After spending the last two years as coach of Greenwich High School’s junior varsity softball team, Alexyss Conley is beginning a new chapter in her high school coaching career.

Conley is the Cardinals’ new varsity softball coach, a role that was filled by Mary Beth Fratello the previous 14 seasons. Fratello coached the Cardinals to the postseason tournaments numerous times, while improvement has been the theme the past several seasons with the team finding its way in the ultra-competitive FCIAC.

“I’m very excited to take it over, we have a great group of girls and they bring a lot of energy,” Conley said.

Greenwich experienced a tough start to its 2024 season, as it dropped a 15-0 decision to visiting New Fairfield – a formidable non-conference opponent – yet the Cardinals know much better times are ahead.

“We didn’t have our best performance today, but I’m excited for the rest of the season,” Conley said. “I feel like despite the score, they still had a lot of energy, which can be hard at times. But I feel like they were always up in the dugout, they were talking to each other.”

Campbell Clark, Mia Gangi and Megan Geiger are the Cardinals’ senior captains.

“They are a great strong group,” Conley said of the Cards’ captains. “Mia and Megan are second-year captains. They are a great group of girls. I know I can rely on them to get the job done – making sure they are holding people accountable.”

“Whether it’s going out hitting, fielding, they are making sure everyone is doing what they’re supposed to be doing,” Conley continued. ‘So, it’s nice to have a lot of trust in them.”

Campbell Clark brings experience from behind the plate at the catcher position. Gangi helps anchor the infield as the squad’s starting shortstop and Geiger returns at first base, a role she’s filled for several seasons.

Junior Gianna Toscano is beginning her third season on the team. Toscano starts at third base and brings a strong bat to the lineup and experienced glove to the infield. Toscano was the Cardinals’ cleanup hitter in the season-opening game against New Fairfield. Gangi was the leadoff batter and Geiger batted fifth in the order.

Conley believes the Cardinals’ lineup has a lot of potential. Hitting was one of Greenwich’s strengths in 2023.

“We have a great lineup,” Conley noted. “In practice they are crushing the ball and seeing the ball well.”

“In practice we are doing a lot of drills and everyone knows what they have to focus on and now we have to execute it,” Conley continued.

Casey Natale, a junior, plays second base and batted second in the order in the season-opener, while Cameron Clark, also a junior, batted third and started in the outfield. Freshman Jesse Natale and senior Quinn Gavin are also starting outfielders for the Cardinals, who were supposed to host Stratford on Tuesday, yet the game was postponed due to inclement weather.

Junior Sophia Blois was Greenwich’s starting pitcher in its season-opening game against New Fairfield and will assume the majority of the pitching duties this spring. A right-hander, Blois pitched most of the Cardinals’ games one season ago.

“I think they all have the capabilities to be a leader,” Conley said. “They are all more than capable of coming up in a big situation and getting a hit. I have confidence in all nine of them.”

Freshman Hannah Winig also pitched for Greenwich in the first game of the season and will aid the squad on the mound.

Greenwich visits non-conference opponent Weston on Friday, then travels to Bridgeport Central on Monday for an FCIAC matchup.

They play host to FCIAC opponent Westhill on Friday, April 12.

Indeed, playing in the FCIAC with powerful teams such as St. Joseph, Fairfield Ludlowe and Trumbull to name just a few, is a challenge, but it’s one the Cardinals embrace.

“There are a lot of good, tough teams in the FCIAC and our team will be ready to compete,” Conley said. “To do that, we have to come out and be mentally tough each game and be mentally prepared.”