# @lohudsports on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/C6WzgF5OjsM
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/16970039-lohudsports-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/76462e784b.jpg
- **Posted:** 2024-04-29T18:59:39.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** lohud sports (@lohudsports) — https://gondola.cc/lohudsports

## Caption

Rye Neck coach Joan Spedafino has experienced the thrill of game day countless times before, but Friday afternoon’s showdown with Westlake brought a double dose of added nerves.

The superstitious Spedafino curtailed any pre-game chatter surrounding her upcoming milestone, but the secret leaked its way out as plenty of family members, friends, and players – past, present and future – arrived to witness history.

After a five-inning affair with the Wildcats, the Panthers emerged victorious, 18-1. The win marked Spedafino’s 600th of her career. She also became the first coach in Section 1 softball history to reach that mark.

“It’s just mind-boggling, it’s wonderful to have all my friends and family here,” Spedafino said of her latest accomplishment. “Rye Neck is a great place to be and coach. My whole career has been here and I’m just so thankful. It’s a team effort on and off the field. I was blessed to coach with my husband, my sons and now with Jessica Calvini who played here.

“There’s been a lot of great players and great people along the way. From our modified to our JV coaches, to our athletic director and superintendent, everyone is so supportive. It’s a team effort and they’ve all contributed to this.”

The Panthers were able to celebrate the momentous moment on their home field, a site that has seen plenty of victories since Spedafino took over the varsity program in 1986.

Read more at our link in bio.

✍: Eugene Rapay byeugenerapay

📸: Frank Becerra Jr. frankbjrphoto

#lohudSports #lohudSoftball #Softball #HighSchoolSoftball #Section1 #RyeNeckSoftball ryeneckvsoft

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## Tags

softball, lohudsports, lohudsoftball, highschoolsoftball, ryenecksoftball, section1

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