Massapequa softball honors Connor Kasin with memorial game
The Massapequa softball team poses with Mary Kasin, mother of Connor Kasin, after winning a game at Massapequa on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. Credit: David Meisenholder
The memory and legacy of Connor Kasin have continued to be at the forefront of the Massapequa community.
The Massapequa softball team held its Connor Kasin memorial game on Wednesday at Berner Middle School. Raffle entries were sold and a bake sale took place, with all proceeds going to the Connor Kasin Memorial Foundation.
The foundation aims to support families, individuals and organizations that lack the financial means to pursue their dreams.
“These kids have been amazing, the support they’ve given our family is unbelievable,” Connor’s mother, Mary Kasin said.” They reached out to us wanting to do something and of course we happily agreed.”
Kasin was a Massapequa senior and member of the school's ice hockey team. He tragically passed away at the age of 17 after collapsing during a charity game on Nov. 30.
Madison Tucholski, a senior on Massapequa’s softball team, was close friends with Kasin and was the driving force behind the event.
“I was really close with him over the past two years. He always came down to the softball games to support the team,” Tucholski said. “I really just wanted this memorial game to be the best day possible.”
Pictures of Kasin throughout his lifetime were plastered at various points around the field. Mary Kasin threw out the first pitch, tossing a strike to Tucholski, followed by a speech read by the PA announcer.
The speech described Connor as an “amazing friend, kind brother and inspiring teammate”. It also mentioned his passion and love for not only ice hockey, but also providing kindness and uplifting those around him.
“There are kids who will see our lights on at midnight and knock on our door, just asking if they can stop in and say hi,” Mary Kasin said. “Connor was fun, carefree and competitive. It’s hard to think of everything he was, but to me, he was just perfect.”
Massapequa earned a 13-1 victory over Seaford in the ensuing Nassau I matchup. Sienna Erker and Sienna Perino each had a hit and three RBIs. Tucholski had a hit and scored three runs and Sam Portz had three hits and two RBIs for Massapequa (13-3). Rylie Betz had a hit for Seaford (9-6).
“We do a charity game every year and we had some seniors who were close with Connor, particularly Maddie Tucholski and they wanted to do this for Connor,” Massapequa coach Christina Castellani said. “We’re just grateful to be able to do this and raise money for the foundation.”
“It’s wonderful to see everyone still talking about him, his name is still everywhere,” Tucholski said. “We are continuing to remember him as the amazing person and player that he was.”
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.
