High school sports

Spring

sports 

finally off

the ground

By Ron P. Coderre

Although the high school winter sports season seems so distant in some ways, it’s also a relief to see some decent weather arrive; allowing outdoor spring sports to sprout their wings.  All spring sports managed to get off the ground last week.

The much anticipated baseball season has definitely brightened the spirits, especially in Plainfield, where the Panthers are off to a 2-0 start.  The highlight of the week was a no-hitter by Jordan Federer.

In Thompson, the softball season started in dramatic fashion.  The Lady Tigers enjoyed a 2-0 start thanks to a huge walk off home run by Christina Kopacz. 

And in golf, what’s new.  The Aitken twins, John and Drew, didn’t let the snows of winter slow them down as they are once again leading the Killingly Redmen charge in the Eastern Connecticut Conference.

Federer Tosses No-No

Plainfield opened its season with an easy 28-3 win over Windham Tech behind the tosses of winning pitcher Mike Esposito, who received home run support from Steve Jankowski and Federer.  The highlight of the Panthers early season success came in the next game where Fererer blanked Tourtellotte 4-0 as he was spectacular in tossing a no-hitter.  Plainfield scored a run in the third and three in the fourth off tough luck loser Jack Silva.

Ellis Tech was reversed twice losing to Woodstock Academy 10-5 and Windham Tech 11-3.  Woodstock’s Billy Harrington picked up the victory for the Centaurs, which coincidentally was coach Bill Carpenter’s first win as a high school head coach.  Will Bourgeois, back after missing last season with an injury, had a home run, while J.P. Bergeron and Kolby Reggione each contributed triples to the victory.

Killingly under new head coach David Austin lost its opener 10-2 to E.O. Smith.  Putnam came up a hard luck loser to Prince Tech 5-4 although the Clippers outhit the Techsters 8 to 4.  Josh Allard absorbed the loss for the Clippers.  Pomfret wasted a good pitching performance by Ben Rumrill as they lost a 3-2 squeaker to Cheshire Academy.

Kopacz Walk Off Clinches Tourtellotte Win

The Tourtellotte Lady Tigers are riding high after opening the season with a pair of victories.  Christina Kopacz’s walk off home run in the 10th inning brought joy to Tigerville as she led her mates to a 2-1 win over vaunted rival Killingly.  Halie Poirier, who was superb in the circle, picked up the win.  Cara Mayhew’s home run produced the only offense of the day for the Redgals.  Earlier in the week, the Lady Tigers completely dominated Putnam 20-1 in a game shortened to five innings.  

The Lady Clippers bounced back with a show of offense, beating Capital Prep 24-8.  Mackenzie Livingston was the winning pitcher for the 2-1 Putnam nine.  Killingly did the same as Putnam recouping from its tough loss to Tourtellotte with a 10-2 victory over Windham behind the tosses of Hannah Guari.

Ellis Tech split a pair of contests losing to Windham Tech 14-10 and dropping Capital Prep 20-5.  Sheriden Murphy was the winning pitcher for Ellis Tech.  Plainfield lost its opener to Wheeler 6-0.  Woodstock Academy traveled to Northwest Catholic and came home with a 12-9 win thanks to Courtney Trahan who had a pair of triples and a double to pace the Centaurs offense.  Pomfret School behind winning pitcher Gena LaBeef beat Miss Porter School 15-1.  Makenna Newkirk was the hitting star for Pomfret with a four-bagger and three triples.

Killingly Golf Off to Perfect Start

The Killingly High School golf team, which projects to be the area’s top links team this spring opened with wins in a pair of lopsided matches.  Riding the coattails of their aces, John and Drew Aitken the Redmen rolled past Woodstock Academy 6.5-.5 and Plainfield 7-0.  Drew Aitken, playing out of the #2 hole fired a 37 and his brother John, going off in the #1 spot shot a 38 to lead the way over the Centaurs.  Against the Panthers, Drew fired another 37, while John had a 39 as both golfers easily won their matches.

Plainfield was also dropped by Waterford 6-0 but came back to beat New London 4-3.  Ellis Tech split two matches beating Capital Prep 194-246 and losing to Parish Hill 193-219.  Matt Snay paced the Tech win, while Parish Hill’s All-State golfer Nick Harrington was medalist with a 36.

Putnam opened on the road at Skungamug River Golf Club with a 200-252 victory over Windham Tech.  The Clippers were led by their All-State performer Spencer Salvas who was medalist with a 37.

 

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