Gulls softball stars coach Bay State Games Northeast squad to gold medal

BEVERLY, Mass. – Four Endicott softball players took a crack at the coaching game this summer at the Bay State Games where they led a group of high school players out of the Northeast region to an undefeated 6-0 record and gold medal performance. 

The Northeast squad won 5-2 over the Coastal region in the championship game after defeating the Metro, West, Southeast, Northeast and Central squads in the previous five games.    

Senior Krista Fales (Melrose, Mass.) and juniors Alexandra Moise (North Reading, Mass.), Jesse Bilafer (Concord, Mass.), and Jennie Lacolla (Stoneham, Mass.) each served as specialized assistant coaches to Mark Kulakowski, who is currently Endicott's assistant softball coach. 

"This is the first year that I've had any of my players coach with me at the Bay State Games," said Kulakowski who just finished his ninth year with the Northeast squad.  "It was great experience to get them involved, pick their brains, and get a different perspective during the games.  They really proved to me that off the field they are going to be incredibly successful in whatever career path they choose."

Fales, a two-time All-CCC Second Team player and Rookie of the Year winner in 2010, worked closely with the Northeast squad's catchers while Lacolla, a former CCC Player and Rookie of the Year, coached the pitchers. 

"They did a great job getting the pitchers on the same page.  We had three pitchers and two catchers so it was a difficult thing to do.  Krista and Jennie did a phenomenal job coaching these players and teaching them about building confidence on the field."

Bilafer, a second baseman with two First Team All-CCC awards, worked with the infielders and the hitters throughout the tournament. 

"We played a lot of small ball in the tournament and Jesse, who has 24 sacrifice bunts in two years, was important in our team's success."

Moise, collected her first All-CCC accolade by being named a First Team outfielder, drilled the outfielders on proper technique and positioning.

"Alex did a great job with our outfielders between running drills and coaching proper positioning throughout the games."