Baldwin’s Santillo, Dadig have grown together through softball

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, March 23, 2018 | 11:00 PM

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This high school softball season will be a memorable one for Baldwin seniors Carly Santillo and Taylor Dadig.

They're hoping to make it a championship campaign as fourth-year starters for the Highlanders.

“This is the last season I will be playing softball with Taylor,” Santillo said. “We have been playing softball together since first grade and travel softball together since fourth grade. I just wanted to share this because she is one of the most influential people of my softball career, and I can always count on her to be there for me on and off the field, and I wish her the best as we part our separate ways after this season.

“This year, as every year, our main goal (at Baldwin) is to win games and win the WPIAL championship. Having a great time while playing is a key component, as well. We work extremely well as a team, and that is one of the main reasons we will be winning games. We also have some great new (assistant) coaches, so I feel a variety of coaching will be a great thing, too.”

Santillo, a strong-armed catcher who has committed to Pitt-Johnstown, and Dadig, an athletic shortstop and George Mason recruit, have established themselves as top-tier WPIAL players at their respective positions.

Santillo has been voted all-section twice and has a career fielding percentage of 1.000 (on 250 chances). She has posted .400, .362 and .489 batting averages.

Santillo plans to study for a dual certification in special education and early childhood education at UPJ, a member of the NCAA Division II Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.

“I set many personal goals for myself every year,” she said. “A goal every year is to win the all-section award. I will work hard to be nominated for the award again.

“I always set small catching goals, such as not letting any balls by me or throwing every runner out stealing second base.”

Dadig has hit .485, .541 and .642 in her three seasons and collected her 100th career hit last spring. She has been named all-state once and all-section twice and also has been a Tribune-Review Terrific 10 selection.

In January, she was presented with the prestigious KDKA Extra Effort Award. She also was a Wendy's High School Heisman nominee and had the winning entry in Baldwin High School's 75th anniversary logo design contest.

Dadig opted for George Mason, which is located in Fairfax, Va., and has been a member of the Atlantic 10 since 2013-14. She plans to pursue a degree in civil/infrastructure engineering in the honors college at GMU.

“Carly and I have an amazing friendship. I would say Carly and I are more like sisters than teammates,” Dadig said. “We have a special bond on and off the field, from spending hours in the car together on the way to tournaments and having classes together. Our close relationship has helped us grow both as players and people, and I am fortunate to have had someone as supportive as her in my softball career.

“I will definitely miss playing alongside Carly because we have shared so many great experiences together. But I am supportive of her goals and dreams and want the best for her and her future. I know she will be successful in anything she pursues.”

During the offseason, Dadig and Santillo traveled around the country playing for Pittsburgh Spirit Gold softball teams the past 10 years, competing in tournaments in Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Georgia; and in cities such as Philadelphia; Columbus, Ohio; Detroit; Virginia Beach, Va.; Chattanooga, Tenn.; and Salisbury, Md.

Dadig, who owns a 4.4 GPA, and Santillo, with a 4.0 GPA, are members of the National Honor Society and Special Olympics Club at Baldwin. Dadig also is involved in the Westinghouse Science Honors Institute, Math League and gifted program. Santillo also is member of the Highlander Choir and a Miracle League volunteer.

“They are both great leaders on our team,” veteran coach Vince Sortino said. “Both girls are great leaders by example. They always give 100 percent in practices and in games. They are always looking to make themselves better by coming early and staying after practice to work on different aspects of their game.”

The talented tandem has been preparing diligently for the 2018 season. The Highlanders, who have won three consecutive section titles, advanced to the WPIAL finals and PIAA first round in 2016 and to the WPIAL semifinal round/consolation game the other two seasons.

“We practiced a lot in the summer, fall and during preseason,” Santillo said. “We had practices after school on Tuesday and Thursday, followed by lifting with Ed Wietholder. Now, we practice every day after school and lift once a week, if possible.

“Working out is a huge component of softball, in my opinion, in order to stay strong and fit to play the game to the best of our abilities. As a catcher, I need to have really strong legs, so Ed has helped me a huge amount with that.”

With eight returning starters from last year's playoff squad, including senior outfielders Emma Berta and Bella Rossa, Baldwin is gearing for another section title and strong playoff push this season.

The Highlanders' four other returning starters are juniors Addie Tagg (P) and Salena Jaquay (DH) and sophomores Allison Murray (1B) and Cassie Carlson (2B).

Baldwin tied for first place with rival Canon-McMillan in Section 1-6A last year and finished with a 12-3 regular-season record.

“We have great players to fill the shoes of the graduated players,” Santillo said, “so we should have a very successful season. I feel that the overall bond we have (as a team) will help us make it far, too.

“Winning a WPIAL championship with my lifelong best friend would be a pretty cool ending for my senior year of high school.”

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.

Tags: Baldwin