The East Haven softball team entered the 2021 season with six seniors who were looking to take the Yellowjackets back to the Class L State Tournament championship game. Although the Easties’ season ended with a 4-0 loss to Masuk in the Class L semifinals last week, Head Coach Ed Crisafi said that this year’s seniors are leaving behind a legacy with the way that they shaped the framework for the future of the program.

After defeating Killingly and Waterford in its first two Class L State Tournament games, No. 5 seed East Haven took on No. 1 seed Masuk in the semifinal round at West Haven High School on June 8. Masuk jumped out with a run in the bottom of the first and held a 1-0 lead going into the fifth. The Panthers went on to score three in the bottom of the fifth inning to make it 4-0. East Haven loaded the bases in the top of the sixth, but was unable to score, and wound up taking a 4-0 defeat against Masuk.

The Yellowjackets’ offense had three hits in the contest, including a double from junior Magdalena Barthel. Junior Emilee Bishop pitched a complete game for East Haven. Masuk went on to win the Class L state title with a 2-0 win versus St. Joseph in the final.

“We knew it was going to be a low-scoring game with their pitcher [junior Kathryn Gallant] and the way Emilee has been throwing. Uncharacteristically, we didn’t hit like we expected to,” Coach Crisafi said. “That’s why Masuk is No. 1. Their pitcher had a great game.”

Despite the loss, East Haven still went on a deep run in the Class L State Tournament and finished the year with an overall record of 18-4. Crisafi said that the 2021 edition of the Easties is one of the best clubs he’s ever coached, largely due to the hard work that his players put in every single day.

“It was definitely one of the best teams I’ve ever coached. They had leadership, work ethic, and were led by the six seniors,” said Crisafi. “There were a lot of tears after the game. We broke down, and the girls came up to me with tears in their eyes. It was a fun-loving group, but once they stepped on the field, they were a pleasure to coach. Everything was done correctly. They never took a day off.”

East Haven’s senior class consisted of Brooke Clancy, Carly Cordova, Sammie Franceschi, Kayla Goodrich, Tori Heaphy, and Kayla Rosario—all of whom served as captains. Heaphy was named All-State and All-SCC First Team, while Franceschi earned All-SCC Second Team honors for East Haven.

All six seniors were a part of the 2019 team that made it to the Class L state final. Crisafi said that his senior class carved out a legacy with the Yellowjackets and displayed one of the best work ethics he’s seen in his 28 years at East Haven.

“They’re going to leave a legacy. We had a saying this year: ‘Our Time.’ They thought this year was their time to get to the state championship and possibly win it,” Crisafi said.

“It all started with them that first day. The work ethic was unlike anything I’ve ever seen before in all my years of coaching. They were a great group, so close-knit,” he added. “They’re going to be missed.”

While replacing this year’s senior class will be no easy task, the Easties will be returning three current juniors in Barthel, who was named All-SCC First Team; along with Bishop and Jilien Ayala, who were both named to the All-SCC Second Team. Coach Crisafi is hoping that everyone coming back next year learned from the Yellowjackets’ playoff run and will be ready to pick up right where the graduating seniors left off.

Crisafi has coached hundreds of athletes during his 28 seasons with East Haven. When he looks back at this year’s team, Crisafi will remember just how hard his seniors worked to improve themselves and keep the program heading in the right direction.

“I don’t think this group will ever be forgotten,” said Crisafi. “We told them they could come back anytime they want, and I’m sure they will. I just consider them a special group.”

The East Haven softball team’s roster includes senior captains Brooke Clancy, Carly Cordova, Sammie Franceschi, Kayla Goodrich, Tori Heaphy, and Kayla Rosario; juniors Jilien Ayala, Magdalena Barthel, and Emilee Bishop; sophomores Gianna Bernovich, Autumn Clancy, Arielle Dupree, Adriana Franceschi, and Lily Gagnon; and freshmen Miranda Consiglio and Gianna Fowler.