Asselta's Three-Run Blast Lifts East Softball Over North

A three-run home run by Cassie Asselta in the third inning was just enough as Sachem East softball overcame an early 2-0 deficit Thursday to defeat crosstown rival North in a game that had playoff implications for both clubs.

Marissa Smith struck out four in a complete game victory that moved visiting East to 5-3 in league play on the year. North fell to 3-5.

North jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning. Shortstop Chelsea Palma and catcher Deanna Pomilla singled to put runners on first and second before third baseman Kerrin Manning hit a double to the wall that scored both runs.

East answered back in the top of the third as Smith and Sam Marrone got on base in front of Asselta, who was able to turn around one of the only mistakes of the day by North’s Jen Daniello.

“We had one bad pitch today and the girl hit a bomb,” North head coach Ken Sasso said of Asselta. “Other than that everything else was good.”

It was a crisply played game with both defenses coming up with tremendous plays to keep the game tight.

“Their fielding was impeccable today,” East head coach Ralph Forman said. “They robbed us of a lot of hits.”

That’s something that North relies on game in and game out as they battle through their tough League I schedule.

“Everybody is beating each other up in this league,” Sasso said. “It’s funny, you look at the scores everyday and can’t believe who’s beating who. We have a good defense though so we always have a chance to stay in the game.”

After the game both coaches reiterated that while the teams are rivals and both want nothing more than to beat the other it’s always a friendly contest between girls who grew up together.

“They all know each other and they like each other a lot,” Forman said. “It’s a friendly rivalry - it’s not really a rivalry, it’s another game, another team but it’s Sachem. All the kids know each other, they play on the same travel teams.”

Sasso had similar sentiments.

“All these girls played travel ball together, grew up together, played little league together. You always want to win but we’re very friendly.”