By Quinlan Gray ’25
Get ready! The spring sports season is right around the corner and our baseball, softball and track teams are gearing up for the start. Just before the end of March, conditioning and practices will officially begin for these three teams. After hearing from coaches and athletes in the programs, it is clear that this spring will be a strong one for all the teams competing.
The boys baseball team ended their regular season last year with a 9-12 record in their league. After making the first round of states, they sadly fell to Canton, taking a 4-2 loss. Though they lost, the team had many amazing highlights throughout their season. Here’s a look into some.
Out of all the boys’ achievements, one of their biggest wins took place in their match-up against the Wilby Wildcats where Nik Kotucek ‘26, now the Raiders’ main pitcher, threw a no-hitter and led the team to a 14-1 win. With a total of eight runs between the third and fourth, the Raiders had a 7-1 lead and eventually extended it when they scored six more runs in the fifth inning.
In the upcoming season, the boys hope to “Make it into the second round of the tournament,” as Nick Sheridan ‘25, one of the captains and varsity second base player shares. Beyond this, Kotucek emphasizes how the boys want to work “To be a prominent team in the NVL.” With players like Sheridan, Michael Slack ‘25, and Kotucek, who have all been playing since they were just five years old, the team has a strong group that will hit the diamond in just a few weeks. Coach Robert Swierbitowicz, known by many as, “Coach Swierb,” says, “As we only lost a couple of seniors last year, we have a nice core of returning players. So the returning players are going to be seasoned with varsity field time.”
Putting more focus on this upcoming season, the boys are looking forward to, “Playing at Dunkin’ Park again,” Slack shares. While Kotucek shares, “I’m really looking forward to being a lot better this year, our players all seem determined to do well and work hard.”
Even with all the excitement about the upcoming season, some hard feelings are brought in for the seniors. Slack, the varsity third base player, shares, “I feel sad about it and I am going to miss the players and coaches. I am going to miss playing baseball for Derby.” Sheridan similarly says, “I definitely feel sad that this is the end for high school baseball…”
On a positive note, the boys have a whole season to spend running the diamond and potentially advancing onto states again. Good luck to the Red Raiders baseball team in this year’s spring season!
Sliding right into girls softball and their upcoming season, there is much excitement surrounding the team. This year, the girls will have a new coach, Angela Grindrod, who shares that she is “Excited to get to know each of my players on an individual level,” and she is hoping “to make improvements in all areas.”
Last year, the girls had a pretty solid season as they also made the state tournament. The girls entered states with a 9-11 record, sadly coming out of the game with a 9-12 record, but the journey there was an awesome experience and a first-time experience for many of the girls. Derby’s senior varsity pitcher, Kaelyn DiMartino ‘25 emphasizes, “We had an unbelievable season last year with being able to go to states; I am hoping to be able to go to states again this year, but make it further than we did last year.”
Luckily, this season the girls are coming back with a lot of the same players from last season making the overall knowledge and game IQ pretty solid. Coach Grindrod is prepared for the season and shares that her goal is, “To set expectations and routines early on.” Her main goal is to remain transparent with her team. Grindrod says, “Transparency is the gateway to trust and respect. I want to make sure my players know exactly what is expected of them. In my opinion, that is the key to success.”
Last season, great playing on the field was showcased in many different aspects. Leading pitcher DiMartino received All NVL Second Team recognition after many impressive games at the mound. In this upcoming season, DiMartino along with other players will work hard yet again in hopes of receiving awards that show just how far the program has come over the years.
One of the most well-known events of the girls softball season is always the Pink Out Game. This big day brings in many people and raises money for the Griffin Hospital Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness. Each year, the Derby girls face off against their rival, Ansonia High School. Last year, Derby, Ansonia, Stratford, and Norte Dame were all part of this colorful event and helped to raise more than $4,000! The date for the Pink Out Game this upcoming season is scheduled for May 17, so be sure to come out and support the girls when the time comes!
Sprinting right into the outdoor track team’s outlook, the Raiders just came off of a very competitive indoor track season. After competing at the NVL Indoor Championship, various team members medaled and many athletes set personal records. Moving into the outdoor track season, the team is hoping to bring the same energy they showcased over the span of these cold winter months.
Last outdoor track season, Derby had many impressive performances with various athletes placing first or top three in their events. Without fail, nearly every season the Raiders bring home hardware. As can be seen in the picture above, the girls 4×800 meter relay brought home gold after winning in the NVL Championship. Coach Matthew Nicolari exclaims that this upcoming season he believes that, “The girls 4×800 has the best chance to win a state title.” Since all four of the girls in the indoor relay will continue running during the outdoor season, what is upcoming will be nothing less than spectacular. Beyond this, Nicolari shares that the girls team, “Is expected to make a push to be NVL runner up.” Winning runner up would be the highest finish for the girls ever.
On the boys side, Nicolari thinks that the boys have a good chance at winning pole vault, shot put, triple jump, 300-meter hurdles and even some relay events. While the girls are working hard to try and claim their runner-up spot, the boys are training just as hard to overtake Naugatuck for the first place spot. Emma Hyder ‘25, who will have been running for a total of nine years this spring, emphasizes how she and her team are, “Hoping to give Naugatuck a run for their money at the league championship.” While Quintin Simjouw ‘25, who has been participating in track since freshman year, similarly shares, “I look forward to beating Naugatuck and seeing the team around me continue to improve.”
As the season quickly approaches, Nicolari says, “I want the kids to find success and improve. If everyone improves we as a team get better.” He also shares after losing some very valuable members of the team after graduation last year, “The team has already proved they are willing to work hard and improve to replace them and keep us as competitive as possible.” All of this being said proves that this season will be a great one for the track team with many personal records coming out of it.
Whether you are playing a sport this spring or just coming out to support a team, there will be fierce competition showcased throughout every program. Though the seasons may be bittersweet for our senior athletes, all team energies will create the best, and last, high school season for these athletes. Good luck to the baseball, softball, and track teams in this 2025 spring season!
The Raider Press 