Massapequa softball team comes up short in state Class AAA final
Dejected Massapequa players react to a 4-2 loss to Lancaster in state Class AAA final on Saturday, June 14, 2025. Credit: Hans Pennink
BINGHAMTON — Massapequa’s historic season didn’t end the way it had hoped, but the team fought until the last out was made.
Lancaster (Section VI) defeated Massapequa, 4-2, in the state Class AAA softball final at Greenlight Networks Grand Slam Park on Saturday.
“Ultimately, this is where we wanted to be,” Massapequa coach Christina Castellani said. “We worked so hard the entire season and in practice to get us through the playoffs. The work the girls put in and the heart they have is unmatched.”
Massapequa’s Maeve Schiereck drew a one-out walk in the bottom of the seventh inning and Samantha Dolan’s two-out triple cut Massapequa’s deficit to 4-2. Alyssa Brunner induced a groundout on the first pitch of the next at-bat to secure Lancaster’s win.
“We’re always going to fight until the end. We care too much to give up,” Madison Tucholski said. “We fought until the end, just like we did all season, because playing in this game meant so much to everyone.”
“The way it ended is upsetting now, but I’m really proud of this team for making it this far,” Sam Portz said. “This is the first team in Massapequa softball history to make it to the state championship and that’s an amazing feat.”
Massapequa’s Sienna Perino walked with one out in the sixth and Annalisa Kohn reached on an error before Nola Trovato walked with two outs to load the bases. Lancaster’s Ava Konieczny fielded a grounder and stepped on third base to escape the inning.
Tucholski and Sienna Erker each walked with one out in the third for Massapequa and Portz’s two-out RBI double to the centerfield fence made it 1-0.
With two outs in the fifth, Lancaster’s Peytyn Chojnacki doubled and Emma Andolina tripled to tie the score at 1-1. Leah Dowling’s single gave Lancaster a 2-1 lead.
“We knew they were a good-hitting team from the short amount of time we were able to scout them,” Castellani said. “They got their timing down and hats off to them for hitting it where we weren’t to score a few runs.”
Lancaster’s Isabella Diminio doubled in the sixth to put runners on second and third. Chojnacki hit a line drive up the middle to bring in two runs and extend Lancaster’s lead to 4-1.
Lancaster (16-5) had runners on second and third with none out in the first and loaded the bases with two outs before Shea Santiago induced a pop-up to escape the jam. Lancaster left seven runners on base in the first four innings.
“Nothing really fazed the team early. We kept pushing back,” Castellani said. “Unfortunately, we didn’t capitalize on some of the opportunities we had. What this group did is still special and the possibilities going forward are endless.”
Massapequa (22-6) reached the state semifinals in two of the previous three years, losing each time. Marissa Scognamiglio’s grand slam helped the team earn a 5-3 win over Shenendehowa (II) on Friday, clinching its first appearance in the state final.
“Doing this in my senior year was an amazing feeling,” Portz said. “I know when I look back, I’ll always remember how much I enjoyed this season and being a part of this team.”
Kohn’s walk-off single in the eighth inning of a 2-1 win over Riverhead earned the team the Long Island crown.
“This still feels like the best way to end my senior year. We played our hearts out,” Tucholski said. “We left everything out there on the field, and at the end of the day, that’s really all you can do.”
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.
