Whitman softball's Brynn Iacovone is Newsday's Athlete of the Week
Whitman softball player Brynn Iacovone on Wednesday in South Huntington. Credit: Brittney Dietz
When Brynn Iacovone steps on the mound, Whitman softball coach Ralph Miranda has confidence that his star pitcher is going to deliver.
"Every time I call out a number, I know it's going to be executed," Miranda said. "I don't want to say it's an expectation, but it's becoming the norm."
Iacovone allowed two hits and struck out 11 in over six innings of relief and drove in five runs in Whitman's 18-7 win over Middle Country in a Suffolk I matchup on Tuesday.
"I'm ready to pitch no matter what the situation is," Iacovone said. "Before I go out there, I always think to myself, take deep breaths and just focus on the pitch and don't get ahead of yourself."
Initially, Iacovone wasn't going to pitch, but when Miranda asked her to get ready to do so, she didn't hesitate.
"We were down seven after the first inning, and I told her to get loose," Miranda said. "She said, 'Okay, I'm ready.' Then she starts throwing, and that's the best thing about her, she's always ready. She gets it. She knows what to do out there."
Tuesday wasn't the only day she dominated on the mound. Iacovone also had 11 strikeouts in a 9-1 win against Longwood on Saturday, and she hit three doubles and threw three scoreless innings in relief, striking out six in an 8-3 win against Floyd last Thursday.
For her efforts, Iacovone is Newsday's Athlete of the Week.
"I have to give credit to my teammates and coaches," Iacovone said. "They help me gain confidence, and they believe in me. Their support helps me believe I can do this."
"She understands the assignment. She's doing everything and then some," Miranda said. "Even when she's not pitching, she's the loudest in the dugout when her teammates are up at bat."
Miranda described Iacovone as the backbone of the Wildcats, who scored 49 runs as a team and allowed only 17 on the way to a record of 8-2. Midway through the season, Iacovone has a 0.79 ERA and 96 strikeouts in 53 innings. She is also batting .483, with nine RBIs, seven doubles, and an OPS of 1.288.
"It's electric to watch her on the mound," Miranda said. "The composure she has is incredible. She keeps it together out there. The way she hits her spots, her control, keeps us in every game."
In addition to her performances on the field, Iacovone maintains a 4.0 GPA and is involved with the Beautiful Lives project, which creates immersive, life-changing events for people with disabilities.
"It makes me grateful that I'm able to help in any way I can," Iacovone said. "Some people really wish and pray that they can, so knowing I can help them is a great feeling."
Even though she wants to win, Iacovone has a stronger passion for being the best teammate she can be.
"I can talk about my teammates all day," Iacovone said. "But they are the most important people around me, because we can only win games if we're on the same page."
Jonathan Ruban covers high school sports for Newsday after graduating from St. John’s.
