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.

Tiffany Mangiameli doubled and later scored on a squeeze bunt by her sister, Stephanie Mangiameli, in the bottom of the seventh to lift the Mercy softball team to a 2-1 win over Southern Connecticut Conference Quinnipiac Division rival Sacred Heart Academy at Middletown on Monday.

Astin Donovan went 2-for-4, and winning Mary Adametz went 2-for-3 for Mercy (12-2). Molly Flowers went 2-for-3 for the Pacers (8-7).

MORE ROUNDUP

Branford 1, North Haven 0: Nicole Carrano bunted, went to second on a walk and then scored on Cassidy Murphy’s single to lead the host Hornets to an SCC Oronoque Division win.

Megan Ferraro allowed just five hits for Branford (5-11). Brianne Melillo had two hits for North Haven (10-6).

No. 6 East Haven 8, Sheehan 3: Miranda Baldassare collected her 100th career hit for the host Easties in an SCC interdivision win. Baldassare finished with two doubles.

Amanda Bradley and Amanda Jessey each had two hits for East Haven (15-1). Easties coach Ed Crisafi won his 200th career game.

Foran 8, No. 9 Hand 4: Marissa Bruno and Fallon Bevino each had two hits and two RBIs for the host Lions in an SCC Hammonasset Division win in Milford.

Dani Kemp had three hits, including two doubles, for Foran (12-3).

Amity 5, Cheshire 3: Corina Zdrowski had two hits and a run and Jenna DiLorenzo had a double, run and RBI for the host Spartans in this SCC Housatonic Division win in Woodbridge.

Jill DeMaio had a run-scoring single for Amity (11-4). Sara Como hit a two-run home run for the Rams (10-5).

Career 7, Wilbur Cross 3: Ashley Arroyo drove in two runs for the host Panthers in this SCC Oronoque Division win in New Haven. Valerie Mayes also drove in a run for Career (4-11).

Guilford 16, Hillhouse 1: Annie Jonathan had four hits and three runs for the host Indians in an SCC Hammonasset Division win.

Olivia Boudreau had a triple and four RBIs for Guilford (4-12). Ana Gomez had an RBI single for the Academics (1-13).

Seymour 16, Ansonia 2: Carissa Wasikowski had a single, double, triple and two RBIs for the host Wildcats in an Naugatuck Valley League win.

Katie Petroski had two singles, a double, three runs and two RBIs, and Amanda Harkins had two hits and two RBIs for Seymour (13-2). Kirsten Langrier had three hits for the Chargers (3-11).

Old Saybrook 5, Haddam-Killingworth 3: Emily Santamaria had three hits and drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh as the Rams beat the Cougars in Shoreline Conference play at Higganum.

Effie Gianitsos earned the win for Old Saybrook (11-2, 9-2 Shoreline). Taylor Burger had two hits, including a double, and drove in two runs for H-K (11-4, 11-1).

Hopkins 6, Hamden Hall 0: Sabrina Falcigno allowed one hit and struck out 12 for the Hilltoppers in a prep school win in Hamden.

Lauralton Hall 16, Weston 2: Jackie Brewster had a single, triple, home run, three runs and five RBIs for the host Crusaders in an South-West Conference win in Milford.

Alexa Dawid had a single, double, triple, three runs and three RBIs for Lauralton Hall (11-3).

Coginchaug 11, Valley Regional 5: Kayla Votto had two hits, three runs and two RBIs and Dina Canalia had three hits, two runs and an RBI for the visiting Blue Devils in this Shoreline Conference win at Deep River.

Courtney Votto had two hits, a run and an RBI and Deanna Pulchalski had three hits, a run and an RBI for Coginchaug.

BOX SCORES

The Register presents Diamond Gems, a look back at some of last week's top performances from the softball diamond.

HIT PARADE

Maureen Connolly, Lauralton Hall: Junior had a grand slam in a win over Bethel on Wednesday and a three-run home run and an RBI single in a win over New Fairfield on Friday.

Sam Monaco, North Branford: Senior had a triple, home run, three runs and two RBIs in a 12-5 win over Cromwell on Monday.

Brianna Spadacenta, East Haven: Senior had the 100th hit of her career in a win over Wilbur Cross on Wednesday and had three hits, including a two-run homer, in a 7-3 win over North Haven on Friday.

ACES

Lauren Atkinson, Branford: Senior allowed three hits and struck out 11 in a 7-2 win over Wilbur Cross on Friday.

Camdyn Morgillo, West Haven: Senior allowed four hits, struck out seven and helped her cause with two hits and scored the winning run in the eighth inning in a 1-0 win over Sheehan on Monday.

Francesca Zuppardi, Guilford: Senior pitched a no-hitter and struck out 10 in an 11-0 win over Career on Friday.

TEAM EFFORT

Hand: Earned four victories, including a 2-1 win over Foran, to improve to 8-1.

Mercy: The Tigers defeated Sacred Heart Academy, previously unbeaten Amity and West Haven to improve to 6-2.

Suffield: Defeated Haddam-Killingworth 4-2 in eight innings and Enfield 17-2 to remain unbeaten.

ON THE WEB

North Haven at West Haven, Wednesday, 7 p.m.: ESPNradio1300.com.

WATCH THIS

Goodwin Tech (7-2) at Platt Tech (6-3), today, 3:30 p.m. at Foote Field, Milford: This is Platt Tech coach Sue Murphy’s first chance to win career victory No. 400.

Haddam-Killingworth (5-2) at North Branford (6-2), Wednesday, 3:45 p.m.: Both teams are unbeaten in the Shoreline Conference Large Division entering this week.

Foran (6-2) at Amity (7-1), Wednesday, 3:45 p.m.: This is the only meeting between these two teams during the regular season.

Guilford 11, Career 0: Francesca Zuppardi pitched a no-hitter and struck out 10 for the Indians in this SCC interdivision home victory.

Allie Stephens had a single, double and three RBIs and Ashley Ignatowski drove in three runs for Guilford (3-7).

Old Saybrook 7, St. Bernard 0: Lauren Pascoe went 4-for-4, including a home run, with two runs and three RBIs for the visiting Rams in this non-conference win at Uncasville.

Emily Rose Santamaria and Laura MacLeod each drove in two runs for Old Saybrook (6-1).

Branford 7, Wilbur Cross 2: Lauren Atkinson allowed three hits and struck out 11 for the visiting Hornets in this SCC Oronoque Division win at New Haven.

East Haven 7, North Haven 3: Brianna Spadacenta had three hits, including a two-run homer, and Allison Luzzi added two hits and two RBIs to lead the Easties to their SCC Oronoque win in East Haven.

Jenna Gaudioso had two hits and two runs and pitcher Talia Loda had eight strikeouts for the Easties (9-1, 4-0).

Jess Seaver had two hits including a solo homer for the Indians (7-2, 3-1).

No. 3 Amity 7, Sheehan 1: Jenna DiLorenzo had three hits, including a three-run home run, for the host Spartans in this SCC Housatonic Division win at Woodbridge.

Julie Luce had two hits, a run and an RBI to Amity (7-1). Maddie Mizenko had two hits for the Titans (4-3).   \

No. 5 Foran 6, Law 5: Susie Anthony had a solo home run and an RBI single to lead the visiting Lions to this SCC Hammonasset Division win at Milford.

Ashley Mendillo had two hits for Foran (6-2). Stephanie Cameron had two hits and two RBIs for the Eagles (4-4).

Derby 6, Sacred Heart 5: Lindsay Sampson had a game-winning two-run single in the bottom seventh with two outs to lead the Red Raiders to their NVL win in Derby. Pitcher Rachel Rizzo had eighth strikeouts and Shelby Mendillo had two hits including a solo homer for the Red Raiders (1-7).

Seymour 5, Naugatuck 1: Winning pitcher Raeanne Geffert allowed six hits and helped her cause with three hits of her own for the visiting Wildcats in this Naugatuck Valley League win.

Emma Crocamo had three hits and Amanda Harkins had two hits for Seymour (6-2). Sydney Cotto had three hits for the Greyhounds (7-3).

Platt Tech 7, Wilcox Tech 2: Brooke Pawlak had two hits for the visiting Panthers in this Constitution State Conference win at Meriden.

Platt Tech (6-3) coach Sue Murphy earned her 399th career victory.

Morgan 6, Hale-Ray 4: Jamie Fitzgerald had two hits, two runs and an RBI for the visiting Huskies in this Shoreline Conference win at Moodus.

Sarah Thompson had two hits and two runs for Morgan (6-1). Missy Martin had a triple, run and two RBIs for the Noises (3-5).

Haddam-Killingworth 15, Coginchaug 8: Casey Jackson had four hits and four RBIs for the host Cougars in this Shoreline Conference win at Higganum.  
 

Sam Waskowitz had three hits and three RBIs for H-K (5-2, 5-0). Jackie Benson had three hits for the Blue Devils (3-4, 3-2).
FRIDAY'S LINESCORES

Career 5, Branford 4: Winning pitcher Brianna Longley had two hits and an RBI for the visiting Panthers in this SCC Oronoque Division win at Branford. Career is 2-6. Megan Ferraro struck out 10 for the Hornets (0-8).

East Haven 14, Wilbur Cross 0: Brianna Spadacenta got her 100th career hit in a rout for the Yellow Jackets (7-1) over the Governors (0-8).

No. 5 Foran 7, North Haven 1: Jess Harkness had a perfect game going into the sixth inning and Rebekah DeRosa added two hits and three RBIs in the Lions’ SCC interdivision victory in Milford.

Fallon Bevino, Gina Georgetti, Ashley Mendillo and Jenna Zacarelli all had two hits for Foran (5-2) in the win over North Haven (7-1).

Mercy 8, No. 3 Amity 1: The visiting Tigers scored eight times in the top of the seventh inning in this SCC interdivision win at Woodbridge.

Tyler Keegan had three hits, Madison DeRita had a double and an RBI and winning pitcher Mary Adametz had a run-scoring double for Mercy (5-2).

Teresa Marchitto had two hits and scored and Haley Cologgi had a hit and an RBI for the Spartans (6-1).

Hand 13, Guilford 5: Kate Boudreau went 4-for-5, including three doubles, with two RBIs for Hand in an SCC Hammonasset Division win at Guilford.

Mel Rennie went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and Anna Curcio hit a three-run home run for the Tigers (7-1). Aimee Munck went 2-for-3 with an RBI for the Indians (2-6).

Sheehan 5, Lyman Hall 0: Meghan Gavin had three hits and two runs for the host Titans in this SCC Housatonic Division win at Wallingford.  

Winning pitcher Sara Pisenelli had two hits and two RBIs for Sheehan (4-2).

Westbrook 3, East Hampton 0: Kaitlin MacMillan allowed one hit and struck out 12 for the host Knights in this Shoreline Conference win.

MacMillan helped her cause with a triple for Westbrook (3-3).

Law 16, Hillhouse 1: Shea Lagonigro had three hits and three RBIs for the host Eagles in this SCC Hammonasset Division win at Milford.

Jill Thiel and Lena Arnold each had two hits for Law (4-2), while Aubrey Bepko allowed three hits and struck out 10 in the SCC Hammonasset Division win.

Ana Gomez had a run-scoring double for the Academics (1-7).

Old Saybrook 6, Hale-Ray 3 (8): Kelsey Root had a single, double and two RBIs for the visiting Rams in this Shoreline Conference win at Moodus.

Laura McLeod had a triple and RBI for Old Saybrook (5-1). Jess Dombroski hit a home run for the Noises (3-4).

Lauralton Hall 9, Bethel 0: Maureen Connolly had two hits, including a grand slam, and four RBIS for the visiting Crusaders in this South-West Conference win at Bethel.

Jackie Brewster had three hits, including a triple, a run and an RBI for Lauralton Hall (4-2).

WEDNESDAY'S LINESCORES

Sacred Heart Academy 5, Cheshire 3: Winning pitcher Molly Flowers allowed just six hits and helped her cause with a solo home run for the visiting Pacers in this SCC interdivision win at Cheshire. Both teams are now 4-3.

East Haven 16, Career 0: Amanda Jessey had three hits and two runs and Allison Luzzi had three hits, three runs and two RBIs for the host Easties in this SCC Oronoque Division win.

Giovanna Russo had three hits and two runs and Talia Loda allowed four hits and struck out nine for East Haven (6-1, 2-0). Alivia Roseboro had two hits for the Panthers (1-6, 1-2).

Hand 2, Branford 1: Sam Pavano had the go-ahead RBI single that scored Kate Boudreau in the bottom of the fifth inning to lift the Tigers over the Hornets in SCC interdivision action at Madison.
Hand (6-1) pitcher Annie Horton struck out six and only allowed three hits in the complete game victory over Branford (0-7).

Platt Tech 8, Vinal Tech 3: Winning pitcher Brooke Pawlak had a home run and a double to lead the Panthers to this CSC win. Platt Tech is 4-3.

West Haven 9, Hamden 0: Sierra Santana was 3-for-4 with three RBIs and Camdyn Morgillo got the win and had three RBIs of her own in a SCC Quinnipiac Division road victory for the Blue Devils (6-1) over the Green Dragons (1-5).

Lauralton Hall 9, Brookfield 2: Alex Moleski had two hits, including a triple, two runs and two RBIs for the visiting Crusaders in this South-West Conference win at Brookfield.

Jessica Napolitano had three hits, three runs and two RBIs and Lindsey Spitz had two hits and two RBIs for Lauralton Hall (3-2).


TUESDAY'S LINESCORES

Each Monday, we'll highlight some of last week's top performances.

Jess Bainer, Branford: Had a double, triple and three RBIs to lead the Hornets to a 5-2 win over Lyman Hall on Monday.

Emily Fox, Amity: Went 3-for-3 with a run in a 2-1 victory over Shelton on Thursday.

Tori Mainiero, Hand: Had a double, two runs and an RBI to lead the Tigers to a 5-3 win over Guilford on Friday.

Mariel Schlaefer, Lauralton Hall: Hit a double, triple and two-run homer and ended up with five RBIs and three runs in a 14-1 win over Oxford on Wednesday.

Kayla Votto, Coginchaug: Went 2-for-4 with two runs in a 6-3 win over North Branford on Friday.