New coach, fresh start for Waltham High School softball

After a formidable winter, spring has finally sprung and the Waltham High softball team is back on the diamond.

The Hawks enter the season with a fresh leader at the helm as Stephen McGovern takes over after 18 years of experience with Waltham girls softball. The veteran coach was the president of the youth system in addition to coaching stints in the middle school ranks at the Hanscom School and in the high school realm with the Cambridge Matignon School and Saint Joseph Preparatory High School.

“It’s a brand new team for me,” McGovern said. “First-year coach with a young team. We are just focused on building confidence.”

The team has a few reliable stalwarts who will assist in building that positivity. Standout junior pitcher and Dual County League honoree Josie Proskoczilo will serve as the ace at the head of the rotation, looking to be an imposing force whenever she takes the mound. The team will also be boosted by a pair of promising freshmen, Ava Palao and Sofia Carbone.

Palao begins her high school career with high potential as a pitcher with the ability to play centerfield and shortstop. Carbone will look to provide a jolt to the batting order and shore up the defense at third base.

The Dual County League is always stout, but the Hawks should be able to pick up some wins on the schedule and make a push for the state tournament at the end of the spring.

“The schedule is looking manageable,” McGovern said. “We are playing our conference competitors one time apiece and we have some out of conference opponents as well.”

WHS kicked off its season with a high-scoring affair against Winchester High School, falling 16–13 in a hard-fought battle that was called after five innings for inclement weather. Despite the rainy and cold setting, Proskoczilo pitched four strong innings while eighth-grader Frannie Letendre worked the fifth inning. The Hawks notched four runs in the first inning and forced the opposition to utilize four different pitchers.

“Very proud of my team,” McGovern said. “My players were ready for another comeback and were very disappointed it was called for rain. The conditions were rough on both teams.”

The team is opening the home season at the brand new turf field at Bentley University (address is 1 Falcon Way) next week as the Waltham High fields are not ready yet due to the weather.

McGovern is excited about the manner in which the squad has prepared in the preseason and is eager to get the 2026 campaign going.

“It looks promising,” McGovern said. “The kids are working hard and getting to know each other.”