Miller Place softball tops Mineola, wins second straight LI Class A championship
Ava Zicchinelli #10 of Miller Place hugs Delaney Schleider #11 of Miller Place after winning the Long Island Class A Softball final against Mineola with a 1 hit shutout at Farmingdale college on Thursday. Credit: David Meisenholder
After falling short in the state championship a year ago, Miller Place returned the entirety of a potent lineup.
That lineup features players throughout, capable of beating an opposing pitcher and in the Long Island championship it was Breya Kesler’s turn to do damage.
Kesler hit a two-run double in Miller Place’s 3-0 win over Mineola in the Long Island Class A softball championship/state regional semifinal on Thursday at Farmingdale State.
“We came into the season stronger, wanting to get back to where we were last year,” Kesler said. "We put in all the hard work starting last summer to make this happen.”
Miller Place earned its second consecutive Long Island Class A championship and will face Marlboro Central (Section IX) at 11 a.m. on Sunday in a state regional final. Marlboro Central defeated Miller Place in last year’s state Class A final.
“We’re all really excited to play them again and show what happened last year is behind us,” Zicchinelli said. “We want to show last year wasn’t luck and we deserve to be there again.”
Zicchinelli doubled to lead off the top of the third for Miller Place (22-2). Emily Lopez drew a two-out walk and Kesler doubled on the seventh pitch of the at-bat to drive in two runs and give Miller Place a 2-0 lead.
“I was really looking for a pitch I could put a good swing on,” Kesler said. “I just looked for the first pitch that worked for me and I got to it.”
Julianna Plunkett singled to give Mineola (8-17) its first and only hit with two outs in the fourth. Zicchinelli struck out the next batter on three pitches to end the inning. She finished with eight strikeouts.
“I trust my catcher, Delaney [Schleider]. She calls all our pitches,” Zicchinelli said. I’m always confident in what she calls and she has confidence in me, so we always believe that we can get the job done.”
Lopez singled to lead off the sixth for Miller Place. Sadie Bryant singled with two outs to drive in Lopez and extend Miller Place’s lead to 3-0.
“There was a runner on and I knew we needed another run to solidify our lead late in the game,” Bryant said. “I was ready to hit in that moment and I swung first pitch and connected.”
Zicchinelli induced two groundouts and struck out the final batter of the seventh to end the game.
“Ava has been outstanding since she took over for us in the circle in 2023,” Miller Place coach Matthew Timmons said. “She’s a leader on this team and someone easy to follow. Everyone gravitates toward her energy and competitive spirit."
Christopher Matias covers high school sports for Newsday after spending time in Athletic Facilities and Operation at St. John’s and in Sports Information at CUNY York college.
