The Putnam High School softball team has a new look this season. It began with a new coach, a buy-in from the players and a belief in the fact that the team can compete with other teams in the ECC Div. IV.
This new-found energy and excitement doesn’t necessarily mean that the team will go from 0-19 (last year’s record) to a State Championship overnight. Turning this Clipper Softball Ship around is more like turning the RMS Queen Mary 2 around on a dime in the middle of a blustery ocean. Or it’s much like the query, “How do you eat an elephant?” Answer – “One bite at a time.”
That’s the philosophy that coach David Coderre and his team of 13 enthusiastic young ladies have bought in to. The results, though not yet at a championship level, are beginning to occur. As of this date the Clipper softballers sport an overall record of 5 – 10 overall and 5 – 1 in the ECC Div. IV.
“We set out some simple goals when we first met. We wanted to work toward teaching skills and providing support to help the players realize they belonged on the field with other teams and to recognize they could be competitive. Additionally, we stressed good citizenship, the importance of academics and finally translating those qualities to solid softball players on the diamond,” said Coderre.
The proof that the new philosophy is working centers around the team’s senior tri-captains catcher Lily Goyette, third baseman Kaya Pernini and center fielder Melodie Anderson. The trio has embraced the leadership role and it’s translated into a spirit of respect for each other, for opponents, officials and a few victories.
Goyette, who is headed to UConn in September, is a four-year starter whose been a rock behind the plate, at the bat and on the bases. She’s the team’s leading hitter with more than 20 runs-batted-in and she’s demonstrating the same tenacity in the classroom where she was recently selected Putnam’s CIAC Scholar Athlete.
Third baseman Pernini, who is headed to the University of Rhode Island, selflessly volunteered to take over the hot corner duties, where she’s progressed steadily game-to-game. She’s also a solid hitter at the plate.
The speedy Anderson, who is headed to UConn, has been a terror on the base paths and covers center field like a blanket.
Joining the tri-captains are juniors Hailey Summers a strong-armed shortstop who is the team’s defensive leader. Left fielder Olivia Hetrick, who teams well with center fielder Anderson. The other junior is key reserve outfielder Ava Wolinski. This trio should provide leadership next year and influence others to come out for the team.
With five freshman and two sophomores filling out the roster, the future looks bright for the Clippers. Freshman Aubrey Paquette is the team’s pitcher. She’s started every game in the circle and also provides a solid bat at the dish. Frosh Iyanah Ruiz is steady at first base and is coming into her own as a hitter. A third freshman Ayla Daniels completes the outfield, patrolling right field. Rounding out the freshman contingent are outfielder Gabi Cantuaria and outfielder first baseman Avah Grimshaw. Sophomore Madalyn Parquette is the starting second baseman and soph outfielder Brynn Dignam also fills the role of designated player.
“Coach Coderre is teaching these young ladies how to play the game and instilling pride. The girls appear to be very happy as they learn and see progress almost daily,” said a parent of one of the players.
“In addition to seeing growth on the field, I’m pleased that the majority of our players are honor roll students and involved in community and school activities. They form a solid core of the student body as they appear everywhere that positive things are happening,” said Coderre.
Tourtellotte softball coach Greg Guillot instituted The French River Cup this year, a prize that his Tigers and Coderre’s Clippers vied for twice this season with Putnam coming out on top in both contests. “I hope the cup gives the young ladies on both teams something special to compete for annually,” said Guillot.
Meanwhile in Putnam, Coderre and his assistant Aislin Tracey, a former lacrosse player at Eastern Connecticut State University and currently a grad student at the University of New England, come out every day and practice and prepare the girls, not only for the next game but for the next step in their journey of life.
“We row the boat every day with these hard-working young ladies. They understand that they are an integral piece of turning this ocean liner around.” said Tracey and Coderre.
Putnam High School softball tri-captains, from left: Lily Goyette, Kaya Pernini and Melodie Anderson proudly display The French River Cup, which they captured after winning both games against the Tourtellotte Tigers.
caption:
Left: Anthony Mena pitching. Photo by Celine Hines. Center: Leighton Thomas , left, and Lachie Quate. Photo by Collin Hamilton. Right: Cody Heselton. Photo by Celine Hines.
The vision for PSA’s baseball team this season was to ride the strength of its pitching staff and hope its lineup could come through with enough big hits to result in some wins.
Unfortunately for PSA, there weren’t enough of those big hits this past weekend, the last games of the Mustangs’ season.
Cody Heselton overcame a rough beginning in which he gave up three runs in the first two innings to finish with eight strikeouts over five innings while allowing four hits, but PSA left the bases loaded in both the sixth and seventh innings of a 3-2 loss Friday to Avon Old Farms, the top-ranked team in New England. Denzel Rincon and Ryan Ponte both had two hits in the loss.
Saturday, PSA fell behind 8-0 after just two innings and could never recover in a 9-3 loss to Paramount Academy in the opening game of the New England Baseball Championships. Rincon, Ponte, and Cris Peguero had two hits apiece for PSA.
Later Saturday, PSA’s Anthony Mena allowed just one run on one hit over six innings but King’s-Edgehill won it 2-1 on a walkoff against PSA’s bullpen in the seventh, resulting in a 2-1 season-ending loss. Robbie Natale had two hits and an RBI, while Heselton, Jeffry Ferreira, and Junior Mesa all singled for PSA.
PSA did pick up a win earlier in the week, beating King’s Edgehill 10-0 on Senior Day. Harry Roy threw five shutout innings in his final home start, striking out six and allowing just three hits. Roy went unbeaten in his last three starts of the season, holding opponents to eight hits and no runs while striking out 21 over 17 innings.
The middle of PSA’s lineup – Ponte, Mesa, Heselton, Enrique Diaz, and David Batista – combined for nine hits, five RBIs, and seven runs in the win. Dereck Barrada added two hits and two RBI for PSA.
PSA’s soccer teams both won their respective season-finales over the weekend, with the Elite team topping Hoosac 5-1 and the Prep team knocking off Vermont Academy 1-0.
Renan Mafra scored the game’s only goal Sunday as the Prep team won its fourth straight game and finished the Spring season at 9-3-2.
Saturday, Aiden Basabose recorded a hat trick and Assa Mora added two more goals as PSA won with a terrific all-around team performance. The Mustangs ended the Spring at 3-4-1.
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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Ellen (Blanchette) St. Jean
WOODSTOCK — Ellen (Blanchette) St. Jean, 69, of Tripp Road, Woodstock, died May 9, 2024, in the comfort of her home with her family. She was the wife of Bruce St. Jean. Born in Hartford, she was the daughter of the late Wilbert and Mary Nora (Comeau) Blanchette.
Ellen graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1972 and went on to hold many positions during her professional career, including 15 years at Aetna, as well as many years at Hometown Properties as a Real Estate agent.
In her spare time, Ellen enjoyed traveling, visiting the beaches of Newport, watching the Red Sox, and spending time with her family and friends around the backyard campfire.
She leaves her daughter, Megan St. Jean of Woodstock; brother Paul Blanchette (Jo Anne) of Horseheads, N.Y.; and her best friend of 40 years Nancy Carpenter of Clinton.
A celebration of life in Ellen’s honor will be held at a later date. Donations: St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
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Wed. May 15
Exhibit
PUTNAM --- “Natural Vision” photo exhibit by Janet McDonald is showing in the Corridor Gallery at the Putnam Municipal Complex through June 30. The exhibit features a series of beautiful color photographs of nature and the world around us. Open to the public at no charge. Visit www.PutnamCtArtsCouncil.com for gallery hours and more information.
Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Library’s Art @ the Library &Display Case is presenting the annual Thompson Public Schools Art Showcase, exhibiting the artwork from the students of Tourtellotte Memorial High School and Thompson Middle School through May 22 at the Thompson Public Library. 860-923-9779.
Thur. May 16
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society of Pomfret will present “Cabbage Hill Bird Walk” at 8 a.m. $10 for CAS members; $20 for nonmembers. Register: 860-928-4948.
Fri. May 17
Concert
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society of Pomfret will present Cindy Kallet, Grey Larsen & Will Brown in concert at 7:30 p.m. at the center on Day Road. $20 advance reservations; $25 at the door. Reserve at: 860-928-4948.
Sat. May 18
Fairy Fest
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association will present a Fairy and Magic Fest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. around downtown.
Rabies Clinic
DANIELSON --- Pet Pals Northeast will hold a low cost rabies clinic from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Quinebaug Valley Veterinary Hospital on Rt. 12. $15 cash per animal. Preregistration and appointment is required. No walk-ins. 860-317-1720.
Pancake Breakfast
PUTNAM --- In honor of Armed Forces Day, Boy Scout Troop 21 will sponsor a free pancake breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon in the St. Mary's Church Hall.
Bird Banding
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will hold a “Bird Banding Demonstration” at 9 a.m. at the center on Day Road. $10 for CAS members; $20 for nonmembers. Register: 860-928-4948.
Bulky Waste Day
PUTNAM --- The town will hold a Bulky Waste Collection Day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Putnam Armory. Putnam residents only. Proof of residency required and you still must use stickers.
Sun. May 19
Go Wild
WOODSTOCK --- Ferncroft Wildlife Rescue will hold this year’s family day from noon to 4 p.m. at Roseland Park. GO WILD with Ferncroft Wildlife Rescue will be a fun and educational afternoon of learning about wildlife. A donation of $10 per person over age 13 is suggested.
Thur. May 23
Fund-raiser
WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Tavern in the Little River Plaza is hosting a Celebrity Bartender Fund-raiser from 5 to 8 p.m. to support Paws Cat Shelter of Putnam. Food, drinks and fun. Six teams of local known community members, including WINY's Gary Osbrey, will be serving drinks and welcoming your conversation. www.woodstockcats.org
Sat. May 25
Reading
PUTNAM --- Award-winning poet Brad Davis has just had his 10th collection of poems, On the Way to Putnam: New, Selected, & Early Poems, published and will be celebrating the book’s release with an Author Series reading at 1 p.m. at the Putnam Public Library. Free and Davis’ new book will be available for purchase and signing at the reading.
Poetry
POMFRET --- The Vanilla Bean Café, 450 Deerfield Road in Pomfret, and Poets at Large will host an evening of spoken word and poetry from 7 to 9 p.m. $15 includes a give-away. Contact:
Mon. May 27
Memorial Day Parade
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Memorial Day Parade will start off at 10 a.m. from Grove Street. Line up on Grove Street starts at 9 a.m.
Tues. May 28
Cosmic Cat
WOODSTOCK --- The Community Cultural Committee d/b/a The Three C’s, presents Theatreworks production of “Cat Kid Comic Club….the Musical” at 10 a.m. at the Loos Center for the Arts. Tickets are $4 pp for groups of 10 or more. www.theThreeCs.org. The Three C’s, celebrating its 37th season, have welcomed 214,089 students. “Charlotte’s Web” is coming June 5.
Sat. June 1
Bat Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present “Bats: Winged Wonders” at 2 p.m. at the center on Day Road. Presentation by Maureen Heidtmann, one of only three licensed wildlife rehabilitators in Connecticut specializing in caring for bats. Includes overview of bats of the world, with an emphasis on our local species. She will cover myths and misconceptions, roles they play in ensuring a healthy planet, perils they face as they struggle to survive and their amazing resilience. She’ll bring an “ambassador” bat with her. No registration required. $5 for CAS members; $10 non-members. 860-928-4948.
Relay For Life
PUTNAM --- The Relay For Life of Northeastern Connecticut, a regional fund-raiser walk and festival benefitting the American Cancer Society, will be held from 10 a.m. June 1 to 10 a.m. June 2 at the St. Marie-Greenhalgh Sports Complex. For more info or to register, go to: relayforlife.org/northeasternct
Benefit Concert
POMFRET --- A benefit concert in honor of the late Carol Davidge will be held at the Vanilla Bean Café. Local talent Sally Rogers will perform at 7 p.m. Admission is a suggested donation of $25, 100 percent of which will be donated to the “Make Your Mark” scholarship.
Sat. June 8
Singers/Songwriters of ‘70s
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present Jim Lenn with “The Ovation Guitar & Singers/Songwriters of the ‘70s from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Registration required.
Sat. June 22
Arts Fest
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Fine Arts and Crafts Festival will be held June 22 and 23 at the Municipal Complex.
Sat. July 6
Fireworks
PUTNAM --- Fireworks will be held around the Putnam Rotary Park. Rain date is July 13.
Sun. Aug. 11
Pluck a Duck
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association will present Pluck a Duck Aug. 11 and 12.
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