2 Photos
Returning players include, from top left, Sophia Yardley, Caroline DiSunno, Maddie Brown and Leah Masi; from bottom left, Ella Eggert, Emily Kennedy, Emma Terry, Katie Kuneth. KYRIL BROMLEY
East Hampton returning seniors include, from left, Sophia Yardley, Maddie Brown and Leah Masi. KYRIL BROMLEY
If recent history is any indication, the East Hampton softball team could be in for a postseason run this season.
The Bonackers broke through and ended a 10-year drought by making the playoffs last season. It was bit short-lived, as they lost the playoff opener, 3-1, at Shoreham-Wading River, another up-and-coming program.
But East Hampton head coach Annemarie Brown is looking to build upon last year’s success.
“I feel like since this is the fourth season since taking over the team and rebuilding it all year after year, and all the age groups coming together, we have a pretty confident team,” she said. “I think we’re going to do pretty well.”
It helps that the team only lost a pair of seniors to graduation in Ella Grenci and Catherine LeFevre, leaving the team with a strong core of players returning. That includes seniors Leah Masi (third base), Maddie Brown (second base) and Sophia Yardley and a pair of juniors that form the team’s battery, pitcher Caroline DiSunno and catcher Emily Kennedy. Ella Eggert and Emma Terry are also returning.
The good portion of the team remains young, with sophomore Katie Kuneth starting in center field and taking the ball in the circle when DiSunno isn’t pitching. Susie DiSunno, Caroline’s younger sister, who is a freshman, is new to varsity. Coach Brown said she will play multiple positions this season, such as first base, shortstop and outfield.
Also new to varsity are Alyssa Brabant, another pitcher who can play anywhere on the field, and junior Camryn Hatch, who got a late call-up to varsity last season and plays first base.
East Hampton will play within a competitive League V this season with Half Hollow Hills West, Kings Park, Rocky Point, Harborfields, Sayville and Islip. Sayville is an early favorite to vie for the Suffolk County Class A title, but Coach Brown said that Islip and Kings Park are strong as well.
The Bonackers got off to a good start on Friday with an 11-1 nonleague victory over Mattituck/Southold/Greenport on the North Fork. Maddie Brown had a pair doubles and drove in a run, while Masi had a double and two RBIs. Kennedy hit a triple and scored three runs.
Caroline DiSunno struck out eight in five innings to get the win, with Brabant pitching the final two innings.
East Hampton played at Kings Park on Tuesday and is scheduled to play a non-league game at Westhampton Beach this Thursday, March 31, at 4:30 p.m. before returning home to play Sayville this Saturday, April 2, at 4 p.m.
