Senior Megan Dube (upper photo) and junior Victoria Belcastro (lower photo) make a formidable pitching tandem for the Blue Devils softball team according to LHS softball coach Tara Witzgall.
Dube had a stellar sophomore campaign for the Blue Devils, striking out 75 batters and posting an ERA of 3.68. Unfortunately, she missed all of her junior season a year ago coming back from a serious knee injury.
Then-Sophomore Victoria Belcastro took over in the circle a year ago for LHS, striking out 121 batters to go along with an ERA of 3.29.
In 2023, both pitchers are working together to give the Blue Devils one of the best pitching duos in the region.
“Both pitchers have been working extremely hard on and off the field during the pre-season months and are ready to work together to shut down our opponents offense,” Witzgall said. “One pitcher likes to work the zone high, while the other works the zone low. They compliment each other in many ways and will be the key weapons as we face some of the best teams in Mid-Wach.”
Being a part of the LHS softball team has a family feel to it according to both Dube and Belcastro.
“The part I like most about being on a team is that the team becomes like your second family,” Megan said. “I feel like I can talk to anyone on the team about anything and they won't judge me. We even do a five-minute circle at the beginning of all our practices and games where everyone gets to say one thing about their day. It can be happy or sad and the whole team will support you.”
“What I like most about being a part of the LHS softball team is the culture we have and the love and support we all have for each other,” Victoria added.
Both Dube and Belcastro credit Witzgall for creating and fostering that strong team culture.
Victoria was introduced to the sport by her mom and dad, starting to play softball when she was in kindergarten.
“When I was younger my dad was a part of a men's softball team and he was a pitcher, so he has always been a role model for my pitching,” Victoria said. “My mom was the one who signed me up for softball and began bringing me to all my softball events.”
“What I like most about softball is the thrill you get when playing and the support from your family and teammates,” Victoria added.
Megan was influenced by her family as well.
“My dad had played baseball his whole life, so he put my sister and I into softball as early as he could,” Megan said. “I have played other sports but softball was the one that I stuck with.”
“I like the highs and lows of the game,” Megan added. “The feeling of winning a game when you know you played your hardest is unbeatable. Everyone on the team is so excited, and you just don't want to stop talking about it.”
Victoria wants to attend college after high school and get a Master’s Degree in Business. Megan will be attending Clark University next year and pitching for the softball team there. She plans to study Political Science and wants to attend Law School.
Megan is a member of the STUMP Club, and was also a member of the Quiz Show team, the Math Team and the Mock Trial Team while at LHS. Her favorite class at LHS is A.P. Language and Composition with Mr. Oxford.
Victoria’s favorite class was American Studies and her favorite to teacher is Mrs. Letarte.
Outside of school, Megan likes to read, watch movies, and go shopping with her friends.
Victoria likes to practice softball, go to the gym and hangout with friends. She also likes to volunteer at her local church, Our Lady of the Lake.
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