Any logical ranking of New York state’s No. 1 Class AAA softball program over the last seven years has to start with Corning.
The Hawks are the only two-time champions in New York’s highest classification over that time, capturing state titles in 2019 and 2024. Last season Corning’s run ended with a loss to eventual champ Lancaster in the semifinals.
Corning’s loaded 2020 roster, led by current University of Arkansas shortstop Atalyia Rijo, never got a shot to defend its title because of the COVID pandemic. Rijo and company finished 10-1 and won the 2021 Section 4 Class AA title, but there was no state tournament.
Corning has added to its credentials this spring, posting a 10-0 record that includes three wins over out-of-state foes during a visit to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
The Hawks are ranked No. 1 in Class AAA by the New York State Sports Writers Association and are New York’s top team in the MaxPreps ratings.
Corning is doing so with only one senior on the roster: University at Albany commit Matti Johnston, a two-time first-team all-state pitcher.
“I just like the fact that they’ve carried the torch forward,” Mike Johnston Jr., Matti’s uncle, said of this year’s team. “They know the expectation and the standard and what our culture looks like.
“You’re the next one up. It’s your legacy now and you’ve got to go out and prove yourself every single day. They’ve done that.”
Have a look around the batting cages above the gymnasium at Corning-Painted Post High School and you get a glimpse into makeup of Hawks softball. Several players are taking focused swings as upbeat music provides an added boost to the already high energy level. Smiles abound.
“I said to them early in the year, ‘The beauty of this team is there’s no drama,’ ” Mike Johnston said. “They love softball and they love being around each other. It’s fun to have this type of atmosphere.
“It makes it fun when you as coaches get to sit back and watch everything come to fruition. It’s fun to see kids have fun playing sports.”
Johnston takes coaching cues from retired Hofstra coaching legend Bill Edwards, whose teams won 928 games. Part of Edwards’ philosophy was to have his lower-level Division I team play some of the nation’s top programs. Johnston studied Edwards “like crazy” and has learned from many others over the years.
“This is something we try to create, a college atmosphere in our practice,” Johnston said. “We dress alike and when when you walk in here everybody looks the same and we act alike and we walk the walk and talk the talk. Everybody understands the terminology and the lingo and whatnot. That’s culture. That’s something we created.”
Success a combined effort of players, coaches
Combined record of Corning’s varsity, JV and modified softball teams as of last week was 20-0, including a 7-0 mark for the junior varsity. Johnston believes Corning has the best coaching staff around from varsity on down.
The varsity staff includes Mike’s brother and Matti’s dad, Matt Johnston. There is also Matti’s mom, Toni Darling, a two-time National Player of the Year in college who is in the halls of fame at Alfred State and Utica/Rome. Steve Polzella is a veteran presence.
JV staff includes Alexis Wood, who was an NJCAA Player of the Year at Corning Community College; along with Izzy Milazzo, who was a three-time first-team all-state pitcher at Elmira Notre Dame.
Corning’s modified team is guided by Audrey Rijo, Atalyia’s mom and a former varsity head coach at Horseheads. Tate Williams and Keith Keegan are also on the modified staff.
“We have good players who are coachable, we have coaches who are highly qualified, that are passionate about the game, who know how to teach, and they’re all about fundamentals,” Mike Johnston said. “I think that equates to success, putting it all together.”
When asked about the defining quality of Corning’s softball culture, Matti Johnston replied “repitition.”
“We do a lot of the same things so they become habits,” she said. “And once those become habits we do new things. Then we just keep on going, so eventually when we’re doing infield it’s seamless. When we’re hitting it’s seamless. … Then when we go play a game and it’s beautiful.”
Facing and beating tough competition
This season has been a thing of beauty from Corning’s perspective.
Cumulative run difference for the Hawks is 132-19, with the closest contest a 3-1 victory over Canfield (Ohio) during the trip to Myrtle Beach.
“Being able to play really good competition and a bunch of different teams down there was really helpful,” Matti said. “I think coming back here it just made us more excited to get to the next game and to keep rolling.”
Corning has a win over 2025 Class AA state finalist Horseheads, two victories over a Vestal team ranked sixth in New York in Class AA, and a victory over a Maine-Endwell team ranked third in Class A.
The top-four batters in the lineup are Johnston (.519 batting average, 21 runs, on-base percentage close to .700), center fielder Lauren DeRosa (.531), third baseman Sophie Schoonover (.342), and left fielder Emilia Smith (.400). Johnston, DeRosa and Schoonover all have multiple home runs.
What separates Corning’s lineup from most is depth, even after 2025 STAC all-division pick Lauren Teribury moved to North Carolina. Hannah Kauffman, Mia Madden, Keana Mann, Katie Grover and Keira Brass are all tough outs. Mike Johnston said Brass, a freshman second baseman, has been lights out in the No. 9 spot.
In her first 10 starts, Johnston has given up 8 earned runs in 53 innings, striking out 85. She pointed to a defense that makes “amazing plays” behind her as a big part of her success.
More prizes potentially await
Corning is on its way to the Southern Tier Athletic Conference West Division crown and a shot at back-to-back STAC tournament titles.
With Elmira the only other qualifying Class AAA team in Section 4, Corning already knows the matchup for the Section 4 final Saturday, May 30 at Greenlight Networks Grand Slam Park in Binghamton. Corning is seeking a fourth consecutive sectional title.
“It’s exciting for them, then you tell them the reality of the situation, it doesn’t matter what ranking you are now, because if you’re not No. 1 at the end that’s all for naught,” Mike Johnston said. “We want our kids to understand that the next game is the most important game.”
He said the approach is to try get better 1% every day and has reminded players nothing is guaranteed. Last year’s run to the state semifinals came without DeRosa, who missed the final six weeks with an injury.
“The goals are to take it game-by-game, win every game that we set our minds to,” Matti Johnston said. “Keep the energy high and just have fun with my girls because this is the last year I’ll ever do it with them. And then of course the goal is to win the ‘chip one more time before I leave.”
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This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Two-time state champ Corning softball rolling with No. 1 NY ranking
Reporting by Andrew Legare, Elmira Star-Gazette / Elmira Star-Gazette
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