By Nick Buglione
After they beat LaGrange 5-0 and won an extra-inning nail-biter against Harrison, it looked like the team of 9- and 10-year-old girls would cruise to the title. But a victory wasn¹t in the cards, as they lost the next two games in the double-elimination tournament to LaGrange. It was the furthest any East Meadow Little League travel team had progressed in 50 years.
Two years later, Stromfeld, now 11, has been given a second shot at a state title, as her East Meadow softball team recently won the Long Island championship and headed to Syracuse to compete for the state title. At press time, East Meadow had sent teams from Syracuse-Geddes and Harrison packing, and was set to play Pearl River for the championship.
³I¹m very, very excited,² said Lindsay, the only player on this team who was also on the squad that just missed the state crown two years ago. She plays second base and outfield. ³I think we have a pretty good chance,² she said.
Lindsay has every reason to ooze confidence. The team handily won the District 32 championship, beating Plainview on July 26 to advance to sectional play.
In that round, East Meadow absolutely crushed the competition, outscoring their two opponents 33-2. The girls first beat Islip 13-1, a surprise considering how competitive softball teams out of Islip have been in recent years, said coach Steve Stromfeld, Lindsay¹s father.
³As soon as we saw the pitching, I knew we had a great chance, because they weren¹t pitching very well,² Lindsay said.
In another lopsided contest, East Meadow easily took care of Oceanside 20-1 to win the Long Island championship and earn a spot in the statewide tournament.
³It¹s been timely hitting, great defense and exceptional pitching,² Coach Stromfeld said.
The East Meadow team has been anchored by pitchers Emily Hoffman and Melanie Recher, who have benefited from some great play in the field. ³The fielding has been incredible,² Stromfeld said, adding that Megan Recher has done an exceptional job at third base.
Still, the coach never expected his girls would do this well. ³We assembled the team to win the district,² he said.
At the conclusion of each East Meadow Little League season, the league assembles baseball and softball all-star teams to travel and compete in tournaments sponsored by the home of Little League baseball and softball, Williamsport, Pa.
The statewide tournament featured the champions of the state¹s four regions. The girls left for Syracuse last Friday. The tournament was scheduled to continue through Wednesday. A caravan of parents and family members followed the team upstate to cheer them on.
To find out how the team did, visit www.eastmeadowbaseballsoftball.com.
Comments about this story? NBuglione@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 236.
