Here are some games worth checking out this week.

MONDAY

Rockville (11-0) at Rocky Hill (8-0), 7 p.m.: Two of the remaining unbeaten teams in the state square off in this Central Connecticut Conference contest.

No. 3 Foran (10-1) at No. 10 Amity (10-1), 4 p.m.: Foran won in extra innings in the teams' last contest. The rematch should be just as exciting.

TUESDAY

Naugatuck (7-4) at Bethel (8-2), 4 p.m.: Naugatuck should challenge the Wildcats and their hard-throwing senior pitcher Sen Evaristo.

WEDNESDAY

Stonington (8-1) at Griswold (9-2), 4 p.m.: Clash between two of the better teams in the Eastern Connecticut Conference. 

FRIDAY

Law (10-1) at Foran (10-1), 3:45 p.m.: Law won the first meeting by one run on April 18. The rematch could be just as close, and could decide the Southern Connecticut Conference Hammonasset Division title.

Sheehan (7-3) at Cheshire (7-4), 3:45 p.m.: Sheehan won at home in Wallingford 9-3 on April 18.

SATURDAY

Bethel (8-2) at Lauralton Hall (5-2), 3:30 p.m.: Rescheduled from earlier in the season due to rain.

To say that the Derby softball team had a rough start to the season would be an understatement.

The Red Raiders lost their first six games, including 17-0 to top-ranked Seymour in the season opener.

Since, there’s been a steady progression. Derby has now won five straight and sits a game under .500 at 5-6.

“It was a tough beginning to the season,” Derby coach Joe DiMartino said. “We played a lot of very good teams. We were struggling, and I think we needed to jell as a team. Then things started to click. They’re more confident now. They know they can win games, which is a big plus.”

Read more of Monday's Notebook here.



Seymour remains No. 1 in Register Top 10 Poll

DIAMOND GEMS

(A recap of last week's top performances)

HIT PARADE

Christina Laudano, Wilbur Cross: Senior had five hits, including a home run, and eight RBIs as the Governors split a doubleheader with rival Hillhouse on Friday.

ACES

Brittany Fusek, Brookfield: Senior allowed just two hits in a 1-0 win over Oxford on Saturday.

TEAM EFFORT

Amity: The Spartans improved to 10-1 with victories over Sheehan, Cheshire and Mercy.

WATCH THIS

Rockville (11-0) at Rocky Hill (8-0), Monday, 7 p.m.: Two of the remaining unbeaten teams in the state square off in this Central Connecticut Conference contest.

For more Diamond Gems, click here.

SPOTLIGHT TEAM: SACRED HEART ACADEMY

Click here for a video interview with the captains.

Here is the ballot I submitted this week for the Register Top 10 Softball Poll. You can view last week's poll here.

I will post this week's poll on-line later today and you can view the complete Top 10 in Monday's print editions.


1. Seymour
2. Maloney
3. Foran
4. Southington
5. Masuk
6. Rockville
7. Waterford
8. Westhill
9. Amity
10. Brookfield
11. Granby
12. Rocky Hill
13. Law
14. Darien
15. Fitch

MILFORD — Heading into Friday afternoon’s contest at Foran, North Haven softball coach Sally Maher was well aware of how potent the Lions’ lineup is. Unfortunately for her, Maher got a chance to witness this almost immediately.

Scoring five times in the first inning and adding three more in each of the third and fourth innings, the Lions cruised to a 13-1 victory over the Indians at Foran High.

Foran won its fourth straight to improve to 10-1, while North Haven saw its two-game winning streak come to an end and fall to 7-4.

Read more from Mike Madera here.

 ROUNDUP

Hillhouse 6-6, Wilbur Cross 5-14: The teams split this doubleheader and each picked up their first win of the season in SCC interdivision action at New Haven.

In the first game, Alexis Banks had a double and two RBIs for Hillhouse, while Cross’ Christina Laudano had two hits and three RBIs.

Laudano had three hits, including a home run, and five RBIs in the nightcap. Gianna Graham also had a home run and Alex Fargeorge had three hits and three RBIs for the Governors.

Coginchaug 9, Cromwell 0: Pitcher Mari Handley had seven strikeouts and allowed one hit to lead the Blue Devils to their Shoreline Conference win in Durham.

East Haven 6, Hand 4: Carlee Brigante had two hits and two RBIs to lead the Easties (8-3) to their SCC interdivision win in Madison.

Katie Omdahl led the Tigers (3-8) with three hits.

No. 10 Amity 10, Mercy 4: Corina Zdrowski had two singles, a triple, an RBI and three runs for the visiting Spartans in this SCC interdivision win at Middletown.

Jenna DiLorenzo added two hits, three runs and an RBI for Amity (10-1).

Read more Roundup here.

VOTE for Guilford's Leah Torre for Friday's STAR.

MILFORD — All season long, Jonathan Law softball coach Melanie Paolini has stated how strong her team’s lineup is. Paolini feels no matter what part of the order is up, the leadoff batter can start a rally.

Law showed just how true this is, scoring three times in the fifth inning to defeat Guilford 3-1at a soggy Jonathan Law Thursday afternoon.

“We have hitters all through the lineup,” Paolini said. “No matter where we are, we feel we can hit the ball. We got a few in a row today. We got some big hits from some freshmen and sophomores. They had ice in their veins.”
Read more from Mike Madera here.

ROUNDUP

Hayley Spragg tossed a no-hitter with eight strikeouts for the Lauralton Hall softball team, which beat Notre Dame-Fairfield 14-0 in five innings Thursday in a South-West Conference home win.

Mariel Schlaefer, Marisa Dowling and Maureen Connolly all homered for the Crusaders (5-2). Lindsey Spitz was 3-for-3 with two doubles and two runs and three RBIs for Lauralton Hall. Notre Dame dropped to 4-6.

Read more Roundup here.

VOTE for Spragg for Thursday's STAR

LAW 3, GUILFORD 1

(at Milford)

Highlights

Stephanie Cameron, Justine Bannon and Danielle Gray all drove in runs in the fifth inning to lead the host Eagles to this SCC Hammonasset Division win.

Law: Stephanie Peloso and Cameron each had two hits. Amanda Leone, Bannon and Gray scored.
Guilford: Leah Torre doubled. Pinch runner Sheryl Pawlik scored in the fourth inning.

WP: Jenna Bernard, Law (W 9-1) 7 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 8 BB, 3 Ks
LP: Leah Torre, Guilford (L 7-3) 6 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 Ks


Team records: Guilford 7-3 (2-2 SCC Hammonasset Division); Law 9-1 (4-0)

North  Haven holds off East Haven.

IN OTHER ACTION

Torrington shutouts Ansonia



No. 5 Foran 8, Hand 1: Pitcher Jess Harkness allowed three hits and struck out six to lead the Lions to their SCC Quinnipiac win.

Dani Kemp had two doubles and three RBIs for the Lions (9-1). Mel Rennie had an RBI triple and pitcher Annie Horton had six strikeouts for the Tigers (3-7).

Law 8, Hamden 1: Stephanie Peloso had two doubles and Lea Finch had a two-run double for the host Eagles in this SCC interdivision win at Milford.

Justine Bannon added a double for Law (8-1). Zoe Fanolis had two hits, including a triple, for the Green Dragons (4-5).

Guilford 24, Hillhouse 0: Leah Torre and Francesca Zuppardi combined on a no-hitter and struck out 13 for the host Indians in this SCC Hammonasset Division win.


For more roundup, click here.



North Haven's Brittany Murray has been nominated for Wednesday's STAR.

NORTH HAVEN 4, EAST HAVEN 2

East Haven scored twice in the bottom of the seventh inning in an attempt to rally from a 4-0 deficit, but fell short in this SCC Oronoque Division contest to North Haven, losing 4-2. The Easties had two runners on with two outs, but a deep fly out ended the game.

HIGHLIGHTS

NORTH HAVEN: Kristyn Cullen had a hit, a run and two RBIs,  Brittany Murray had three hits and an RBI and Mary Casey had a hit and drove in a run.
EAST HAVEN: Gabby Comesanas had two hits and a run and Veronica Hribko had a hit and an RBI.

WP: Arianna Pustari, North Haven (W 6-2): 7 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 5 Ks
LP: Talia Loda, East Haven: 7 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 4ER, 1 BB, 3 Ks

Team records: North Haven 7-3 (4-0); East Haven 6-3 (3-1)

No. 1 Seymour 4, Holy Cross 2: Sarah Molin and Brianna Donnarummo each had two hits for Seymour (10-0) in a NVL win at Waterbury. Kaitlyn Shortell had two hits and an RBI for Holy Cross (5-5).

Cheshire 4, East Haven 2: Caroline Kushner went 2-for-4 with an RBI double in the Rams SCC interdivision win at Cheshire.

Nicole D’Amato picked up the win for Cheshire (6-3). Brianna Spadacenta went 3-for-3 with a home run and a triple for East Haven (6-2).

For more roundup and summaries, click here.

VOTE for Tuesday's STAR

Hand 5, West Haven 1: Annie Horton allowed four hits and struck out 10 for the host Tigers in this Southern Connecticut Conference interdivision win at Madison. Alyssa Ahern had two hits and two RBIs for Hand (3-6).

Haddam-Killingworth 18, Westbrook 0: Sam Waskowitz went 3-for-4 with a home, a triple, two runs and four RBIs for Haddam-Killingworth in a Shoreline Conference win at Higganum.

Casey Jackson also had three hits, including a homer, with two runs and six RBIs for the Cougars (5-3, 4-2). Kaitlin MacMillan had three hits for the White Knights (2-7).
For more summaries, click here.




TUESDAY'S SCHEDULE
CSC
Platt Tech at Goodwin Tech, 4 p.m.
FCIAC
Danbury at St. Joseph, 4 p.m.
NVL
Crosby at Ansonia, 3:30 p.m.
Woodland at Naugatuck, 3;30 p.m.
Seymour at Holy Cross
Kennedy at Derby
Shoreline
Morgan at Portland
SCC Housatonic
Amity at Sheehan
SCC Oronoque
Wilbur Cross at North Haven
Branford at Career (East Shore);
SCC Hammonasset
Hillhouse at Foran, 4 p.m.
SCC interdivision
East Haven at Cheshire, 4 p.m.
SWC
Weston at Stratford (DeLuca Field), 4:15 p.m.
Barlow at Bunnell, 4:15 p.m.

Most of Monday's games have been postponed, but below are some games of note being contested later this week.

Tuesday

No. 10 Amity (7-1) at Sheehan (6-2), 3:45 p.m.: The winner claims sole possession of first place in the SCC Housatonic Division.

Wednesday

Coginchaug (6-2) at Hale-Ray (3-3), 3:45 p.m.: One of the biggest rivalries in the Shoreline Conference. The two programs have combined to win 15 Class S titles.They've met five times in the championship game.

North Haven (5-3) at East Haven (6-1), 3:45 p.m.: The teams tied for the SCC Oronoque Division title last season.

Thursday

Guilford (6-2) at Law (7-1), 4 p.m.: During this critical SCC Hammonasset Division contest, the teams will raise money for breast cancer awareness.

Friday

Danbury (8-0) at Darien (6-2), 4 p.m.: Upstart Danbury has gotten off to a quick start. But the Hatters should be tested by pitcher Jessica DeMaio and the Blue Wave.

Saturday

Oxford (7-1) at No. 2 Brookfield (7-0), 3 p.m.: Freshman pitcher Ashley Guillette and the Wolverines make the trip to Brookfield for this highly anticipated SWC contest.

Check out a video with Platt Tech captain Alyssa Donovan, Julia Navarro and Stephany Honafius.

Here's what we have so far. Check back later for updates.

FCIAC
Danbury at St. Joseph, ppd. to Tuesday, 4 p.m.
CSC
O’Brien Tech at Kaynor Tech, ppd. to Thursday, 3:30 p.m.
Whitney Tech at Abbott Tech, ppd. to May 1, 3:30 p.m.
NVL
Crosby at Ansonia, ppd. to Tuesday, 3:30 p.m.
Woodland at Naugatuck, ppd. to Tuesday, 3:30 p.m.
Seymour at Holy Cross, ppd. to Tuesday, 3:45 p.m.
Kennedy at Derby, ppd. to Tuesday, 4 p.m.
Shoreline
Coginchaug at Old Lyme, ppd., TBA
East Hampton at North Branford, ppd., TBA
Morgan at Portland, ppd. to Tuesday, 3:45 p.m.
SCC Quinnipiac
Hamden at Sacred Heart Academy, ppd. to Thursday, 3;45 p.m.
SCC Housatonic
Amity at Sheehan, ppd. to Tuesday, 3:45 p.m.
SCC Oronoque
Wilbur Cross at North Haven, ppd. to Tuesday, 3:45 p.m.
Branford at Career (East Shore Athletic Complex), ppd. to Tuesday. 4 p.m.
SCC Hammonasset
Hillhouse at Foran, ppd. to Tuesday, 4 p.m.
Guilford at Law, ppd. to Thursday, 4 p.m.
SCC interdivision
East Haven at Cheshire, ppd. to Tuesday, 4 p.m.
SWC
Kolbe Cathedral at Stratford (DeLuca Field), ppd., TBA
Barlow at Bunnell, ppd. to Tuesday, 4:15 p.m.

When a team leaves an opponent on the field in the bottom of the final inning is arguably one of the most exciting moments in softball.

For Law, doing it against city rival Foran, then ranked No. 2 in the Register Top 10 Poll, just added to the drama.

That’s what happened to the last Wednesday when Law emerged with a 2-1 victory over the previously undefeated Lions.

Catcher Amanda Leone scored the winning run on an error in the bottom of the seventh inning. Senior shortstop Melissa Nelson drove in a run in the win.


Read more of Monday's Notebook here.


Seymour remains No. 1 in Top 10 Poll

DIAMOND GEMS

HIT PARADE

Gillian Fortier, Naugatuck: Sophomore had four hits, including a grand slam, and finished with seven RBIs and two runs in a 13-1 win over Crosby on Monday. 

ACES

Andrea Chiaradio, Stonington: Junior pitched a perfect game and struck out all 21 batters she faced in a 3-0 win over Norwich Free Academy on Saturday.

TEAM EFFORT

Law: Defeated Hand, Foran and Hillhouse to improve to 7-1 and 3-0 in the Southern Connecticut Conference Hammonasset Division.

WATCH THIS

Amity (7-1) at Sheehan (6-2), today, 3:45 p.m.: The winner takes sole possession of first place in the SCC Housatonic Division.

For more Diamond Gems, click here.

Here is the ballot I submitted this week for the Register Top 10 Softball Poll. You can view the past week's Top 10 Poll here.

I will post the poll later on-line. You can view the complete poll in Monday's print editions.


1. Seymour
2. Brookfield
3. Maloney
4. Foran
5. Southington
6. Masuk
7. Rockville
8. Waterford
9. Westhill
10. Amity
11. Granby
12. Rocky Hill
13. Mercy
14. Guilford
15. Law

MIDDLETOWN — The prescription for pitching success never changes. Games can be won if your pitcher gives up just hits or if she gives up just walks. But give up both and you will most certainly lose.

That’s what happened to Mercy Friday afternoon in its softball showdown with highly regarded Foran of Milford. Tigers pitcher Mary Adametz gave up five walks, hit three batters and was reached for six hits as Mercy lost 9-4 at Mercy High School.

Four of Foran’s first six runs were scored by batters who had either been hit by a pitch or reached on a walk.
Read more from Jim Bransfield here.

DURHAM — If there was any doubt Courtney Votto would live in her sister’s softball shadow, it’s gone now.

Coginchaug’s freshman third baseman — sister to All-Shoreline talent Kayla Votto — knocked an RBI double in the sixth inning and led the Blue Devils to a comeback win against Haddam-Killingworth Friday in Durham, 3-2.

Tied at 2, the younger Votto bashed a one-out double that scored Jackie Benson, putting the Blue Devils ahead for the first time in a typical seesaw Shoreline game.

Read more from Joe Pelletier here.

Sarah Molin doubled and then scored on Carissa Wasikowski’s single in the bottom of the seventh inning to lift host Seymour, the top-ranked team in the Register Poll, to 3-2 walk-off victory over Naugatuck in this Naugatuck Valley League contest.

Brianna Donnarummo singled, doubled and drove in a run for the Wildcats (9-0), while Kelly Ferris allowed just two hits and struck out six.

Alexa Marucci and Nina Kosciuszek had the only hits for the Greyhounds (5-3).

No. 2 Foran 9, Mercy 4: Brooke Phelan had two hits and an RBI for the visiting Lions in this SCC interdivision win at Middletown.

Law 25, Hillhouse 2: Melissa Nelson had five hits, including the 100th of her career, for the visiting Eagles in this SCC Hammonasset Division win at New Haven.

Guilford 2, Hand 0: Leah Torre tossed a no-hitter and struck out 10 for the host Indians in this SCC Hammonasset Division win.

For more roundup and boxscores, click here.

Vote for Friday's STAR. Nominees include Guilford's Leah Torre and Law's Melissa Nelson.

SATURDAY'S SLATE

Non-league

North Branford at Trumbull, 11 a.m.
Hale-Ray at Middletown, 11 a.m.

NVL

Derby at St. Paul, 11 a.m.

Preps

Hopkins at Williston Northampton, 1:30 p.m.

THURSDAY'S RECAP

Old Saybrook 8, East Hampton 3: Winning pitcher Alexis Trabucchi allowed just five hits and helped her cause with two hits and two runs to lead the visiting Rams to a Shoreline Conference win.

Lauren Pascoe went 3-for-4, including a three-run home run for Old Saybrook (4-4).

Hale-Ray 13, Portland 0: Rachel Pease had three hits and three RBIs to lead the visiting Noises to this Shoreline Conference win.

Lydia Walter added two singles and a triple for Hale-Ray (2-3, 2-1).

St. Joseph 4, Bunnell 0: Tori Ceballos allowed two hits and struck out 12 for the host Cadets in this non-conference win at Trumbull.

Taryn Figmic had an RBI double for St. Joseph (5-3).

Kelly Scofield had both hits, including a double, for the Bulldogs (4-3).

Read Thursday's summaries here.

VOTE for Pascoe for Thursday's STAR

FRIDAY'S SCHEDULE
CSC

Wolcott Tech at O’Brien Tech, 3:30 p.m.
Whitney Tech at Bullard Havens Tech (Beardsley Diamond 3), 4 p.m.
Wilcox Tech at Platt Tech (Foote Field), 4 p.m.

NVL

Ansonia at Wilby, 3:30 p.m.
Derby at Sacred Heart (Municipal Stadium), 4 p.m.
Naugatuck at Seymour, 5 p.m.

Shoreline

Old Saybrook at East Hampton
Westbrook at North Branford
Morgan at Cromwell
Haddam-Killingworth at Coginchaug
Hale-Ray at Old Lyme, 4 p.m.

SCC Oronoque

Career at Wilbur Cross, 10:30 a.m.

SCC interdivision

North Haven at Amity, 10:30 a.m.
Foran at Mercy, 4 p.m.

SCC Hammonasset

Law at Hillhouse (Blackmon Field), noon

SCC Housatonic

Lyman Hall at Sheehan, 1 p.m.
Cheshire at Shelton, 4 p.m.

SCC Quinnipiac

West Haven at Sacred Heart Academy

SCC Hammonasset

Hand at Guilford

SWC

Lauralton Hall at Barlow, 4:15 p.m.
Bunnell at Oxford, 4:15 p.m.
Stratford at Brookfield, 4:15 p.m.

Arianna Pustari, North Haven softball: Sophomore had a no-hitter against West Haven, a two-hitter against Law, and had five strikeouts in a 5-1 win over Cheshire.


Honor roll

Casey Harding, Cheshire softball: Freshman had three hits, two RBIs, and scored the winning run in a 5-4 eight-inning victory over Guilford.

Meagan Halligan, North Branford softball: Senior pitched a perfect game with 11 strikeouts in an 11-0 win over Portland.

Amanda Leone scored the winning run on an error in the bottom of the seventh inning as the host Law softball team defeated Foran 2-1 in a Southern Connecticut Conference Hammonasset game in Milford.

Melissa Nelson had a RBI for the Eagles (6-1, 2-0).

Bryzy Gondki had two hits for Foran (6-1, 1-1), which is ranked second in the Register Top 10 Poll.

Guilford 6, Sacred Heart Academy 3: Gabie Lanouette had two hits, two runs and two stolen bases for the host Indians in this SCC interdivision win.

Becky Mahoney and Katie Sperry each had two hits and Leah Torre struck out 11 for Guilford (5-2). Amanda Beecher hit a home run for the Pacers (2-6).

Torrington 3, Naugatuck 2: Winning pitcher Sydney Matzko allowed two hits, struck out 12 and drove in two runs for the host Red Raiders in this NVL win.

Brittany Young also drove in a run for Torrington (6-1).

Gillian Fortier had a triple, home run, RBI and two runs for the Greyhounds (5-2).

More roundup and summaries from Wednesday.

Hopkins' Caroline Pitkin has been nominated for STAR of the day. VOTE!

No. 6 Brookfield upends Lauralton Hall

Brookfield 3, Lauralton Hall 1
(at Milford)

Highlights

Wendi Westmark had a hit and two RBIs to lead the Bobcats to this South-West Conference win over the Crusaders in Milford. It was the second win for Brookfield over Lauralton Hall this season. The Bobcats won 14-7 on April.

Brookfield: Danielle DeMarco had two hits and scored twice. Brittany Fusek had an RBI single.
Lauralton Hall: Hayley Spragg had two hits and scored. Sydney Spitz had two hits.

WP: Fusek (6-0): 7 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
LP: Spragg (2-2): 7 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K

Records: Brookfield 6-0; Lauralton Hall 2-2

WEST HAVEN — A split of Tuesday’s doubleheader didn’t satisfy either the New Haven or Southern Connecticut State softball team.

It didn’t hurt either.

New Haven won the Northeast-10 Conference opener 4-2 before Jayme Larson threw a four-hit shutout in the second game as the Owls rolled to a 7-0 decision. With the split, both teams remained planted where they started Tuesday, the Owls in control of the NE-10 and the Chargers holding down the eighth and final conference playoff spot.

Naugatuck’s Alana Wesche (13-8) picked up a win and a loss on the day. The hard-throwing junior allowed one earned run in four innings to win the opener. Brooke Fisher, Shannon Angehr and Lucy Francisco had RBIs for New Haven.

Read more from Bill Cloutier here.

No. 2 Foran 5, Guilford 4: Brooke Phelan scored the winning run on Dani Kemp’s walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning to lift the host Lions to this SCC Hammonasset Division win at Milford.

Phelan, who had two hits and an RBI, walked and then stole second before Kemp drove her home for Foran (6-0, 1-0).

Becky Mahoney had two hits and two RBIs for the Indians (4-2, 0-1).

No. 10 Amity 7, Shelton 6: Corina Zdrowski scored from first base on Julie Luce’s walk-off double to lift the host Spartans to this SCC Housatonic Division win at Woodbridge.

Jacquie Ferraiolo scored the tying run on Luce’s hit. Jenna DiLorenzo hit a two-run double for Amity (5-1).

More Monday roundup here.

Hamden holds off West Haven.

Hamden's Angelica Colon has been nominated for Monday's STAR. VOTE!

Tuesday's Schedule

Monday's games are already in progress (including Guilford at No. 2 Foran and Rocky Hill at No. 3 Southington), but below are some games of note being contested later this week.

Tuesday

Granby (6-0) at Haddam-Killingworth (3-1), 4 p.m.: Granby's unbeaten season could be in jeopardy here.

Wednesday

Oxford (4-1) at No. 4 Masuk (5-0) , 4;15 p.m.: Should be a good pitcher's duel between Oxford freshman Ashley Guillette and the Panthers' sophomore Tatum Buckley.

No. 6 Brookfield (4-0) at Lauralton Hall (1-1), 3:15 p.m.: Brookfield defeated the Crusaders 14-7 on April 11.

Thursday

No. 9 Griswold (5-0) at No. 5 Waterford (4-0) , 4 p.m.: Perhaps the two best program's in the Eastern Connecticut Conference square off here.

Friday

No. 2 Foran (5-0) at Mercy (4-1), 4 p.m.: Mercy has a potent offense, but just how good will it be against Lions' sophomore pitcher Jess Harkness?

North Haven (4-2) at No. Amity (4-1), 3:45 p.m.: North Haven's Arianna Pustari is perhaps the most underrated pitcher in the Southern Connecticut Conference.

Haddam-Killingworth (3-1) at Coginchaug (4-1), 3:45 p.m.: H-K heads back to Shoreline Conference play against the Blue Devils, whose only loss is to Waterford.

Naugatuck (4-1) at No. 1 Seymour (6-0), 5 p.m.: Key Naugatuck Valley League tilt.

Saturday

No. 5 Waterford (4-0) at Rockville (4-0), 1 p.m.: Intriguing non-conference meeting. Rockville is one of the better teams in the Central Connecticut Conference and should challenge the Lancers.

Naturally, East Haven will spend its spring vacation on a softball diamond. Just not one in this state, though.

During this week, the Easties will play nine unofficial contests, including three (Newington, East Hartford and Suffield) against fellow teams from Connecticut, at the Disney Wide World of Sports Athletic Complex in Orlando, Fla.

It’s a trip coach Ed Crisafi and the Easties last made in 2007, and the fifth overall for Crisafi.

Crisafi said expenses, among other factors, kept the program from traveling more frequently.

Read more here.


Seymour still No. 1 in latest Top 10 Poll.

Diamond Gems

A recap of last week's top performances.

HIT PARADE

Lauren Fitzgerald, Morgan: Senior hit three home runs and finished with four hits and four RBIs in a 12-9 win over Old Saybrook on Friday.

ACES

Meagan Halligan, North Branford: Senior pitched a perfect game and struck out 11 in an 11-0 win over Portland on Wednesday.

TEAM EFFORT

Foran: Defending Class L champions have started 5-0, including wins over Lyman Hall and previously undefeated East Haven last week.

WATCH THIS

North Branford (4-2) at Coginchaug (4-1), today, 3:45 p.m.: Two of the perennial powers in the Shoreline Conference square off in Durham.

For more Diamond Gems, click here.

Here is the ballot I submitted for the Register Top 10 Softball Poll. (Preseason poll can be viewed here).

I'll post the poll on-line later tonight. You can view the poll in the Register's print editions on Monday.



1. Masuk
2. Seymour
3. Foran
4. Southington
5. Waterford
6. Griswold
7. Maloney
8. Brookfield
9. Westhill
10. Amity
11. Mercy
12. Guilford
13. Rocky Hill
14. Darien
15. Torrington

MOODUS — Hale-Ray’s Katelyn Nichisti was perfect through 11 batters.

But not 12.

Seymour’s Carissa Wasikowski smacked a two-out triple in the fourth to break up Nichisti’s gem, teammate Katie Petroski hit two homers and the Wildcat bats woke up in a 6-2 win at Hale-Ray on Saturday.

Every run of the game was scored with two outs.

Wasikowski also pitched four shutout innings and homered (Wasikowski and Petroski combined to hit the center-field fence four times) as No. 1 Seymour improved to 6-0. Ninth-ranked Hale-Ray dropped to 1-3.

Read more from Joe Pelletier here.

Seymour's Katie Petroski has been nominated for Saturday's STAR. VOTE!

Foran is a nominee for Team of the Week! VOTE!

Friday's Finest

Law 6, Sacred Heart Academy 5 (8): Stephanie Peloso went 4-for-5, including an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning to help Law win the SCC interdivision game at Milford.

Peloso scored the tying run in the seventh on an RBI single from Jenna Bernard for the Eagles. Amanda Beecher had two doubles for the Pacers.

Morgan 12, Old Saybrook 9: Lauren Fitzgerald hit three home runs and finished with four hits and four RBIs for the visiting Huskies in this Shoreline Conference win.

Read all of Friday's area roundup here.

Saturday's slate

Non-league
Westbrook at Wheeler, 11 a.m.
Seymour at Hale-Ray, 2 p.m.
Preps
Kingswood-Oxford at Hopkins, 11 a.m.
Hopkins at Taft, 3 p.m.

Jess Harkness, Foran knock off East Haven


Law's Stephanie Peloso and Foran's Jess Harkness have been nominated for Friday's Star of the Day. VOTE!

Foran, the defending Class L champions, rode the arm of sophomore Jess Harkness to knock off East Haven in this battle of unbeaten teams in SCC action on Friday.

FORAN 3, EAST HAVEN 1

(at East Haven)

Highlights

Foran: Marissa Bruno had three hits and two RBIs. Brooke Phelan had two hits and scored.
East Haven: Tiffani Cancel had a hit. Amanda Palmieri scored.

WP: Jess Harkness (5-0), 7 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 17 Ks
LP: Talia Loda (1-1), 7 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 Ks

Team records: Foran 5-0; East Haven 6-1

Foran's SS Brooke Phelan

Friday's Finest

No. 2 Foran (4-0) at East Haven (6-0), 4 p.m.: Foran, the defending Class L champs, visits upstart East Haven, who's out to prove it belongs to be mentioned as one of the SCC's heavyweights.

I'll be at this game. Follow my updates on Twitter @MikePucciNHR

East Haven's Veronica Hribko is a nominee for Thursday's STAR. VOTE!

Friday's Area Schedule

Shoreline

Old Lyme at Westbrook, 11 a.m.

Morgan at Old Saybrook

North Branford at Valley Regional

Haddam-Killingworth at Hale-Ray

CSC

Wilcox Tech at O’Brien Tech, 11 a.m.

Vinal Tech at Whitney Tech (Pine Rock Park), 11 a.m.

Platt Tech at Kaynor Tech, 4 p.m.

NVL

Naugatuck at Wilby (Bucks Hill Park), 3:30 p.m.

Ansonia at Woodland, 3:30 p.m.

Holy Cross at Derby, 4 p.m.

SCC interdivision

West Haven at Amity

Hamden at Guilford

Sacred Heart Academy at Law

Cheshire at North Have

Lyman Hall at Wilbur Cross

Mercy at Hand, 4 p.m.

Foran at East Haven, 4 p.m.

Sheehan at Branford, 4 p.m.

SWC

Stratford at Lauralton Hall, 4:15 p.m.

Kolbe Cathedral at Bunnell, 4:15 p.m.

NEW HAVEN — A friendly duel is becoming a bit historic for the Southern Connecticut State softball team.

Sluggers Brittany Bucko and Alyssa Downs have belted their way into the ranks of the nation’s home run leaders. Along the way, their power show has vaulted SCSU into 18th in the national poll and first place in the Northeast-10 Conference.

Bucko slammed her 11th and 12th homers of the season on Wednesday, tying Downs for the team lead. The 12 homers tie the school’s single-season mark. Not bad for two stars who swear they never try to hit the long ball.

Read more from Bill Cloutier here.

Each Thursday we'll feature a former state high school softball standout now playing in college.


Rachele Fico, LSU

Position: Pitcher
Year: Junior
Hometown: Oxford
High school: Masuk
Fico's BIO from LSUsports.net







2012 Season Stats

W/L: 14-4
ERA: 0.81
IP: 120.2
ER: 14
H: 78
BB: 36
K: 121

Fico Among USA Softball Player of the Year Finalists

Fico has amassed a 14-4 record with a blistering 0.81 ERA and is one of only two pitchers during the 2012 season to defeat No. 2 Alabama. The junior right-hander accomplished this feat in-front of a Rhoads Stadium record crowd of 3,521 fans.

Fico has won seven straight decisions going back to March 16 and already tossed nine shutouts highlighted by a quartet of one-hitters. The four-time Louisiana Pitcher of the Week is ranked in the Top five nationally in ERA and shutouts. In her four losses on the season, Fico has received only one total run of support.

Photo credit:
BRIANNA PACIORK/The Daily Reveille

Meagan Halligan pitched a perfect game and struck out 11 for North Branford, which beat Portland 11-0 in this Shoreline Conference victory at Portland.

Kayla Nowak had two hits, including a home run, three RBIs and two runs and Bailey McGinnis tripled and scored twice for North Branford (4-1).

For her efforts, Halligan has been nominated for Wednesday's STAR. VOTE!

In other games,

Sacred Heart Academy 5, Sheehan 2: Amanda Beecher had two hits and two runs for the host Pacers in this SCC interdivision win at Hamden.


Haddam-Killingworth 8, Morgan 6: Lauren McCann hit a solo homer and Jamie Corda went 3-for-3 with two RBIs, including two doubles, to lead the Cougars (2-1) to their Shoreline Conference win in Haddam. Jamie Fitzgerald had two hits and two runs scored for the Huskies (1-2).


Read more roundup, and check out box scores here.


No. 1 Seymour blanks Torrington

Wednesday's Watch
Torrington (3-0) at No. 1 Seymour (4-0): Torrington pitcher Sydney Matzko has thrown two straight no-hitters. Can she shutdown a Seymour offense that is averaging 13.8 runs per game?

Cheshire (3-0) at Mercy (3-1): Mercy has won three straight since being shutout by Amity in the season opener.

No. 4 Lauralton Hall (0-0) at Brookfield (2-0): The season, finally!, gets underway for Lauralton Hall.


Wednesday's area schedule.
All games 3:45 p.m. unless noted
CSC
Abbott Tech at O’Brien Tech, 10 a.m.
Bullard-Havens Tech at Platt Tech (Foote Field), 11 a.m.
Kaynor Tech at Whitney Tech (Pine Rock Park), 3:30 p.m.
NVL
Ansonia at Wolcott, noon
Naugatuck at Kennedy, 3:30 p.m.
Torrington at Seymour
Woodland at Derby, 4 p.m.
CCC
Maloney at Bristol Central
Shoreline
Old Lyme at Valley Regional
North Branford at Portland
Morgan at Haddam-Killingworth
Old Saybrook at Coginchaug
SCC interdivision
Wilbur Cross at Guilford
North Haven at Law
Career at Hillhouse (Blackmon Field)
Shelton at West Haven
Cheshire at Mercy
Amity at Hamden
Sheehan at Sacred Heart Academy
Branford at Hand, 4 p.m.
SWC
Lauralton Hall at Brookfield, 4:15 p.m.
New Fairfield at Bunnell, 4:15 p.m.
Notre Dame-Fairfield at Stratford (DeLuca Field), 4:15 p.m.

Monday's Highlights

North Haven 2, West Haven 0: Arianna Pustari tossed a no-hitter with six strikeouts, missing the perfect game by one hit batsman, for North Haven in a SCC interdivision home win.

No. 1 Seymour 5, Woodland 2: Kelly Ferris allowed four hits and struck out 11 for top-ranked Seymour in a NVL win at Beacon Falls.

North Branford 4, Haddam-Killingworth 2: Pitcher Meagan Halligan allowed two runs on four hits to lead the Thunderbirds to their Shoreline Conference win at North Branford.

East Haven 4, Sacred Heart Academy 3: Veronica Hribko singled leading off the seventh and scored the game-winning run off a wild pitch.


Cheshire rallies past Guilford in eight innings

North Haven's Arianna Pustari and Cheshire's Casey Harding have been nominated for Monday's star. VOTE for your favorite.

Check out all of Monday's box scores.

CHESHIRE — Smart baserunning and playing small ball have been recent trademarks of the Cheshire softball program.

That combination again proved successful for the Rams on Monday against Guilford.

With no outs in the bottom of the eighth inning and runners on first and second, Kathryn Vitale laid down a bunt, beat the throw to first and freshman Casey Harding scored from second to give the Rams a walk-off, 5-4 Southern Connecticut Conference interdivision victory.

Read more here.

After Cheshire's thrilling 5-4 win in eight innings over Guilford on Monday, the home dugout was dedicated to the memory of Raymond DeLouise, who died in a motorcycle accident in 2009.
DeLouise's daughter Amanda was a co-captain for the Rams in 2007.

A plaque will be placed on the dugout in DeLouise's memory. The Cheshire softball field features new dugouts, fence and a handicap ramp surrounding the outside of the home plate area and extending to each dugout.

"It's definitely a big day for us to honor him," Cheshire coach Maureen DiSorbo said. "He's a big reason why a lot of this was getting done."

The town contributed some money towards the renovation, while money for the dugouts (around $7,000) was raised through donations from several sources. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Cheshire park and recreation commission was able to set aside funds for the project.

Here's a link to a memory page for Raymond DeLouise.
Read more about DeLouise from the Cheshire Herald.

Freshman Casey Harding scored from second base after Kathryn Vitale beat the throw to first on a bunt to lift the host Rams to this extra-inning victory Monday.

CHESHIRE 5, GUILFORD 4 (8)
(at Cheshire)

HIGHLIGHTS

Cheshire: Harding had three hits and two RBIs. Kierstyn Bourdeau had a two-run triple that tied the game at 4 in the bottom of the seventh inning. Vitale had two hits.
Guilford: Brittney Maio had a two-run inside-the-park home run. Leah Torre had an RBI single.

WP: Nicole D'Amato, Cheshire (3-0): 8 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 3ER, 2 BB, 8 Ks
LP: Torre, Guilford (2-1): 7 IP (no outs when winning run scored), 12 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 8 Ks

Team records: Guilford 2-1; Cheshire 3-0

All games 3:45 p.m. unless noted
NVL
Derby at Ansonia, 4 p.m.
Seymour at Woodland, 3:30 p.m.
Non-league
Coginchaug at Waterford
CCC
Maloney at Northwest Catholic
CSC
Abbott Tech at Platt Tech (Foote Field), 10 a.m.
O’Brien Tech at Whitney Tech (Pine Rock Park), 11 a.m.
Shoreline
Old Saybrook at Valley Regional, 11 a.m.
Portland at Old Lyme (Town Woods Park)
East Hampton at Westbrook
Haddam-Killingworth at North Branford
SCC interdivision
West Haven at North Haven, 3:30 p.m.
Hand at Amity
Guilford at Cheshire
Hillhouse at Shelton
Sacred Heart Academy at East Haven
Hamden at Wilbur Cross
Mercy at Career (East Shore), 4 p.m.
Law at Sheehan, 4 p.m.
Foran at Lyman Hall, 4 p.m.
Preps
Greenwich Academy at Hopkins, 4:30 p.m.

Mercy sophomore Mary Adametz had a grand slam, triple and a double and drove in 10 runs in a 22-9 win over North Haven on Thursday.


To view complete roundup with box scores, click here.

In other games:

Gina Georgetti doubled home Marissa Bruno with the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning as No. 2 Foran slipped past Amity 1-0.

Melissa Nelson went 4-for-4, including a triple, and had three RBIs and two runs for Law in a 12-0 winover Lyman Hall.

Talia Loda allowed three hits and struck out five for East Haven in a 3-1 win over West Haven.

Amity shut outs Mercy---Read the game story here.

Linescores, roundup from every area game. Check it out here.

Vote for Wednesday's Star

Amity 6, Mercy 0
(at Woodbridge)

Amity: C.J. Semones and Emily Fox each had a hit and two RBIs.
Mercy: Steph Mangiameli had two hits.
WP: Dana Blydenburg (Amity) 7 IP, 3 H, O R, 1 BB, 7 Ks
LP: Mary Adametz (Mercy) 6 IP, 4 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 3 Ks
Team records: Mercy 0-1; Amity 1-0

Opening Day is here!

CSC
Prince Tech at Whitney Tech (Pine Rock Park), 3:30 p.m.
O’Brien Tech at Wolcott Tech, 4 p.m.
NVL
Watertown at Ansonia, 3:30 p.m.
Seymour at Derby, 4 p.m.
Wolcott at Naugatuck, 4:15 p.m.
Non-league
Stratford at Platt Tech (Foote Field), 3:30 p.m.
Haddam-Killingworth at Litchfield, 4 p.m.
Valley Regional at Montville, 4 p.m.
Hale-Ray at Griswold, 4 p.m.
CCC
E.O. Smith at Maloney
Shoreline
Morgan at Old Lyme (Town Woods Park)
SCC interdivision
Hand at East Haven
Career at Law
Mercy at Amity
Sacred Heart Academy at Shelton
Hamden at Lyman Hall
Foran at North Haven, 4 p.m.
Guilford at Branford, 4 p.m.
West Haven at Cheshire, 4 p.m.
FCIAC
St. Joseph at New Canaan, 4 p.m.

From the Middletown Press

MOODUS — The thought of last year’s state softball title is never far from Lydia Walter.

Hale-Ray’s senior co-captain sees it with every preseason swing, hears it with the thud of every pitch into her catcher’s mitt, and senses it with every signal from head coach Suzy Miner.

“It makes you realize just how hard we have to work this year,” Walter said. “Every drill, every swing and every bunt is going to make a difference.”

Read the complete story here.

Guilford's Leah Torre: One of the SCC's most complete pitchers. Read a feature story on Torre, a senior, who has the Indians positioned as one of the league's top contenders.


Preseason Top 10 Poll: Seymour begins the year at No. 1
Top 25 Players to Watch: Your guide to some of the state's top players

Conference previews: A breakdown of area conferences (SCC, Shoreline, NVL, SWC)

Top 10 Games to See: Want to see a big game? Check out the 10 on this list.