Sachem East, Whitman softball teams help raise money for Stony Brook Children's Hospital
The Whitman and Sachem East softball teams surround Bradie Bohlen, center, before a fundraiser game for Stony Brook Children’s Hospital Pediatric Palliative Care on Tuesday in South Huntington. Credit: Photograph by Matt Lindsay, Newsday
As important as Tuesday’s softball game between Sachem East and Whitman was in the Suffolk League I standings, its significance extended beyond the diamond.
Whitman honored Callie Noelle Alt, the late daughter of Whitman math teacher Bradie Bohlen. Alt died last September at nine months old from a rare genetic mutation known as COL4A1. Alongside her husband, James Alt and their son, Rowan, Bohlen told her daughter’s story before throwing a ceremonial first pitch at South Huntington Public Library.
The teams came together to raise more than $1,500 for Stony Brook Children’s Hospital Pediatric Palliative Care, which focuses on providing specialized care and improving quality of life for children with serious illnesses.
“We had moments where we were introduced to the palliative care team at Stony Brook and honestly, we didn’t really know what that entailed and it sounded scary to us,” Bohlen said. “They took care of our entire family . . . Palliative care is love, it’s dignity and it’s making sure that a child’s life, no matter how long, is filled with as much comfort, love and meaning as possible.”
Whitman coach Ralph Miranda is a science teacher who taught across the hall from Bohlen. Miranda said his son is the same age as Bohlen’s, and that soon after Callie’s birth, he and his wife had twins.
“We were both in the thick of toddlers and having a newborn and all the things that come with that,” Miranda said. “Everyone says, ‘You can’t imagine it happening to you,’ but having that parallel life with Bradie, I can’t even fathom what they went through. This was so close to home and so personal that it was a no-brainer.”
Angelina Cornand struck out six and allowed two hits and one run to lead Sachem East to a 4-1 win. She went 1-for-2 with an RBI and a walk. Xiomara Llerena went 2-for-4 with a triple and two RBIs.
“Hearing about it before the game was so sad,” Cornand said. “I’m glad we came and helped fundraise for the cause because it obviously had a very big impact on that family.”
Sachem East (11-3, 11-3) now sports the same record against League I opponents as Patchogue-Medford. The league title could be on the line when the teams meet next Tuesday.
Andie DeVinney hit a home run and Brynn Iacovone struck out seven and allowed three earned runs in seven innings for Whitman (10-6, 8-6). The Wildcats need to win two of their final four games to make the playoffs.
“I’m super proud of how the girls went around and got all these donations,” Miranda said. “I hate losing, but I try to instill in them that there is life outside of softball and we can make a difference.”
Matt Lindsay is a high school sports reporter who joined Newsday in 2022 after graduating from Stony Brook University.
