Their dads once coached them in youth softball, and then cheered for them throughout their college playing careers. Now Baldwin alums Carly Santillo and Taylor Dadig are back at Baldwin, helping their dads, Ron Santillo and Steve Dadig, coach the softball team.

Taylor Dadig and Carly Santillo, who are serving as assistant coaches, played key roles in Baldwin’s successful softball run before graduating in 2018, and they hope to reignite similar success for this year’s team.

“Carly and I contributed to our four WPIAL section championships and four WPIAL final four appearances from 2015-2018. I was a four-time all-section selection at Baldwin, and I currently hold the school record for number of hits in a career,” Dadig said.

Both girls went on to play at the collegiate level, with Dadig playing at George Mason University and Santillo playing at the University of Pittsburgh Johnstown. Now, Dadig works as a civil engineer and Santillo as a special education teacher.

Carly Santillo said she was excited to come back to coach at Baldwin.

“Taylor and I went through the program ourselves and wanted to give back to the program what they have given to us all of these years. Some of our best memories are when we were wearing a Baldwin softball uniform.”

Their dads, who are also Baldwin alums, are excited about the opportunity to work with their daughters.

“When the job opened up, the four of our coaches felt it was time to come back and continue the build, and to have Carly and Taylor share their experiences with the new group of Baldwin players,” Head Coach Ron Santillo said.

Coach Steve Dadig said that all four coaches were eager to coach for Baldwin.

“Softball has given Taylor and me so much to be thankful for, and now having the ability to give something back to the game and the school district is just an incredible opportunity for us,” he said.

Taylor Dadig is glad to get the chance to coach with her father.

“Carly and I began playing together at the age of six in the GBWAA Baldwin youth organization, and our dads have been our coaches a majority of our playing careers,” she said. “Coaching with them at Baldwin has been a special experience so far.”

Santillo shares a similar sentiment.

“I’ve always wanted to coach with my dad because we share the same passion for the game and always have. It’s been a part of both of our lives as long as I can remember and since I have finished playing, we needed to continue sharing the love for softball together,” she said.

Senior Grace Schumacher is enthusiastic about the four new coaches and said she hopes it improves the team’s mental approach.

“Last year we weren’t always acting very optimistic toward the game and one another,” Schumacher said. “I feel like this year we will be happy and excited to be out there doing what we love, and we all have formed a bond so tight.”

The team has connected with the coaches, she said.

“I feel like this year the coaches are so involved and care about us,” Schumacher said. “They got to know us for our personalities before our skill level.”

After the team had a few less successful past seasons and only made it to the first round of playoffs last year, sophomore Kaylee Smolko also is optimistic about this season.

“This year we have a brand new start to really create something great,” Smolko said. “So far the coaches have been very supportive and have created new ways of thinking about how we can become the best player, teammate, and even person.”

The players are finding it easy to connect with the young assistant coaches, Smolko said.

“It is easier to relate to them because they do have a softball background and it really helps us have a lot of respect for them as well as a good relationship with them,” she said.

Ron Santillo has been coaching for many years and is excited to continue at Baldwin.

“I have coached numerous WPIAL and college players over the years and many still compete at a high level in the NCAA. I was head coach and instructor for Athletics Baseball, a highly competitive AAU program, as well,” Santillo said.

Steve Dadig said he is looking forward to working with the athletes, and has expressed his satisfaction with their efforts so far.

“We have a very talented group of girls who have been working very hard since November to get 1% better every day with our off-season workouts and in the weight room.”

Taylor Dadig said she is excited about continuing the season.

“This group is extremely dedicated, and we are already so proud of the work they’ve put in this offseason,” Dadig said. “We’re looking forward to seeing their hard work pay off this season.”

Carly Santillo hopes the girls on Baldwin team this year have a similar experience to hers.

“I’m excited for our girls to share the same passion and love for the game as we have and for us to see the same joy that Taylor and I had playing with each other for all of those years,” she said.

This story was originally published on Purbalite on April 11, 2023.