Bellringers Fall to Tourtellotte in Class S Softball

East Hampton’s softball season ended on Wednesday. As it is with the state tournament, the suddenness of a season-ending loss can leave a team stunned, disappointed, and probably both.

So, it’s only natural if this one stung a little. East Hampton had fought back and was probably just a base hit from tying the score in the sixth and seventh innings.

The Bellringers’ late rally, however, fell short, and they lost to Tourtellotte of Thompson 4-2 in a Class S tournament second-round game in East Hampton.

“There’s nothing easy you can tell them because unfortunately the season is over,” East Hampton coach Matt Warner said. “You tell them they need to keep their heads high. They had a great season, they made a good run. During the regular season, going 15-5 is something to be proud of. Making the states is big, and having a good seed. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out the way we wanted.”

With a strong regular season comes increased hopes and expectations for the tournament. Ultimately, there can only be one winner from a field of many who think they can. The emotional wins and losses that unfold along the way are the beauty and ugliness of tournament play. Ultimately, one team from each class ends it’s season on a high note.

Which is too bad. Though the Bellringers walked off the field with a loss fresh in their mind, they left behind a season of high notes.

• Went 15-5 following a 9-11 regular season last year.
• Had a seven-game winning streak followed by a six-game winning streak.
• Defeated Shoreline power and long-time nemesis Coginchaug.
• With first-place in the conference on the line, played an exciting and dramatic extra-inning game at Hale-Ray.
• Had a shot at finishing first heading into the final game of the regular season.
• Advanced to the second round of the Class S tournament.

Not a bad season at all.

“I’m proud of them,” Warner said. “I hope they can see the positives in the season. I think they can. They’re a good group of kids. It’s little victories here and there that you got to remember when you’re upset, when you didn’t come out on top the way you wanted to.”

East Hampton fell behind 1-0 in the first inning, but before the offense could wake from its slumber, the score was 4-0 in the fifth inning.

Some teams might have given up, but the Bellringers didn’t.

They scored two runs in the sixth and would have scored more if not for a great shoestring catch in the outfield that was turned into a double play to end the inning.

In the seventh, East Hampton again had the bases loaded and only one out.

It just wasn’t meant to be. Tourtellotte (11-11) was staggered, but they hung on. Give them credit.

“Just a little bit too late,” Warner said. “The leftfielder made a really good play. If that ball gets by that’s at least two runs. [Tourtellotte] played a solid defense. In the last inning we had the bases loaded but they just couldn’t plate anyone to tie the game.”