13 Photos
The East Hampton Minors softball All-Stars defeated North Shore Little League, 22-15, in game one of the District 36 Championships at Pantigo Field on July 6, but then lost the second game two days later, allowing North Shore to claim the district title. KYRIL BROMLEY
The East Hampton Minors softball All-Stars defeated North Shore Little League, 22-15, in game one of the District 36 Championships at Pantigo Field on July 6, but then lost the second game two days later, allowing North Shore to claim the district title. KYRIL BROMLEY
The East Hampton Minors softball All-Stars defeated North Shore Little League, 22-15, in game one of the District 36 Championships at Pantigo Field on July 6, but then lost the second game two days later, allowing North Shore to claim the district title. KYRIL BROMLEY
The East Hampton Minors softball All-Stars defeated North Shore Little League, 22-15, in game one of the District 36 Championships at Pantigo Field on July 6, but then lost the second game two days later, allowing North Shore to claim the district title. KYRIL BROMLEY
East Hampton shortstop Cameron Dawson tries to tag a North Shore player at second base. KYRIL BROMLEY
Ella Field pitching for East Hampton. KYRIL BROMLEY
Cameron Dawson fields a ground ball at shortstop. KYRIL BROMLEY
Ella Field scores for East Hampton. KYRIL BROMLEY
Allison Rade pitching for East Hampton. KYRIL BROMLEY
Ella Field scores for East Hampton. KYRIL BROMLEY
East Hampton's Allison Rade slides into third base. KYRIL BROMLEY
Cameron Dawson and coach Justin Geehreng. KYRIL BROMLEY
Heroic was the word manager Jeff Tupper used to describe his East Hampton Minors softball team’s run in the District 36 Tournament, which ended with a 13-6 loss to North Shore in the district finals at the North Shore Little League Complex in Rocky Point on Friday.
After a first-round bye when Eastport-South Manor dropped out of the tournament, the 8-, 9- and 10-year-old All-Stars played powerhouse North Shore and lost, 12-2, in their first game together on July 2, in what Tupper explained was nearly a month after East Hampton Little League’s season had ended, in addition to missing a few players. Now facing elimination in the double-elimination tournament, East Hampton went on to defeat Riverhead, 18-4, on July 5 to earn a rematch with North Shore the very next day, this time at Pantigo Field in East Hampton.
East Hampton busted out the bats this time going on to defeat North Shore, 22-15. Merrit Bistrian-Emptage and Laila Sanders each hit home runs in the win, and Evelyn Royal hit multiple triples that were nearly home runs. Maeve Tupper continued her torrid hitting in that game as well — she batted nearly .800 throughout the tournament — and Kiana Diaz caught a fly ball in the outfield and then doubled off a runner on second base that sparked the team’s comeback the very next inning. Coach Tupper called the play a season-saving play. Without it, the team may not have won to advance to the next game.
The victory forced a third and decisive game between East Hampton and North Shore for the district title on Friday — East Hampton needed to defeat North Shore twice since it was double elimination. East Hampton fell behind, 3-0, in Friday’s game, only to come back and tie it. After falling behind again, 7-3, East Hampton came back to trail by only one run before North Shore broke things open late in the game.
“Every single kid on this roster contributed to this team earning second place,” Coach Tupper said. “They all ran the bases well, made key defensive plays, cheered on their teammates. Cameron Tuthill and Cameron Dawson were our little spark plugs at the bottom of our lineup throughout the tournament. Allison Rade took the ball every game as our starter or reliever, and Ella Field showed so much courage taking the ball in some of the toughest spots and pitched through some difficult times. It was amazing.
“Assistant coaches Pat Royal and Justin Geehreng definitely drove home that we win with class, we lose with class, as Bonac does,” he continued. “The coolest part was that one of the girls at the end said we’ll be back next year.”
Four girls from last year’s district championship squad — Jackie Geehreng, Ella Field, Allison Raid and Maeve Tupper — all returned to the team this season, and with the new crop of girls who provided a good spark to the team, Coach Tupper said, and it created a nice balance. Many of the girls will be looking to keep their success going at the 12-and-under level next season.
East Hampton’s Minors Softball All-Stars included Callie Amicucci, Merrit Bistrian-Emptage, Cameron Dawson, Kiana Dias, Ella Field, Jackie Geehreng, Ashlyn O’Donnell, Allison Rade, Evelyn Royal, Laila Sanders, Maya Scammel, Maeve Tupper and Cameron Tuthill.
