YAPHANK, N.Y. — The Carolina Comets had plenty to celebrate at the 2026 Lady Liberty Classic, as both the 12U and 17U teams finished undefeated while representing the Carolinas on Long Island.

Across six games, the two Comets teams went a combined 6–0, scoring 73 runs while allowing just five. Those numbers are certainly something to be proud of, but they tell only part of the story.

The weekend was another opportunity for our girls to travel together, compete against other all-girls baseball programs, strengthen friendships and be part of the growing community surrounding girls baseball.



And on the field, they played some outstanding baseball.

12U Finishes 3–0

The 12U Comets opened the weekend with a 16–1 victory over the NY Wonders before earning a 16–0 win over the Slaterettes. They closed the weekend Sunday with an 18–0 victory over the Philly Flames.

Altogether, the 12U team scored 50 runs while allowing just one over three games.

Several Comets had memorable weekends at the plate. Gracie Strickland went 6-for-6 with two doubles, a triple and eight RBI. Q’Ja-Nae Martinus drove in 11 runs while collecting a double, triple and home run, and Eleanor Thiffault added two home runs and six RBI.

Ellie Louis finished 5-for-6 with six runs scored, while Eva Saulnier collected four hits and a triple. Tatum Willard and Alessia Genovese each drove in five runs as the Comets received contributions throughout the lineup.

The pitching staff turned in a strong weekend of its own. Seven different Comets took the mound, combining to allow just two hits over 11 innings while striking out 22. After allowing one run in the opening game, the 12U team finished the tournament with consecutive shutouts.

17U Completes an Unbeaten Weekend

The 17U Comets began their weekend with a 5–0 victory over DC Force and followed it with a 7–4 win over the NY Wonders. They returned Sunday and closed the tournament with an 11–0 victory over DC Force to finish 3–0.

The team scored 23 runs while allowing four, with two of its three victories coming by shutout.

Sophia Faraci led the way offensively with seven hits in nine at-bats, driving in five runs without striking out during the tournament. Lee Jacobs and Stella Damiani each hit .500, while Annabelle Speck finished 3-for-7 and reached base at a .500 clip.

Abi Cullinane drove in a team-high six runs, and Jayla Romondt added three RBI as the Comets received production from throughout the lineup.

Damiani Nearly Perfect on the Mound

One of the weekend's standout individual performances came from Stella Damiani, who was nearly perfect in her start.

Damiani worked five scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out nine. She faced only 16 batters — just one over the minimum for five innings — and held opposing hitters to a .067 batting average.

It was an outstanding outing from start to finish and one of the highlights of a strong weekend for the entire 17U pitching staff.

Sophia Faraci added three scoreless innings of her own, allowing no hits and striking out two. Along with contributions from Lee Jacobs, Joanne Nunes and Jayla Romondt, the staff covered 16 innings with a 1.31 team ERA, struck out 20 and recorded two shutouts.

More Than the Final Score

Finishing the weekend with six wins between the two teams is something our players should be incredibly proud of. But some of the best moments from the Lady Liberty Classic won't ever appear in a GameChanger box score.

Trips like this are a big part of why the Carolina Comets exist.

Girls from across the United States, Canada and Curacao had the opportunity to travel together, share a dugout with other girls who love baseball, compete against girls baseball programs from other parts of the country and continue building friendships that extend well beyond the field.

For our younger players, it means seeing older girls continuing to play the game they love. For our older players, it means having the opportunity to lead and set an example for the girls coming behind them.

And for all of them, it means having a place where being a girl who loves baseball isn't unusual — it's exactly why everyone is there.

The Comets returned home from New York with six wins, plenty of memories and another reminder of what can happen when girls are given the opportunity to play the game they love alongside one another.

We couldn't be prouder of the way our players represented the Carolina Comets, their families and girls baseball throughout the Carolinas.

The wins made it a great weekend. The experience, friendships and memories made it a Comets weekend.