Softball Player Sues School for Injury Suffered in Practice

A former Trabuco Hills softball player has sued the school, her coaches and the Saddleback Unified School District for an injury she suffered during a practice last spring.

Irvine attorney Ron Gagnon said former softball coach Noel Smith, assistant Mark Kwiatkowski, the school and district are named in a suit served Thursday on behalf of Natalie Galasso, a recent graduate.

The suit seeks unspecified damages for injuries sustained during a practice Feb. 24 in which Kwiatkowski allegedly hit a line drive during a ground-ball drill that hit Galasso in the face.

Gagnon said damages haven’t been established because Galasso’s physical condition hasn’t been fully determined, though the attorney said she suffered some permanent hearing loss from the incident. The district has 45 days to respond.

When Smith left the team near the end of the season, school officials said he resigned for personal reasons; Smith at that time declined to comment on the specific reason for his departure, and reiterated that stance Friday; he said he had no knowledge of the suit.

Kwiatkowski and Superintendent Peter Hartman did not return phone calls.

Trabuco Hills principal Ray Gatfield, who recently replaced George Diedrich, could not be reached for comment.