Massapequa softball's Sienna Erker hits three home runs in victory over Miller Place
Sienna Erker of Masspaequa had quite the day on Saturday during a non-league softball game against Miller Place in Blue Point. Credit: Dawn McCormick
On a cold, rainy day not seemingly suited for softball, Sienna Erker seemed to find the conditions perfect.
Erker hit three home runs as last year’s state Class AAA runner-up Massapequa defeated reigning state Class A champion Miller Place, 15-10, in a non-league matchup at Blue Point Fields on Saturday. Erker’s home runs were the first three of her varsity career.
“This was important for us, because they have the experience and know what it takes to win,” Erker said. “We’re trying to get to where they were last year.”
Annabella Filomeno cleared the bases with a two-out three-run double in the bottom of the first, giving Miller Place a 4-3 lead. Erker hit her first home run in the second inning and Maeve Schiereck scored on a wild pitch to give Massapequa a 5-4 lead.
Breya Kesler singled in a run for Miller Place, tying it at 5 in the second. Erker and Schiereck opened the fourth with back-to-back solo homers, increasing Massapequa’s lead to 7-5.
“We knew how good they were going to be,” Schiereck said. “It was raining and the conditions weren’t the best, but we knew it’d be a great game. We had faith in each other and played with heart.”
Kelly Romano and Nicole Heller each drew one-out walks in the fifth and Erker launched a three-run home run to center field to put Massapequa ahead 10-5.
“I just want to hit the ball hard. I’m always thinking up the middle,” Erker said. “The approach never changes, no matter what happens in prior at-bats.
Kyra Maddock held Miller Place (8-3) scoreless from the second through fifth inning, but in the sixth, the Panthers scored four. Brooke Borkowski and Laney Vomero each hit two-run homers to cut Miller Place’s deficit to 10-9.
The Panthers had second and third with two outs and attempted to score on a wild pitch, but Erker, who was the catcher, applied the tag to keep Massapequa ahead.
“Anywhere I play in the field, I’m happy to go out there and do my best,” Erker said. “I was trying to help my pitcher as much as possible and provide support.”
Massapequa (9-4) got a hit from Alexandra Dodick in the seventh but scored all five of its runs prior. It drew three walks, including Avery Pilla’s to drive in a run, scored on two errors, a wild pitch and Ava Victor’s sacrifice fly.
“At the end of the day, we both played in the same elements, so you just play as clean a game as you can,” Massapequa coach Christina Castellani said. “This is a big momentum shift for us. We had some tough losses in close games, so this is a confidence builder.”
Christopher Matias covers high school sports for Newsday after spending time in Athletic Facilities and Operation at St. John’s and in Sports Information at CUNY York college.
