QUARTERFINALS

Monday

(at Woodland, Beacon Falls)

No. 3 Woodland vs. No. 6 Ansonia, 3:30 p.m.

No. 2 Torrington vs. No. 7 Wolcott, 30 minutes after first game

(at Naugatuck)

No. 1 Seymour vs. No. 8 Holy Cross, 3:30 p.m.

No. 4 Naugatuck vs. No. 5 Watertown, 30 minutes after first game

SEMIFINALS

Tuesday

(at Naugatuck)

4 p.m., second game to follow

CHAMPIONSHIP

Thursday

(at Naugatuck)

6 p.m.

STRATFORD — In the third inning Saturday, Lauralton Hall junior Jess Napolitano was thrown out at the plate trying to score on a Hayley Spragg single when Masuk center fielder Brittany Damota fired a laser to catcher Kayla Crisci.

But Napolitano would have another chance to be the hero.

Napolitano’s one-out single in the bottom of the ninth scored Alexa Dawid as the Crusaders walked off with a 5-4 South-West Conference victory over the fourth-ranked Panthers at DeLuca Field.

Read more here.

ROUNDUP

Law 4, Guilford 1: Stephanie Peloso had the go-ahead run and also added a triple for the Eagles (15-2) in an SCC win.

Katie Sperry had a double for Guilford (10-6).

Ansonia 8, Derby 0: Samantha Belenchia struck out 11 en route to a no-hitter for the Chargers in this NVL win.

Morgan Westine had two hits in the victory for Ansonia (10-7).


VOTE for Ansonia's Samantha Belenchia for Saturday's STAR!

VOTE for Ansonia for TEAM OF THE WEEK!
Read more Roundup here.

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.

More than just a softball game will take place when Derby visits Valley rival Ansonia on Thursday (4 p.m.).

The teams have joined up to hold a fund raising event for breast cancer awareness.

The game will serve as a benefit for the Connecticut affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation. Admission is $5 for all ages to enter the game. There will be food, raffle prizes and a 50-50 raffle. Proceeds will be donated to the Griffin Hospital (Derby) cancer center and to the Komen foundation.

"We're just trying to do as much as we can that day to raise money for breast cancer awareness because it hit so close to home for me and my wife," Derby coach Joe DiMartino said. "The girls really wanted to do something to make a difference."

Earlier this year, DiMartino's wife Lori was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer. Two weeks ago she had a double mastectomy and will find out later this week the course of treatment she will undergo during her recovery.

After Lori DiMartino's diagnosis, the Red Raiders decided to hold a charity event, something the softball team is doing for the first time.

The DiMartino's daughter Jordyn is a senior captain at Derby.

"We decided to play a game with Ansonia and make the proceeds go to breast cancer awareness," Jordyn said. "I think it would be a good thing if this could continue with Ansonia and be something that we can always do. "

Said Joe DiMartino: "I really wanted to have a Valley school involved. Tony (Piccolo), the AD over there (at Ansonia) has been fantastic. He's been very supportive, as has Lindsay Wheeler (the Ansonia coach). I think it's going to be a great day. I hope we get a lot of people to come out to support the cause and see a good softball game."

Joe DiMartino says the Derby players and coaches have worn pink shoelaces this season. (Pink is the international symbol for breast cancer awareness). His wife's diagnosis has certainly put life in perspective.

"You don't think it's ever going to happen to you and then it does," Joe DiMartino said. "There's definitely bigger things than softball. We're trying to make things as normal as possible for Jordyn because this is her senior year. I haven't missed too much as far as games or practice, but my wife comes first with appointments and everything else. I'm lucky to have such great assistants that I can leave the team with and know they will get everything done even if I'm not there."

Via the Derby softball program:

The Ansonia vs. Derby game on April 21 at 4 p.m. at Ansonia High will be a benefit for the Connecticut Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a foundation that raises awareness for breast cancer.

Admission is $5 for all ages. There will be food, raffle prizes, and a 50-50 raffle. All donations are welcomed and appreciated. All proceeds go to the Komen foundation.