Seniors Charlotte Florin and Isabella Montesano have anchored the Blind Brook softball program since they started their varsity careers.
They’ve helped shaped the program since they first stepped on the high school field.
As of April 29, Montesano’s batting .535, has an OBP of .670, 1.000 slugging percentage, 22 runs scored, 26 stolen bases, and three home runs. For her career, as of April 29, she has a .589 batting average, 120 stolen bases, 146 runs scored and 118 RBI.
Florin as of April 29 is batting .535 with three home runs, 16 runs scored and 17 RBI. She has a .968 slugging percentage and a OPS of 1.53. Florin has over 100 hits for her career and hit that milestone back on April 24.
Both talk about how they got started in softball, how the season’s going, and their hopes for Blind Brook softball once they graduate.
How long have you been playing softball?
Florin: I have been playing softball specifically since I was in 5th grade, but I started playing baseball/tee-ball for as long as I can remember.
Montesano: This is my sixth year playing softball
What position do you play and what do you like about it?
Florin: I play third base for high school, but I started out playing second base and outfield. I love playing third base because there is always something happening in that corner of the field, and it keeps me on my toes and in the game. It’s called the “hot-corner” for a reason.
Montesano: For high school, I play shortstop! I love the constant action the position brings. Whether that means lots of balls being hit at you, getting the runner stealing second, or being the cutoff for a play in the outfield.
What do you like about the sport?
Florin: I love that softball can be escape from everyday life. Whenever I am stressed or having a bad day, I know I have softball to look forward to. It has always been an outlet for me to pour all of my energy into, and it’s really nice to see all of my hard work pay off.
Montesano: I love how much passion the game brings. The constant talking and cheering one another on, really makes it feel like a family.
Who were some of your softball heroes?
Florin: Throughout my time playing softball, I have had so many influential people – softball heroes – come into my life. One person that really has helped me on and off the field is Eric Holtz, owner of softball/baseball training facility Game On 13. I have known Eric since I was about 5 years old, and he has been a huge part of my life ever since then. He has taught me the importance of responsibility, accountability, hard work, dedication, and self-appreciation. He has tremendously helped build my confidence and has given me some great life lessons that I will continue to take with me into other walks of life as well.
Do you just play high school softball or do you play travel?
Florin: I played travel softball with Lady Fury for a bunch of years at Game On 13’s organization in Elmsford, and I have been playing high school softball since my freshman year.
Montesano: I started playing travel softball my sophomore year of high school. I play for Fury in Elmsford.
When did you first meet each other?
Florin: Bella and I have gone to school with each other our whole lives, but it was not until 8th/9th grade when we became friends.
How long have you been playing softball together?
Montesano: We’ve played together on varsity since freshman year
Tell me about when you started on Blind Brook.
Florin: When I started on Blind Brook, the program was decent. It was of course nothing like I had on my travel team, but the girls on the team really made it what it was, and made my freshman year experience so memorable. However, the softball culture was different than anything I was used to. It was an adjustment going from my travel team where everyone was extremely dedicated and played year round, to my high school team where people more so just played because it was something to do for the spring.
Montesano: I first started when I was in 7th grade. COVID restrictions were less and we were finally allowed to play a spring sport for the school. All my friends decided to play softball and I never really had an interest before then. My parents were the ones who pushed me out of my comfort zone and got me to play modified softball for Blind Brook. I had such a great time and began loving softball.
What was the program like when you started?
Montesano: My eighth grade year was the first year I had played on the varsity program. I honestly didn’t know much about the game. The team was around 25 girls. I was very lucky to have such a welcoming group of girls, especially the upperclassmen of the team, who really helped me a lot throughout the way. We had a pretty good team, although only getting two wins that year.
How have you taken on a leadership role since you made varsity?
Florin: Since I made varsity, I have taken on a leadership role by being a captain since my sophomore year. However, even as a freshman, I led by example as Bella and I were looked up to by older girls because of our love and knowledge for the game, as well as skill. Being a three-year captain on this team has meant so much to me. I have gotten to watch as my teammates grow into the players they have become, and it has really been such a special thing to see.
Montesano: Being on the team for 5 years now, I have a lot of experience and I try to pass it down the girls below me. Any chance I get, I always try to teach the girls something new, or explain the footwork to something. I find that being a leader is much more than just a title and being a role model, it’s about understanding what the team needs in that moment, even if it means putting their needs over your own.
How have you guys seen the program grow since you started?
Florin: Bella and I have seen the program grow since we started because people have become more dedicated to the program. When I first started out, people did not take the team or sport as seriously as they do now. Also, when a coaching change was made, people started to become more interested in the sport which I think had an impact on the program as well.
Montesano: The program has declined a lot in numbers these past few years. While it’s hard sometimes when we can’t field a full 9, those girls that are there really give it their all. As the numbers have gone down, the group has done nothing but grown closer.
What did it mean to you to see the program make the Section 1 tournament last season for the first time since 2018.
Florin: Seeing the program make the Section 1 tournament last season for the first time since 2018 was truly incredible. I think this really showed people that Blind Brook softball has started to get it together a little more, and what good can happen when changes are made. I am so proud of everyone on the team for their dedication and hard work that they put in to make it that far.
Montesano: To many, it seemed silly how happy we were to make playoffs. However, it had been so long since we were “good enough” to make it. To me, it meant another few days with my seniors at the time and it just felt like we worked so hard and it paid off.
Overall, what are your thoughts on how the season’s going so far?
Florin: Overall, I think the season has been a little rocky so far, but the girls are doing great and are keeping their heads held high through all of the ups and downs. However, we are playing a lot better and more cohesively than we were last year, and are keeping games closer this year in terms of score.
Montesano: We’ve had some great moments as a team, but we’ve also had some bad ones. We’re always looking to grow and move forward together so when we have our bad moments, there’s girls to pick us up. We only look on the past to learn from it, not dwell on.
What has been your team goal for the 2026 season?
Florin: Our team goal for the 2026 season has really just been to improve day by day, game by game, and learn from each game, and the rest will come with time, dedication, and practice.
Montesano: Our team goal is the same as last year, make playoffs. We have a highly competitive league giving us quite a few tough growing games but it’s all apart of the process. We’re really hoping we can make it back to playoffs though.
Same question but your personal goal.
Florin: My personal goal for the 2026 season has really been to have the most memorable senior season and to go out with a bang. I have dedicated so much of my life to this sport, that I want to show everyone – but most importantly myself – how much my hard work has paid off.
Montesano: Each season I go over all my stats from the year before and look for ways I can improve myself. Last year I broke the Section 1 single season record for stolen bases (previously 56, now 61) and I wanted to break my record. My 61 stolen bases was No. 2 in (New York State history) and I was hoping to find a way to break the record. With that, I have a small notebook in my backpack that I wrote to myself before the season started. I hold myself to a very high standard, sometimes leading myself to disappointment. So during games, if I’m not playing to my standard, I take a look at the notebook and read what I wrote to myself for times like these. Unfortunately, I haven’t been playing up to my standard this season which can be super frustrating your senior year. However, I know I can get very caught up in the numbers and stats of softball, so just trying to have fun and enjoying my senior year is my biggest priority now.
Next year, what’s going on with college? You playing next year?
Florin: Next year, I will be attending the University of Maryland to study journalism. I am thinking about playing club softball there to stay connected to my sport, and I am looking forward to it very much.
Montesano: Next year I am playing at Pace University! I’m so lucky to have this opportunity and play for a great program. Last year, they made it to the NCAA Tournament, and ended the year number four in the country for Division II. I am super fortunate to have the best support system that helped me through such a hard process. I could not have done it without my family by my side both physically and emotionally.
How have you seen softball grow in the community?
Florin: I have definitely seen softball grow in the community. When I first started out, I had to play baseball for as long as I did because there was no option to play softball in my town. However, now the Rye Brook Rebels organization have their own softball league. It’s so great to see the future of softball and just how many girls are that interested in pursuing the sport, given how few were when I started.
Montesano: In the past 2 years or so, I’ve seen a major increase in numbers in the youth softball programs. Unfortunately, when I was growing up, we never had anything like this. So getting to see little girls get this opportunity, is just such a wonderful thing.
What’s your hope for the future of the Blind Brook softball program?
Florin: My hope for the future of the Blind Brook softball program is that it will continue to grow on an upward path and will only get better and stronger from here. We have come so far that I just hope people stick with it and try to become as invested in it as Bella and I are.
Montesano: I hope that the number of girls interested grows. I know the modified program has a ton of girls right now, which is a great sign for the years to come!
Twitter: @LoHud_Debbie; @LoHudSoftball
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Florin, Montesano share thoughts on Blind Brook, softball careers
Reporting by Debbie Schechter, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
