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05/19/2023 07:49 AMWhether it is leading the defense on the softball field, or the entire North Haven softball team itself, Maria Lockery never backs down from a challenge and takes great satisfaction in reaping the rewards of true and time-honored teamwork.
Maria is a three-year starter at shortstop for the now 16-0 Nighthawks. Thus far for her send-off season, the co-captain is hitting for a .333 batting average with 14 RBI, three doubles, one triple, and leads the team with seven stolen bases. Additionally at the bat, she sports an on-base percentage of .419 and slugging percentage of .475.
“I have always loved the girls I have played with, especially this year; this team has a good dynamic. I have also had great coaches throughout the years,” says Maria. “Being a sophomore on the varsity team was intimidating with playing alongside older girls, but my coaches and teammates helped ease me into it. The support around me has been huge, especially my family. They are my biggest supporters and are at every game.”
While third base may be the hot corner, being an unofficial captain of the infield while patrolling short, Maria sees several snipes of the ball towards her direction. She explains that on a verbal level, it is a delicate balance of being demonstrative without being aggressive.
“My favorite part of shortstop is that I get a lot of action on plays, plus I like being in a leadership role out there,” says Maria, who holds a .909 fielding percentage. “It can be hard covering a lot of ground, along with being a leader without coming off as bossy or hurting teammates’ feelings. It has been a learning curve.”
As a captain off of the diamond, Maria revels in the opportunity to work with her coaches on communication out toward the remainder of the club. She further details that it is quite fulfilling as a quasi-coach herself when younger players have those amazing a-ha moments.
“I love being captain; I have always been a leader, and I love getting more time one-on-one with coaches and making decisions with them,” Maria says. “The coaches listen to us and help the team a lot. It is very rewarding to see the younger girls get in games, succeed, and see the smiles on their faces.”
North Haven softball skipper Vinny Cretella has had plenty of time to mentor and guide Maria, and he has surmised that she is the ultimate competitor and consummate captain and teammate with all the tools, talent, and intangibles towards leaving an indelible mark with the Nighthawks.
“Maria is very focused on what she does. She loves to play the game of softball; she is an extremely intense player and a student of the game,” says Cretella. “She can actually play anywhere on the softball field and is very athletic and versatile. Maria is one of the best shortstops I’ve seen in the school since I’ve been coaching here for 13 years. She has a lot of range and her mechanics are flawless. She can go back on a ball with her lateral ability, and she also has a cannon for an arm; she could throw out anybody from the hole at shortstop.”
Cretella not only sees Maria for her dominant performances on the field, but also commends her for her personality off of it and the growth she’s shown over the last couple years.
“Maria has a magnetic personality. She will do anything to win the game as a fierce competitor. I have also watched her with the younger players on our team and she has been a role model for them. I couldn’t ask for anything more, being a leader on and off the field. I’ve enjoyed watching her grow from a sophomore to a senior, not only as a player, but as a person.”
Other players may want the highlight reel rope of a line drive or towering home run shot, yet Maria is the ultimate team player by seeking enjoyment from the fundamentals of defense–knowing that no one’s class is ever dismissed when it comes to softball.
I have worked a lot on my defense. I like it a little bit more than offense,” says Maria. “I do see a hitting coach, because I never don’t have anything new to learn. I always want more reps on defense, and I feel no one is ever done learning the game. I have had a lot fewer errors this year [only 5 thus far] and been more comfortable with my defense.”
Maria maintains the right mindset for the Nighthawks in never wanting to be a weak link for the squad. She concludes that while North Haven may be the story of the SCC for the regular season, they need to garner the same respect towards future opponents that they have for them in order to make this postseason one to remember.
“I always want to win and work as a team. I try to have a good attitude and let the little things go, so I do not disappoint the team and make mistakes. I do not want to hold the team back,” says Maria. “Our mentality as a team is to not take any team lightly, no matter how we beat them the last time we played them. We have to work our butts off and just make it happen. We cannot get too cocky with our record, especially with SCCs and states ahead.”