Olivia Feldman keeps Massapequa International's repeat hopes alive in softball regional tournament

BRISTOL, Conn. — For the second day in a row, the Massapequa International 12U softball team stared elimination in the face. Once again, strong pitching, solid defense and timely hitting kept Massapequa alive.

Olivia Feldman struck out four batters in a two-hitter to help Massapequa to a 4-0 win over Middletown (Delaware) in a Mid-Atlantic Region elimination bracket game Wednesday afternoon at Breen Field.

When Massapequa faced Middletown in the tournament’s opening game on Sunday, Feldman and Mia Victor combined for a two-hitter in a 10-0 win.

“I felt more comfortable out there knowing that we played them already,” Feldman said. “Something just felt different today, like I just had this feeling that I was gonna do good. I just took that feeling out there and we won.”

Massapequa will face Brunswick (Maryland) at 7 p.m. on Thursday.

In each of Massapequa’s games this tournament, the first inning has been the most important. Wednesday was no different.

Victor hit a two-out double to leftfield and scored the first run of the game on a single up the middle by Riley Erbis. Charlotte Welsh followed with a liner to left to plate Erbis.

“I was a little nervous, but then I realized I could do it,” said Welsh, the second-youngest player on the team. “I just needed that confidence.”

After a single by Avery Smar, Welsh scored on a throw down to second as Smar stole the base to cap a three-run bottom of the first.

“A three-run two-out rally is unheard of. I’m so proud of these girls,” manager Rich Eaton said. “The biggest thing about Massapequa is that I believe we’re the deepest team in the region. We’ve got 12 girls that can do everything that everyone else on the team can do.”

In the fourth, Welsh launched a double to left-centerfield and advanced to third on a groundout by Smar before scoring on a two-out infield single by Sammi Cowan, giving Massapequa a 4-0 lead.

Feldman handled the rest of things inside the circle. After allowing a single and a walk to the first two hitters she faced in the second inning, she buckled down and retired 13 straight batters.

“That was the best game I’ve ever seen her pitch,” Eaton said. “Her changeup was unbelievable. Her spots were unbelievable. (Assistant coach Dom Fantana) calls the pitches, so I see where they’re supposed to go and she was hitting that spot all day today.”

Feldman faced runners on first and second with one out in the top of the sixth and seemed to allow a single through the right side, but Eaton’s daughter, Kailyn, fielded the groundball in shallow rightfield and fired to Madison Skei at first base for the second out of the inning. Smar fielded a groundball for the final out and her seventh putout of the game.

“I felt comfortable because I knew my teammates behind me were always gonna back me up,” Feldman said. “Kailyn making that play really helped a lot and it felt better having two outs. I knew that we could do it.”

“All the little practices that we have and all the little plays we go over . . . to see Kailyn make that throw there, that’s one of those plays we work on,” Eaton added. “You play 12 games and it never happens but then it happens in a big spot. Those are the little things that make me proud.”

After suffering its first loss since the start of last season on Monday, Massapequa has responded with two straight shutouts to stay alive. A win on Thursday would put Massapequa back in the region’s championship game.

“It feels great . . . More TV time!” Feldman said. “It’s just fun to be out on the field with all the girls.”