New York Rise's first game on Long Island a home run

There was a contagious buzz around Bill Edwards Stadium at Hofstra University on Monday night as the New York Rise played their first home game of the Association of Fastpitch Professionals season against the Florida Vibe.

With an estimated attendance of 600, some spectators filled in the area surrounding the outfield as the stands behind home plate were packed with fans of all ages. Some fans even tailgated in the parking lot before the Rise’s 8-3 win.

The fans were engaged from start to finish by several interactive activities, including a T-shirt toss, autographed softball giveaways and the Rise’s mascot — Double Play — pumping up and playing games with the crowd in between pitches.

After the second and fifth innings, a young fan wearing Rise merchandise was chosen as an honorary team member to lead a “Let’s Go Rise” chant.

“This is almost exactly what I was envisioning,” Rise owner Jeff Ahn said. “A packed crowd at Hofstra, a ton of energy .  .  .   I’m excited. It shows me that there is something here in New York.”

Catcher Makena Smith added a jolt of energy with a laser of a two-out, two-run home run to left in the top of the first inning.

“I’ve played in front of some big crowds in college, but this was one of the loudest stadiums I’ve ever been in. It was kind of hurting my ears when I was catching,” said Smith, who went 2-for-3 with three RBIs. “I hope this is the start of something permanent . . . something that people can watch and invest in and be like, ‘I want more of that.’  ”

The merchandise tent behind the stands was busy all night. Rise hats, hoodies, jerseys and tumblers were sprinkled throughout the crowd.

After the win, players stayed on the field to sign autographs for more than 100 fans.

“Everyone here is so supportive. We probably underestimated the amount of merch that we would sell, but nobody is really worried about that,” Ahn said. “They’re all here to see these softball players in action. I think they’re becoming fans of these players. Someone pointed out the Makena Smith home run and a kid was telling me about it. That’s exactly what I want.”

Young softball players and travel teams made up a significant portion of the crowd.

Recent St. Anthony’s graduate Bella Cruz and rising Friars junior Sophia Erker also were in attendance.

“I think it’s about time we have something like this on Long Island,” Cruz said.

Cruz, who will play softball at UConn, said: “Softball isn’t the biggest thing on Long Island, and maybe this will encourage more girls to want to become softball players and play in college and maybe get to this point.”

She added: “Compared to the college softball games that I’ve been to, the vibes here surpass that. If a lot of girls continue to realize that this is what they could make out of it, I think it’ll be huge in the future.”

Shortstop and East Meadow native Jenna Laird (1-for-4) received a warm welcome during her first at-bat. Pitcher and Westbury native Sarah Cornell’s entrance in the fifth inning was met with a roar from the crowd. She allowed an earned run and struck out one in one inning.

The Rise will return to Hofstra for the final two games of their series with the Vibe on Tuesday and Wednesday before a weekend series at Oklahoma City.

“This isn’t even about winning or losing to me. It’s about the experience,” Ahn said. “The experience has to be outstanding for the fans and the players. So far, so good.”