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05/04/2017 12:00 AMFallon Speers wasn’t a member of the Yellowjackets’ softball squad when she started high school. However, after attending Platt Tech in Milford for two years and accumulating 60 hits with the Panthers, Fallon decided to play softball in her hometown for her junior and senior seasons. She recently recorded hit No. 100 for her high school career.
“All my brothers and sisters went to Platt and my mom likes the idea of having a career if college doesn’t work out,” says Fallon. “I liked it, but I needed a little more for my sports and academics, so I switched to East Haven.”
Head Coach Ed Crisafi welcomed Fallon to the team with open arms. Crisafi had hoped that Fallon would play at East Haven from the outset of her high school tenure, and so he was ecstatic when he found out that she was joining the Yellowjackets.
“She was at the middle school and that’s when I first met her. She was a good athlete then in 8th grade and she played in our fall league with most of the varsity team. I had hoped and prayed she’d come to the high school and she broke my heart by going to Platt,” says Crisafi. “Before her junior year, her mother called and asked me about Fallon coming to play for East Haven. I told her, ‘You just made my day.’”
After getting 29 hits as a junior, it didn’t take Fallon long to get the 11 that she needed this year to reach the 100-hit milestone. Even though 60 of her hits came with Platt Tech, Fallon’s name will still be on the 100-hit banner at East Haven High School, and it’s an achievement she feels extremely proud about.
“It just means all my hard work and dedication to the team has paid off. All the practicing and long nights have paid off. I’m grateful to have the people in my life that have helped me through this,” says Fallon. “I was very nervous. I was a little shaky when I was up there, but I thought, ‘I needed this hit.’ It’d be a big milestone and I had to do it.”
Fallon maintains a consistent approach at the plate. She doesn’t overthink things and looks for something to handle out over the dish. Fallon’s strategy has proved a solid recipe for 100-plus hits.
“I really just go up there, feel loose, and try not to think about it too much. You have to be relaxed, and I usually let the first strike out. When I have a strike on me, I feel more prepared to hit,” she says. “I look for the outside pitch. I look to hit the other way to get runs in.”
After playing third base last year, Fallon moved to second base for her senior season with the Easties this spring. Fortunately, Fallon had played second base before and so the move wasn’t that big of a deal to her.
“I’ve played second base in middle school. I can play all positions, but this move wasn’t much of a difference for me. The speed was definitely different because at second you have more time to think, where at third it’s more of just a reaction, but it really wasn’t a big mental change for me. It’s the same game and a little different with how you have to go and position your body,” says Fallon. “The move was to help my team and I’ll do anything I can to get us the win. It was fine by me as long as I’m helping my team win any way I can.”
Fallon is the only senior on the Yellowjackets and was selected as one of their captains. Fallon wasn’t expecting to get that position after recently transferring to East Haven, but she feels honored to hold the role.
“I was very surprised because I just transferred here. I didn’t think I was a big part of the team because I just go here. I didn’t think they thought I was ready,” says Fallon. “It’s a good feeling to know people look up to me and come to me for advice.”
Looking ahead to next year, Fallon has already made her decision when it comes to college. She will attend Albertus Magnus and play for its softball team.
“Last year in our first few games, the coach came to see a few other players he was recruiting. He saw me hit once and field a ground ball and told coach he wanted me on his team. He recruited me and that’s where I wanted to go,” Fallon says. “I really wasn’t looking at any other schools. He made me feel really confident that I’ll have a good career at Albertus.”