By Ron P. Coderre

All girls’ softball teams saw action this week as most are on the downward side of a 20-game schedule.  Two magic numbers occurred in Plainfield during the week in which the Lady Panthers posted a 2-1 log.

In a Plainfield victory over Tourtellotte, Lady Panther coach Jimmy Langlois won his 100th career softball victory as Plainfield mentor.  In the very next game, a 14-0 shutout of Ellis Tech, Plainfield senior Keri Lehtonen recorded her 100th career hit.

Tourtellotte, Woodstock and Ellis Tech each won games after being beaten by Plainfield.  The Putnam Lady Clippers also posted a 2-1 week.  Killingly and Marianapolis were all winless.

Plainfield’s Lehtonen Enjoys Banner Week

Plainfield opened its softball week with a hard fought 4-1 win over Eastern Connecticut Conference opponent Tourtellotte in what could be termed Keri Lehtonen week in Pantherland.  Lehtonen yielded only two hits to the Lady Tigers and posted nine strike outs in picking up the pitching verdict.  The win was #100 for coach Jimmy Langlois.  Chivon Burns had a double and three runs-batted-in in support of Lehtonen.

The Lady Panthers followed up the win with a 14-0 white washing of Ellis Tech as Lehtonen recorded her 100th career hit, a first inning single.  Later in the contest she added another single and scored two runs.  Abby Horan had a double and two RBI’s for Plainfield.  The Lady Panthers ended their week on a sour note, losing to archrival Griswold 12-4, despite a 4-for-4 day at the plate for Lehtonen.  Plainfield is 4-6 on the season and 1-3 in the ECC – Medium Division.

Putnam opened its week on a disappointing note, losing 12-8 to Constitution State Conference – East Division opponent Norwich Tech.  The Lady Clippers bounced back with a resounding 15-0 shutout over another CSC – East opponent Windham Tech.  Mackenzie Livingston limited the Mighty Tigers to just two hits.

In another offensive showing, Putnam ripped Grasso Tech 21-4 as Livingston was the winning pitcher and had three hits.  Putnam is 4-7 overall and 3-2 in the CSC – East.

Ellis Tech also rebounded from its loss to Plainfield by taking out its vengeance on Grasso Tech 18-0 in a game called after five innings.  Winning pitcher Sheridan Murphy was Ellis Tech’s leading hitter with two hits and a pair of runs-batted-in.  Lizzy Patton had a remarkable six RBIs in the win while Sarah Tellier had four hits and Sydney Tetreault contributed a pair of doubles.  The Golden Eagles are 7-4 on the year and 5-1 in the CSC – East.

The Lady Techsters continued their winning ways with an easy 22-4 win over Parish Hill as Murphy had a five-hit afternoon.  Jackson added a double and triple and Tetreault chipped in three hits in the victory.

Michaela Godzik’s fifth inning single proved to be the difference as she drove in the winning run in 5-4 Tourtellotte victory over Lyman.  Earlier in the inning Crystal Daly’s double had knotted the score at 4-4.  Christina Kopacz was 2-for-3 for the 6-4 and 2-1 ECC – Small Division Lady Tigers.

Killingly, which went scoreless in three games, was upended 4-0 by Wheeler, 15-0 by Waterford and 20-0 by Fitch.  The Redgals are 2-8 on the season and 1-3 in the ECC – Medium Division.  Woodstock lost a tough 5-3 decision to very good East Lyme team.  The Acads raised their record to 6-4 overall and 1-3 in the ECC – Large Division with a 10-0 shutout of Windham.  Angela Caponi struck out 11 Whippet hitters in picking up the victory in the circle.  Marianapolis, which is 3-7 was shutout 8-0 by Suffield Academy.

(This week’s wrap-up only includes games played through Friday, May 1.)