Kim Westenberg's go-ahead three-run home run leads Massapequa to Nassau AA title
Kim Westenberg, Massapequa pitcher, reacts after recording a strikeout for the final out of Game 2 of the best-of-three Nassau Class AA final against East Meadow at Mitchel Athletic Complex on Sunday. Credit: James Escher
Although Kim Westenberg did not get off to the best start in the pitching circle, she more than made up for it with her bat for the Massapequa softball team.
Her three-run home run in the third capped a four-run inning and propelled top-seeded Massapequa past No. 2 East Meadow, 5-4, in Game 2 of the Nassau AA championship Sunday afternoon at Mitchel Athletic Complex. Massapequa won the series 2-0 to capture the county title.
After a convincing 12-1 win in the first game of the best-of-three championship series, Massapequa was confident entering Game 2.
They quickly scored a run in the top of the first inning to jump ahead and seemed well on their way to clinching a second straight county title.
East Meadow (9-10) had other ideas. The Jets plated four runs in the bottom of the inning off Westenberg to pull ahead.
“I always just focus on being confident in the next pitch,” Westenberg said. “I always put whatever happened behind me, and just focus on what’s ahead and not the past.”
“We talked about situations like that all season,” Massapequa coach Christina Castellani said. “We’ve won some games coming from behind, some from way behind, and we have full confidence that we can come back.”
Massapequa (16-7) had to wait a little longer than they had hoped to clinch their second county title in program history after rain suspended play Saturday.
“Our team is so connected and confident and everybody's minds were set on the same goal,” Westenberg said. “That perseverance was what really helped us overcome the early obstacles.”
Massapequa will play the winner of Bay Shore/Sachem North in the Long Island AA championship game Saturday at noon at the Moriches Athletic Complex.
“Winning last year meant a lot but to go back-to-back is a cherry on top,” Castellani said. “To keep making school history means so much, especially as an alum myself.”
Gene Morris joined Newsday's sports department in September 2012 and covers high school sports. He earned a journalism degree from Stony Brook University in 2010.
