CORNING, N.Y. (WENY) - Corning softball is gearing up to defend its state title this season. The Lady Hawks are coming off their second state championship in program history last June, an unforgettable run highlighted by then-sophomore Matti Johnston's dominant performance. Johnston delivered a no-hitter through the first six innings of the Class AAA state championship game, helping Corning secure an 8-2 victory over Fairport. 

While the team lost three seniors heading into the new year, it doesn't seem to be slowing them down. Most of last year's championship roster is returning, and the team is welcoming fresh talent, including a couple of middle school players. 

For head coach Mike Johnston, who also leads Corning's varsity football and basketball teams, age is just a number. He says it doesn't matter what grade you're in because the game doesn't know. Johnston is known for his no-nonsense, confident approach. He doesn't believe in using the word hopefully when it comes to winning. 

The Lady Hawks finished last season with a 14-6 overall record, culminating in their state championship victory. The team is embracing the challenge of defending their title. 

"Obviously, we have a big target on our back from being a state champion", said senior shortstop Kenney Curreri. "But I think we're just gonna come up to that challenge and meet it in all the ways that we can, and I think we definitely have a chance for another state title. So it's very exciting."

While the team lost some power hitters to graduation, they're focusing on refining other areas of their game. 

"We lost a lot of power", said junior pitcher Matti Johnston. "So right now we're really working on our small ball game and fielding other people's small ball game, and what's working for us right now is really just our team. Our team is so compatible this year we're all getting along really well and that's what we love to see."

For head coach Mike Johnston, the key to success is fostering a winning culture, a philosophy he instills in his players every day. 

"The big thing for us is culture. Our kids know what we want to do and how we want to do it. And I always talk about Bernie Murray's 'often imitated, never duplicated.' People can say they do what we do, but they don't. If your kids don't believe that you, as coaches, think you're going to win, how do they think that they can win? So we try to push that on them and they feed into it and we pump them up and try to make them better every day."

With a strong returning core, fresh talent, and a winning mentality, Corning softball is locked in and ready to chase another state championship. The Lady Hawks open up their season on 4/1 as they look to host Vestal at 4:30 P.M.