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06/02/2024 08:35 PMThe East Haven softball team sported an eclectic mix of savvy veterans along with spry and surging youngsters. Those two factions of players meshed quite well together, as the Yellowjackets banded together through the ebbs and flows of a season to return to the postseason party.
The Yellowjackets finished 10-10 on the regular season to earn themselves another trip to the Class L State Tournament. As the No. 22 seed in that draw, East Haven squared off with a familiar SCC foe in Law, seeded 11th, and took an 8-0 defeat on May 28 in the first round to conclude the campaign 10-11 overall.
Despite the early exit, East Haven skipper Ed Crisafi was amazed at the accomplishment of the girls making it to the dance. They housed a senior core that certainly stamped their own unique marks on the program’s history. But they also saw the youth rise within the roster to build a foundation for a stronger future.
“With such a young team with so many getting their first taste of varsity softball at a high level, the coaching staff was very pleased and happy that they qualified for states,” said Crisafi. “The young players gained valuable experience as the year went on that hopefully carries over to next year. It will be tough replacing senior Gianna Fowler's prowess behind the plate, as well as senior Miranda Consiglio’s dedication and hard work ethic every day, as well as Abby Christman's gift to keep everyone loose.”
East Haven boasted five fantastic captains this spring. Fowler finished off her career and fourth year as a starter by making the All-SCC Second Team, and she joined the 100-hit club for the Yellowjackets and broke the school record for career doubles with 26 two-baggers.
Junior Lexi Heaphy finished off her third spring as a starting shortstop and also joined the Second Team All-SCC Team, while being chosen to participate in the Junior Select All-Star Game. Classmate Gianna Santoro (another All-Conference selection at First Team) in the outfield broke a single-season strikeout record in the pitching circle with 194. Additional senior captains were two-year outfield starter with Consiglio and Christman at the hot corner of third base.
Speaking more to the youth movement in the clubhouse, sophomore Eve Backhaus has now been a starter for both of her campaigns at second base. Joining her in the varsity ranks were a freshman foursome of outfielder/second baseman Mia Vitello, right fielder and designated hitter Stella Fratantonio, first baseman Adrianna Fronte, and Lenah Forte in center field.
Additional underclassmen that shined in the spotlight throughout the course of the season were sophomores Jen D'Agostino, Nevaeh Torres, Faith Pellegrino, and Aiyana Davis, alongside freshman Mia Mulhern.
In looking at the benchmark instances of the regular season, Crisafi recalled the watershed moment was when East Haven scored a signature win over a non-conference adversary, along with taking down a tandem of SCC rivals and seeing several personal milestones along the way.
“The team grew up tremendously as the year went on, with the highlights being a great win over Fitch, which was our best overall game of the year, and two wins over arch-rival Branford and Sacred Heart Academy, as well as a thrilling late comeback win over Cromwell,” said Crisafi. “Two individual goals that were met were Santoro breaking the season strikeout record and Fowler getting her 100th career hit against Cromwell.”
As is the case in the high school sports scene, it is all about the junior high programs in the town in addition to the current players moving up the ladder. Crisafi and the Yellowjackets certainly feel quite content and optimistic on those factors moving forward, as they look to increase their win total and delve deeper into states.
“Qualifying for states was a great accomplishment for the team,” said Crisafi. “And with a talented eighth grade group coming in, hopefully East Haven softball is back on the rise.”
The 2024 East Haven roster was comprised of seniors Consiglio, Fowler, Christman; juniors of Santoro, Heaphy; sophomores Backhaus, Pellegrino, Torres, Davis, D’Agostino; plus freshmen Vitello, Mulhern, Forte, Fratantonio, and Fronte.
Crisafi completed his 30th year at the helm with East Haven, compiling a 361-272 career record in his three-decade tenure. He was assisted by Jeff Crisafi (in his 14th campaign), third-year assistant Talia Loda, and Matt Coyle (second year with the program).
2024 East Haven Softball Team Regular Season Results
April 1: East Haven 10, Branford 3
April 9: East Haven 4, Shelton 1
April 10: Amity 13, East Haven 1
April 15: East Haven 19, Hillhouse 1
April 16: Sheehan 4, East Haven 0
April 17: North Haven 14, East Haven 2
April 19: West Haven 12, East Haven 7
April 22: East Haven 11, Branford 2
April 24: Sheehan 9, East Haven 0
April 25: East Haven 6, Sacred Heart Academy 2
April 26: East Haven 8, Shelton 2
April 29: Amity 12, East Haven 0
May 1: East Haven 9, Sacred Heart Academy 0
May 3: East Haven 3, Fitch 1
May 4: Norwalk 17, East Haven 5
May 6: East Haven 9, Hillhouse 0
May 8: North Haven 11, East Haven 2
May 9: North Branford 11, East Haven 2
May 13: West Haven 5, East Haven 3
May 18: East Haven 6, Cromwell 4