Bonac softballers won both on and off their home field last week. They beat Hauppauge 2-1 in a game that should send them to the playoffs — and possibly a league championship with a few more wins. They also threw the most festive senior game celebration of any team at East Hampton High School, honoring 10 of their players with gifts, banners, class of 2026 trucker hats, and a post-game buffet catered by Shelly’s Kitchen. Shelly Schaffer’s daughter, Alexa, is a sophomore on the team.
“This was all the parents. The parents really are the best part of the game,” said Izzy Briand, a senior and the team’s starting pitcher. “They’re the biggest support and always thank your parents for everything.”
Briand, a five-year varsity player, recorded her 100th strikeout of the season in the first inning of the game. The team’s head coach, Jason Menu, has consistently called Briand a warrior and an integral part of this team’s success.
“She pitched last night a full game, back to back, just strong; her attitude is amazing,” he said, after Briand sealed the 2-1 win for the Bonackers. “She’s just ready to battle every game and is doing what we need from her. We’re going to go as far as she takes us for sure. She’s a great kid and I’m so happy for her.”
M.J. Vickers, a four-year varsity player who plays first base, hit a solo home run in the second inning to tie the game 1-1, before her fellow senior, Hailey Rigby, stole home on an overthrow in the bottom of the fifth to give Bonac the lead.
“I felt really good about it. It was our senior game so I knew I had to go off and go out there with confidence,” Vickers said. “It felt really good, it was nice. Once I hit that [home run], I was on my toes more.”
The visiting families from Hauppauge were even more impressed with Vickers’s performance at first, groaning each time she made an incredible catch, stopping the Eagles’ hitters in their tracks.
“Cat-like reflexes that one! Great game. Great hand-eye coordination,” Menu said. “She hit that dinger. It was the difference in the game. Played the wind nicely, dropped it right in there. She’s been looking to break out. She was in a little bit of a funk in the middle, but she’s coming out of it at the right time.”
Menu and his assistant coach, Kathy Sarlo, only took over coaching duties this year. He called these seniors the heartbeat of the team and honored their years of grit, determination, and leadership.
“Although Coach Sarlo and I have only coached you for this year, we’ve known most of you since you were all very young and have either taught you or watched you play for a long time now. So we’ve seen you grow into incredible young ladies and are very proud of the student athletes you’ve become,” Menu said.
Olivia Dodge, a three-year varsity athlete, will be studying fine arts and graphic design at Flagler College next fall. Coach Menu called her “a tremendous athlete who has distinguished herself as one of the best shortstops in the league.”
Vickers will also be attending Flagler next year, where she’ll study sports management. “M.J. has been one of our best hitters all year long while playing a solid consistent first base,” Menu said. “This is no doubt a result of her dedication and hard work.”
Lydia Rowan, a four-year varsity player, is off to the University of Delaware, where she plans to study kinesiology. “This young lady has been a tremendous center fielder for us all year, making amazing plays and being a huge asset to us at the plate,” Menu said.
Maya Tavares, a two-year varsity athlete, will attend Bowdoin College, studying romance languages and literature and visual arts. “Maya has worked very hard to improve her skills,” Menu said. “She has a tremendous kindness about her.”
Rigby, a four-year varsity outfielder, is going to Virginia Tech to study pre-veterinary medicine. Coach Menu said, “She barely ever missed any off-season workouts and has been a great leader in her work ethic and preparation. She is a great hitter in the bottom of our lineup and a huge part of our success offensively.”
Briand will be playing softball next year at Dominican University, where she’ll study math and biology. “She has been instrumental to our success in giving up the least amount of runs in the league and is closing in on 600 (strikeouts) for her career,” Menu said.
Emily Hurtado, a four-year varsity player, will attend the University of Miami next year, where she’ll study architecture. Menu recognized her dedication. “Emily Hurtado — with a U! — has distinguished herself as one of the hardest workers on the team. Her speed in the outfield has proven to be a big part of the highlight reel plays all season long.”
Brynley Lys, a four-year varsity catcher, and perhaps the team’s loudest cheerleader, is heading to the University of South Carolina to study criminology. Coach Menu called her “solid for us behind the plate all year long. Brynley always has a positive attitude on and off the field. She has taken on the role of controlling our social media page, adding excitement to our season in the softball community.”
Colleen McKee, a four-year varsity player, is going to Penn State to study education. “She has done a tremendous job for us at second base and at the plate,” Menu said. “She is always leading by example. Her work ethic is unmatched and her attitude is always positive.”
Ella Abran, a two-year varsity player, is considering attending A.T.P. Flight School to become a commercial pilot. Menu called her an “excellent hitter who has worked very hard in the role of relief pitcher. She has been a valuable asset to our team this season. No doubt we will all one day be thanking her for getting us safely to our destination.”
While the softball team graduates 10 of its 14 players this June, the outgoing seniors have little doubt that the remaining four underclassmen — Fallon Centalonza, Cara Henegan, Alexa Schaffer, and Taylor Rade — will do just fine. “The girls that we’re leaving behind I fully believe will lead the team and do amazing things,” Briand said. “They’re very strong athletes. Super excited to see what happens next year.”
Meanwhile, this team, especially those 10 seniors who have been playing together since they were kids on travel teams, has some more work to do. Their last regular-season game is scheduled for tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. at home against Westhampton.
