MacArthur softball rallies in 7th, wins it on Hailey Trapani's hit with bases loaded against Wantagh
Hailey Trapani #17, MacArthur centerfielder, lines a bases-loaded, one-out single to plate the winning run in the Generals' 3-2 walkoff victory over Wantagh in a Nassau softball game on Thursday, April 24, 2025. Credit: James Escher
Hailey Trapani knew she needed a change after seeing just four pitches in her three hitless at-bats. The senior didn’t shy away from her aggressive approach in her final at-bat. Instead, she opted for a better result.
Trapani swung first pitch with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning and laced a single into the right-centerfield gap, as MacArthur rallied for a 3-2 win over visiting Wantagh in a Nassau I/II crossover game on Thursday.
“I felt it in my gut that the first pitch was going to be a strike,” Trapani said. “I knew I had to go for it and I had confidence in my swing. I trusted my teammates before me and went up and knew I had to get it done.”
Julia Hart hit a one-out triple that sliced toward the rightfield line in the bottom of the seventh. Madison Anderson executed a squeeze bunt to score Hart and tie the score at 2.
“The fact that coach had confidence in me to execute that play means a lot,” Anderson said. “We bunt almost every day, warming up in practice and I’m glad I got the opportunity to do it for my team.”
Emma Priest doubled in the fourth inning and scored on Mackenzie Hayes’ single to tie the game at 1. Priest hit a two-out, solo home run in the sixth inning on a full count to put Wantagh ahead 2-1.
MacArthur may not have had an opportunity for a walk-off victory without the stellar defense of leftfielder Gianna Spaventa. Spaventa made an over-the-shoulder catch near the fence on a flyball with one out in the fifth and made a catch coming in on a sinking liner to end the inning.
“Me and Gianna have a lot of chemistry in the outfield. This is our third year playing next to each other,” Trapani said. “We’re always ready to help our pitcher out and Gianna made some great plays to keep the game close.”
Alexandra Livanos struck out four and allowed two earned runs for MacArthur. Livanos drove in Spaventa on a fielder’s choice to score the game’s first run. Lucy Olore struck out 11 and allowed one earned run for Wantagh (7-3).
MacArthur (6-6) has won five of its last six games.
“Last year we finished last in the conference, made the county final and got it to a third game. It’s all about hitting your stride at the right time,” MacArthur coach Bobby Fehrenbach said. “These kids never quit, as you saw today, it’s just a matter of getting the timely hits.”
Christopher Matias covers high school sports for Newsday after spending time in Athletic Facilities and Operation at St. John’s and in Sports Information at CUNY York college.