By Ron P. Coderre

In the early goings of the girls’ softball season teams that have generally had difficulty posting victories are on the other end of the spectrum this year.  Woodstock Academy and Ellis Tech, two teams who often have tough seasons are surprising with great early season showings.  Tourtellotte, which is generally strong within its division, is also having a strong early season performance.

Plainfield, Putnam and Killingly are struggling below the .500 level, while the preps, Marianapolis and Pomfret School are having a tough time getting their acts together.

Acads and Eagles Post Winning Weeks

Woodstock Academy softball under coach Jason Gerum is witnessing a revival that has Centaur fans excited.  Rylee Hehir, who transferred to Woodstock from Marianapolis this year, has been a big reason for the early season success.  Behind the strong pitching of Angela Caponi and the hitting of Hehir, the Centaurs breezed past New London 15-0.  Caponi went the distance, striking out 12, while Hehir had a pair of doubles, scored twice and posted three-RBI.

Hehir took to the circle in a 4-3 win over Lyman and struck out 10 opposing hitters in leading the way to the hard fought win.  Caponi and Shannon Creedon each contributed a pair of hits for Woodstock.  In its final contest of the week, the Centaurs fell to Eastern Connecticut Conference – Large Division foe Fitch 12-6.  The Centaurs are 5-3 overall and 1-2 in the ECC – Large.

After beginning the week with a disappointing 10-9 loss to Windham Tech, Ellis Tech picked up a pair of satisfying wins to up its record to 5-3 overall and 3-1 in the Constitution State Conference – East.

The biggest victory was a 12-10 win featuring a 19-hit attack over the Putnam Lady Clippers.  The Eagles who scored in every inning were led by Liz Patton with four hits and four runs batted in.  Sydney Tetreault also had four hits for the victors.  Earlier in the week the Lady Techsters took the measure of Holy Family Academy 18-6 behind winning pitcher Kristin Light.  The quintet of Rhiannon Sulik, Sheridan Murphy, Tetreault, Patton and Sarah Tellier all had big days at the plate.

Putnam, despite losing to Ellis Tech, had an otherwise successful week, picking up a pair of wins.  The Lady Clippers opened with a 16-0 win over University Prep as pitcher Mackenzie Livingston posted a 10-strikeout performance.  Jada Thomas led the Putnam offense with two hits.  The Putnam offense continued to roll as it ran away from Parish Hill in a 19-3 five inning affair.  Livingston and Kira Clinksdale with two hits apiece were the hitting stars for Putnam.  The Lady Clippers closed out the week in disappointing fashion, being shutout by Griswold 15-0.  Putnam is 2-6 overall and 1-1 in the CSC – East.

Plainfield suffered through a losing week, being dropped 10-2 by Norwich Free Academy, 5-2 by Waterford and 17-2 by Montville.  The Lady Panthers are 2-4 on the season and 1-2 in the ECC – Medium.  Tourtellotte (5-3 and 1-1 ECC – Small) had a similar week, losing 8-2 to St. Bernard and 18-4 to Ledyard.  Killingly (2-5 overall and 1-2 ECC – Medium) also lost three times, 8-1 to Ledyard, 6-0 at the hands of Stonington and 13-9 to St. Bernard.  

Pomfret School evened its record at 2-2 with a narrow 12-11 victory over Kingswood-Oxford School.  Down to its final strike, Pomfret utilized the heroics of Makenna Newkirk’s walkoff double to drive in the winning run.  Newkirk and Cassie Hayward enjoyed a perfect day at the plate, both going 5-for 5.  In a game that went eight innings, the Griffs were beaten 9-5 by Cheshire Academy .

Marianapolis, struggling at 1-5, was soundly beaten by Westminster School 15-3.  The Lady Knights got back on the winning track, shutting out Westover School 5-0.  Caroline Lutz posted the complete game shutout.  Madison Bodreau and Christina Doherty each had a pair of hits in the winning effort.