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Branford bounces back from rough start
Branford remained upbeat and positive despite losing its first eight games this season.
The Hornets had talent and experience, with eight seniors, including five who start, but little luck.
During the losing streak, Branford lost four games by one run.
But the Hornets rebounded to win four of their next five.
“It was just a matter of getting them to believe in their abilities and to not doubt themselves,” Branford coach Chuck Reale said. “The ability was there. We just kept saying that if you work hard, things will fall our way.”
The Hornets’ perseverance certainly paid off.
While Branford’s chances of reaching the state tournament once seemed dim, the Hornets won four of their last five games to qualify in Class L.
“I don’t think we turned things around, we just kept grinding it out,” Reale said. “It’s not like we went from rags to riches, we stayed steady. We took our lumps early and we had some fortuitous things happen in the second half and things went our way.”
A 1-0 victory over North Haven on May 6 was the first of four straight victories.
“That (defeating North Haven) started to get things moving, knowing it was a must win,” Reale said.
In that game, Nicole Carrano reached on a bunt single and then the next batter drew a walk. Carrano scored the game’s only run on Cassidy Murphy’s double.
Branford qualified for the state tournament with a 12-1 win over Career on Tuesday.
“It (qualifying for the state tournament) was tremendously satisfying after going 2-8 and the way we took some of the losses,” Reale said. “They knew the task at hand. This team very badly wanted to get in.”
While there aren’t any bona fide superstars on the roster, Reale says this group is consistent, committed and focused. Murphy leads the team with a .344 batting average.
Senior Lauren Atkinson started the year in the pitching circle, but junior Megan Ferraro emerged as the team’s No. 1 starter.
“When she is on, her ball moves,” Reale said. “She is not overpowering, but she has excellent control and excellent poise. She’s really unflappable.”
Ferraro and Murphy both were recently named to the all-SCC Oronoque Division team.
The Hornets had talent and experience, with eight seniors, including five who start, but little luck.
During the losing streak, Branford lost four games by one run.
But the Hornets rebounded to win four of their next five.
“It was just a matter of getting them to believe in their abilities and to not doubt themselves,” Branford coach Chuck Reale said. “The ability was there. We just kept saying that if you work hard, things will fall our way.”
The Hornets’ perseverance certainly paid off.
While Branford’s chances of reaching the state tournament once seemed dim, the Hornets won four of their last five games to qualify in Class L.
“I don’t think we turned things around, we just kept grinding it out,” Reale said. “It’s not like we went from rags to riches, we stayed steady. We took our lumps early and we had some fortuitous things happen in the second half and things went our way.”
A 1-0 victory over North Haven on May 6 was the first of four straight victories.
“That (defeating North Haven) started to get things moving, knowing it was a must win,” Reale said.
In that game, Nicole Carrano reached on a bunt single and then the next batter drew a walk. Carrano scored the game’s only run on Cassidy Murphy’s double.
Branford qualified for the state tournament with a 12-1 win over Career on Tuesday.
“It (qualifying for the state tournament) was tremendously satisfying after going 2-8 and the way we took some of the losses,” Reale said. “They knew the task at hand. This team very badly wanted to get in.”
While there aren’t any bona fide superstars on the roster, Reale says this group is consistent, committed and focused. Murphy leads the team with a .344 batting average.
Senior Lauren Atkinson started the year in the pitching circle, but junior Megan Ferraro emerged as the team’s No. 1 starter.
“When she is on, her ball moves,” Reale said. “She is not overpowering, but she has excellent control and excellent poise. She’s really unflappable.”
Ferraro and Murphy both were recently named to the all-SCC Oronoque Division team.
Labels: Branford, Cassidy Murphy, Chuck Reale, Megan Ferraro, SCC
posted by Mike Pucci at
6:07 PM
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