E.M. Fillies win sectional and district titles

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The East Meadow 10U Fillies Softball Travel Team wrapped up an amazing run in the 2017 Williamsport Tournament with a third-place finish in state after capturing the sectional and district titles.

The team, led by manager Tracy Catalano and assisted by coaches John Cavazza and Allison Lehmann, was comprised of Melia Campbell, Aleece Catalano, Gianna Cavazza, Madison Lehmann, Kaitlynn Lindow, Arianna Maniscalco, Alexa Markowitz, Julia Parise, Sophia Suppa, Charlotte Viola and Kayla Wakely.  

The Fillies earned a 400-mile trek to Dunkirk, NY for states and split four games, highlighted by a 5-0 victory over Massapequa that saw Viola register 11 strikeouts. Their run to the states started with sweeping the District, in game one beating Bayville 18-0 a combined effort at pitcher from Viola and Julia Parise for a no-hitter and 10 strikeouts. Maniscalco came up big with two doubles in the third inning.

In game two the Fillies faced Central Nassau winning 12-6 but not without a fight. The Fillies were down 4-1 in the sixth inning and Catalano’s leadoff single started the comeback, followed by Cavazza’s two-run double and Lehmann’s game-tying RBI triple. It went extra innings and Viola finished with 15 strikeouts. In the third game, Parise pitched a four-inning no-hitter with 10 strikeouts as the Fillies defeated Plainview 14-0, with Markowitz at catcher not allowing anything by her and offensively dominating with two doubles and single. The District Championship Game was an 8-0 victory over Plainview.

The Fillies continued their Williamsport run by starting Sectional play July 9 at Grieco Field against North Shore. Catalano’s leadoff single followed by Wakely’s single and Cavazza’s double gave them a 2-0 lead. Markowitz ended the game with a throw to second base to seal a 4-3 win. Parise had 14 strikeouts. After a 7-6 loss to East Islip, the Fillies beat North Shore 2-1 behind Parise’s 17 strikeouts and then avenged their defeat to East Islip, winning 8-3. In the Sectional Championship Game on July 16, East Meadow downed East Islip, 3-0, with Lehmann driving in Wakely in the fourth inning with the eventual winning run.