Hub 44’s 12-U travel softball team, the Riptides, coached by John Cinelli and Erin Abran, had some big wins recently.
The team played in two tournaments run by Island Fastpitch — Spring Swing and Pitch Perfect — and they won gold medals in both. These were the first tournament wins for the team, which practices at the Hub 44 indoor facility in East Hampton during the colder months.
The team is made up of girls from Montauk to Springs. The players from Springs School are Addison Cinelli, Ann Peterson, Madeline Abran, and Sophia Schuerlein, who were all really excited to win in the tournaments, given the fact their team won more games this season than in the fall season. During the winter they practiced every Sunday, and pitchers and catchers stayed an additional 30 minutes to practice specific skills.
“The girls were focused, they played hard, and their off-season work at Hub 44 really paid off,” Coach Cinelli said.
The players were also proud of their work and excited for their team. “I feel that our team worked very hard over the winter, and put in so much effort,” Ann Peterson said. “I think our team works well together, making softball tournaments fun and exciting. Everybody puts their skill and knowledge into the game, making us successful.” Madeline Abran said the team benefits from the wins because winning builds confidence, and that their hard work and dedication will enable them to win more tournaments.
The Riptides have a few more tournaments this spring, including the spring championship on May 17 in Bellport. They are ready to shine and hope to come out on top.
By Addison Cinelli and Sophia Schuerlein, Grade 6