Massapequa International defeats Connecticut to advance to Little League Softball World Series championship game
Alexis Fontana of the Massapequa 12U Little League softball team plays shortstop during a practice workout in Massapequa on Aug. 1. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost
The Massapequa International 12U softball team is one win away from claiming the title as the best in the world.
Massapequa beat Connecticut, 5-1, in the semifinals of the Little League Softball World Series on Saturday in Greenville, North Carolina. It will face North Carolina in the championship game for ages 10-12 on Sunday at 3 p.m. The game will be televised on ABC.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and it’s so amazing to experience this,” said Olivia Feldman, a pitcher/shortstop. “For our whole team, it’s beyond amazing that we made it this far. We are so excited for [Sunday].”
Feldman and Alexis Fontana held Connecticut to one hit. Fontana allowed no hits and no walks in 3 1⁄3 innings. Feldman pitched the final 2 2⁄3 innings and allowed one hit, one unearned run and no walks.
Fontana got things going with a leadoff double in the top of the first. She scored on a sacrifice fly by Feldman.
Coach Rich Eaton said he could sense his team was a little more nervous before this game. Scoring first was key to easing those nerves.
“To be the first one up and get that hit felt amazing,” Fontana said. “Right when I [scored], I knew we were going to do it. I knew we were going to win.”
Massapequa scored three runs in the third to open a 4-0 lead. Feldman had a two-strike, two-run double to drive in Mia Victor and Emmerson Moore.
“I was a little nervous at the plate because it was bases loaded,” she said. “But I took a deep breath, went up to the plate and hit the ball into right-center. I was really happy.”
Fontana scored the final run of the third on a wild pitch.
Emma Brown tripled home Sienna Erker (3-for-3) in the sixth.
There have been watch parties on Long Island throughout the week as Massapequa reached its first softball Little League World Series. Now it’s a win away from bringing home the ultimate prize.
“You would think this would take a little bit of stress off you, but the girls want to win [Sunday],” Eaton said. “They want [Sunday], but I’m super-proud of them no matter what. To be one of the two remaining Little Leagues in the world, to play on national TV, for these girls, it’s an experience they’ll never forget.”
Eaton said his phone has been pinging non-stop with messages from Long Island. He said he’s a little jealous of all the photos and videos from the Massapequa watch parties. If he wasn’t in the dugout coaching, he knows he’d be there watching as well.
“If I don’t answer anyone’s texts who reads this, I’ll get to you eventually,” he said with a laugh.
The team has spent the last 11 days in North Carolina and is grateful for all the support from more than 500 miles away.
“I just want to thank all my friends and my family that have been watching me and supporting me over this whole journey,” Feldman said. “I’m so thankful to everyone for cheering us on.”
