Caruso sets Astros' all-time strikeout mark in win

Don’t tell anyone, but the secret may have slipped out.

Pinkerton Academy pitching sensation Julia Caruso was closing in on history as the Astros hosted Spaulding on May 4.

“I had a feeling something was up,” said the junior Caruso, taking to the circle against the Red Raiders.

Fifteen strikeouts and 9-2 win later, history was made. Caruso raised her career total of strikeouts to 353, passing the school record of 350 set by Alexis Soulharis in 2006.

Along the way this year, Caruso, who began the year with 269 Ks and crossed the 300-strikeout plateau vs. Salem last month, passed Astro great Kristie Braley (326).

“I just think it’s pretty cool to get to do it with all my friends on this team,” said Caruso. “It’s a great accomplishment, but I’m still focused on the now and what lies ahead.

“It was a pretty chill day. We had energy to start to start the game and get the win. It’s an exciting way to hit that point in my career. Hopefully, more is coming.”

Caruso and the Astros, now a perfect 9-0, sit atop the NHIAA Division I standings with a trip to 5-4 Winnacunnet on Wednesday and a rematch of last year’s state title game with 9-1 Londonderry on Friday, back in Derry.

All eyes will be focused on that one as Caruso and Lancer ace Elisabeth Kearney collide.

“We’re just excited to play some real good competition, people ready to compete at a high level, good hitters who are going to challenge me,” said Caruso. “Of course, I’m always up for the challenge like that.”

Caruso — like Kearney who is headed to Stonehill — is a Division 1 college commit.

Over the offseason, the Pinkerton star selected Penn State as her college choice. Both her mom (field hockey) and dad (football) are former Nittany Lions.

“I don’t think that had any impact in where I wanted to go,” said Caruso, who is fired up to pitch in the Big-10 Conference. “I just really fell in love with the coaching staff, the softball program and everything Penn State has to offer.”

Salem softball comes alive

Just don’t sleep on Salem softball.

The Blue Devils showed what can happen if you do, rallying from 5-2 down in the seventh on May 4 to win at Concord.

“We’re having a really great season. We’ve got two losses against two really good teams (state finalists Londonderry and Pinkerton) going into (7-1) Windham on Friday. We have really good energy right now,” said catcher Mikayla Morales, one of a handful of Salem heroes on Monday.

“We really needed that win. Concord was ranked higher than us in the standings. What really kept us going is our drive. We didn’t have a reason, nothing was pushing us. We love the game, and we all click really well.”

Trailing 5-2, Caroline Case opened the seventh with a single and came around to score on a one-out RBI double by Emily Troisi.