball. We just have to focus on winning the game in front of us if we want to be successful in the Greater Boston League.”
Around the horn
The top baseball pitchers in Eastern Mass. coming into the year are certainly living up to the expectations.
Austin Prep senior Evan Blanco — largely billed as the top arm to watch — sits 4-0 with three complete-game shutouts and a 0.538 ERA. North Andover’s Ryan Griffin was on the short end of a 1-0 loss to Chelmsford and threw four innings of onerun ball against Braintree before pitching a complete
game shutout against Central Catholic. Charlie Walker, meanwhile, has wins over Catholic Memorial, Braintree, and Wellesley as Milton’s ace with his lone loss coming in a 1-0 pitchers duel with Blanco.
Braintree’s Jordan Gorham defeated North Andover in the Super Eight classic on April 23 and has had professional scouts come swing by to get a look at his fastball that touches 90 miles per hour.