Softball Wrap-up

Woodstock &

Tourtellotte

girls tourney

bound

By Ron P. Coderre

There’s a popular phrase in sports that’s in vogue.  “What’s trending now?”

Well, what’s trending now in northeastern Connecticut are the Tourtellotte and Woodstock Academy girls’ softball teams.  Both teams are riding high and last week in a weather shortened schedule the Lady Centaurs and Lady Tigers both managed to post 2-1 records.  One of Tourtellotte’s wins was a big shutout over Putnam.  The victories assured them of CIAC postseason action.

Killingly was 1-1 on the week, while the preps, Marianapolis and Pomfret School each lost the only game they played.  The remainder of the schools, Ellis Tech and Plainfield, never made it to the diamond thanks to the rain that covered the Northeast for the entire week.

Teams Beat the Weatherman

The biggest victory last week for teams that were able to squeeze in games between the rain drops was the win over the weatherman.  Tourtellotte and Woodstock had the most success.

The Lady Centaurs picked up two wins, while its only loss came in a most disappointing fashion, a walk off grand slam home run.  The loss, a 7-6 defeat came at the hands of East Lyme.  Leading 6-3 thanks in large part to Rylee Hehir, who had four hits including a home run, Woodstock was stunned by Kaylie Crosby who hit the grand salami that propelled the Lady Vikings to the win and sent the Acads on their way to a long journey home.

The remainder of the week was more successful for coach Jay Gerum’s ladies as they beat Shephard Hill of Massachusetts 7-5 in a must win rebound game.  Angela Caponi picked up the win in the circle and drove in three runs with a bases-loaded first-inning triple.  Caroline Loftus was responsible for driving in the go-ahead run.

The Centaurs final game of the week was a 13-1 laugher over Ledyard with Hehir tossing a complete game 13-strikeout gem.  Hannah Burgess was the big gun on offense for Woodstock with four hits.  The Lady Centaurs are 9-5 on the season and 3-3 in the Eastern Connecticut Conference Large Division,

Tourtellotte posted two victories before falling 12-2 to Wheeler.  The Lady Tigers opened with an offensive 18-11 win over Lyman.  Crystal Daly, known as a singles hitter, enjoyed a breakout day at the plate.  She had four hits including a home run and double to go along with a pair of singles.  Abby Poirier was 3-for-6 at the dish and Carinne Sosnowski added a home run.

The final game of the week was a satisfying 10-0 whitewashing of archrival Putnam.  Christina Kopacz was the primary culprit, going 3-for-3 with a round tripper.  Daly and Amanda Bogoslofski combined for the shutout in the circle.  The Lady Tigers are 10-4 overall and 3-2 in the ECC Small Division and tourney bound.

Killingly split a pair of games, opening with a 14-2 win over New London and falling 8-2 to Montville.  Madison Weaver and Cara Mayhew each had three hits in the win over the Lady Whalers.  The Redgals left their bats in the bag against Montville.  Killingly is 6-6 on the season and 2-4 in the ECC Medium.  They need two wins in their final eight games to qualify for the CIAC Tournament.

Marianapolis lost 4-2 to Suffield Academy despite a 1-for-3 performance at the plate with two RBI for Megan Tarantino.  The Lady Knights are 3-6 on the season.  Pomfret School fell hard to Cushing Academy 18-0 and is 1-7 on the season.