Massapequa International Rally Falls Short In LLWS Elimination Loss To Toms River

BRISTOL, CT — Massapequa International's quest from the brink of elimination to the biggest stage in youth softball came to a heartbreaking end Wednesday night when a sixth-inning rally came up short, allowing Toms River, NJ to hold on and advance to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Finals.

Massapequa had been playing for its tournament life this week, besting squads from Delaware and Maryland on Monday and Tuesday, respectively, before the pivotal tri-state test against Toms River Wednesday night.

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That game started out a quiet affair, with Massapequa leaving runners in scoring position in each of the first three innings while Toms River was able to push a run across in the top of the third.

The Jersey contenders then added to that lead in the top of the fourth when Briella Bognar homered, driving in Jaelyn Brown to push it to 3-0.

The teams went one, two, three in the bottom of the fourth and top of the fifth innings before Massapequa strung together some hits in the fifth. Singles by Emma Kusterer and Emily Cullinan brought the tying run to the plate, and Brown was able to get Ashlin Lynam out at first on a sacrifice bunt attempt. On the next at bat, with runners at second and third and only one out, Gabby Meyer grounded out to third, scoring Kusterer and moving Cullinan to third. A ground out by Sofia Monahan in the next at-bat brought the inning to a close.

Toms River was retired one, two, three in the sixth inning, as well, leaving Massapequa to bat for their tournament future in the final frame. After Ruby Ponticello grounded out, Sophia Nislow and Giuliana Cretty both singled, leaving runners at the corners with Milla Sollitto at the plate.

During that at-bat, Massapequa called for a double steal, sending Nislow for home and Cretty for second. Toms River catcher Leiana Gay made the throw to second where shortstop Franki Velardi applied the tag to Cretty for the second out of the inning, but Nislow was able to cross the plate successfully and make it a one-run game.

With that, Sollitto stepped up to the plate, the go-ahead run standing in the on-deck circle. She reached first on a pop fly to third, bringing Ashley Larmann to the plate to face Brown.

After four pitches, however, there was no joy in Mudville: Larmann struck out swinging, leaving Sollitto on first and ending the game. Brown's run, scored back in the fourth, had proven decisive.

For Massapequa, the tournament comes to a close just two wins short of a trip to Greenville, NC for the Little League World Series. For Toms River, that ticket is still there for the punching in a Thursday night showdown against Minersville, PA.