The P.S. 276 Chargers softball team ended their season on Sunday, June 12, by winning their first-ever NYC Championship, 14-9, at Red Storm Field at St. John’s University.
The team, made up of 14 energetic and spunky sixth, seventh, and eighth graders, had an incredibly strong season this year, winning all but their first game. In the playoffs, they scored nine, 12, and 14 runs in their final three games. During their championship game, all ten members of the starting lineup got on base, and nine of them scored one or more runs.
Coach Jon Carey, who led the team to victory along with assistant coaches Ryan Bucci and Zane Holems, said “A lot of teams, you know, their first four batters are good and then the rest are kind-of weak. We can get a hit from anywhere, which is really what won it for us.” Carey also works as a physical education teacher at I.S. 276, and has coached baseball teams in the past.
with coaches Zane Holmes, Jon Carey and Ryan Bucci
When asked about the difference between coaching boys’ and girls’ teams, Carey said, “the girls this year were mature and prepared beyond their years. I think the time they have spent practicing softball over the past three to four years has paid off tremendously for them and their skill level is as high as any team overall, regardless of their gender.”
Next season, the team will be losing some crucial players as some of the girls move on to high school or transfer to different schools. But Carey isn’t concerned. “It was an amazing experience for all involved to have an opportunity to play on such an outstanding field, and we look forward to defending that championship next season!” he said.