The Hillel Heat have reclaimed the title with a 3–1 victory over the Netzach Knights! Hillel has enjoyed an impressive run at the varsity level, winning five of the last ten MYHSAL softball championships. With Coaches Jackie Ashkenazi and Elliot Saka at the helm, this year’s young and talented team carried the torch of excellence established by retired Hillel legend, Coach Jackie Picciotto.
On June 19, 2015, Robert Tobias led Hillel to a championship victory over MAY, 1–0. Exactly ten years later, on June 19, 2025, his brother Abraham Tobias delivered another title, adding a new chapter to the family legacy.
Hillel closed out the regular season strong with a 9–4 win over a solid YDE team to secure the #1 seed for the playoffs. In the first round, they faced the gritty MAY Eagles and eked out a thrilling 2–1 win. Trailing 1–0 in the bottom of the sixth, Eli Braha came through with a clutch single to tie the game. In extra innings, Abraham Tobias delivered a walk-off triple that brought home Joe Kassin and sealed the victory.
In the semifinals, Hillel squared off against the DRS Wildcats, with Yeshiva League basketball MVP Joe Aaron taking the mound. Hillel struck early with a triple from Elliot Dweck that sparked the scoring. Key hits by Bobby Salem, Maurice Chehebar, and David Hakim built momentum and secured an 11–4 win, punching Hillel’s ticket to the championship against the defending 2024 champs, the Netzach Knights.
The championship game was played under cloudy skies with the threat of thunderstorms, but Hillel came out swinging. Bruce Epstein opened the scoring with a triple to give the Heat a 1–0 lead. Netzach threatened with the bases loaded in the fourth inning, but Eli Braha turned the tide with a perfect throw to Max Rishty at home plate to preserve the tie. In the fifth, Abraham Tobias struck again with a go-ahead triple to make it 2–1, and Momo Solomon added an insurance run for a 3–1 lead. In the seventh, Tobias shut the door with a strong finish on the mound, securing the victory and earning well-deserved MVP honors.
Hillel thanks Commissioner Seth Gordon for his leadership in running the league, Coach Yossi Davidson and the Netzach team for a competitive and respectful championship matchup, and our devoted supporters: Rabbi Saul Kassin, Rabbi Beitler, Norman Jemal, Sammy Saka, and all the fans who came out to cheer us on.
GO HEAT!!!
