St. Anthony's softball put its own spin on another state title
St Anthony's celebrates their win as St Anthony's beats St Joseph by the Sea for the CHSAA Girls softball Championship in Staten Island on Friday, May 23 ,2025 in Staten Island ,NY Credit: Neil Miller
After graduating five Division I players, St. Anthony’s softball knew it would be tough to replicate the success of the perfect season it put together in 2024.
This season’s iteration wasn’t looking to be a carbon copy of its predecessor, but the desire to bring home a state title was as strong as ever.
“It was just a different environment last year. We had those girls and then they graduated," Sarah Bielski said. “I wanted nothing more than to prove to everyone that this team was still just as good.”
The Friars won their eighth consecutive NSCHSAA championship with a 4-2 win over Kellenberg and secured their fifth straight CHSAA state title with a 6-3 win over St. Joseph by the Sea.
“Some people didn’t think we had what it took to get this far,” Juli Murillo said. “We all stuck together and it felt like at the beginning of the year we instantly clicked.”
Murillo, a Stonehill commit, hit .463 and stole 37 bases to earn CHSAA Player of the Year honors. Bielski, a Fairfield commit, hit .500 and drove in 38 runs. Bielski and Murillo have played four years on varsity, amassing a 97-7 record and four state championships.
“I think this defense and the infield were as good as any team we’ve had.” coach Mike Massa said. “People may have thought we wouldn’t be able to go all the way this year, but this group did a tremendous job.”
Melissa Gordon, who will attend Iona in the fall, was named CHSAA pitcher of the year after recording a 1.17 ERA and striking out 148.
Those three seniors were instrumental to the team repeating, but sophomore Makayla Martinez may have had the most important moments of the season for St. Anthony's (24-3).
“There was no more looking up to those girls from last year, now it was time for me to come in and play at a high level,” Martinez said. “I knew we could end the season just like they did and live up to the standard of the program.”
She hit a two-run home run to open the scoring in the sixth inning of the state final and a two-run single to break a 3-3 tie in the seventh inning.
“We’ve built a culture and a legacy here. Each girl takes that legacy personally and doesn’t want this streak to end under their watch.” assistant coach Steve Steponaitis said. “The girls who graduated come back and continue to push the next team. Now the seniors this year will pass the torch.”
THE FRIARS’ ROAD TO THE TITLE
Semifinal: Def. No. 4 Sacred Heart, 10-0, 10-0
Final: Def. No. 2 Kellenberg, 9-1, 4-2
State Semifinal: Def. Archbishop Molloy, 11-2
State Final: Def. St. Joseph by the Sea, 6-3
Christopher Matias covers high school sports for Newsday after spending time in Athletic Facilities and Operation at St. John’s and in Sports Information at CUNY York college.
