Here's how I voted for the Final Top 10 Poll. The poll will be released later today on-line and in Friday's print editions.



1. Masuk
2. Southington
3. Mercy
4. Foran
5. Oxford
6. Bristol Central
7. Berlin
8. Maloney
9. Rockville
10. Waterford
11. Torrington
12. East Haven
13. Hand
14. Seymour
15. Granby

Class LL

Southington 1, Mercy 0: Freshman Natalie Wadolowski singled in the second inning to drive in the game's only run for the Blue Knights.

Southington won its state-best 15th title, but first since 2004.

Class M

Waterford 6, Granby 3: Freshman Claire Hurley had two hits, two runs and two RBIs and freshman Sara Buscetto had a pair of hits, a run and an RBI for the Lancers.

Waterford won its fourth title, and third since 2009.

Class S

Oxford 1, Terryville 0: Katelyn Wentz doubled home pinch runner Makena Hillman in the bottom of the seventh inning with the winning run as the Wolverines won their first title.

Allyson Sweeney led off the inning with a double for Oxford. Winning pitcher Ashley Guillette allowed three hits and struck out 15.

Here's how I voted for the Register's Top 10 Softball Poll.

The poll will be released later today on our website http://www.nhregister.com/ and it will appear in Monday's print editions. 


1. Masuk
2. Rockville
3. Torrington
4. Southington
5. Bristol Central
6. Oxford
7. Mercy
8. East Haven
9. Seymour
10. Foran
11. Hand
12. Maloney
13. Amity
14. Cheshire
15. Granby

QUARTERFINALS
Tuesday, 4 p.m.
No. 8 North Haven at No. 1 Mercy
No. 7 Law at No. 2 East Haven
No. 6 Foran at No. 3 Hand
No. 5 Cheshire at No. 4 Amity
SEMIFINALS
Thursday at West Haven, 5 and 7 p.m.
FINAL
Saturday at West Haven, 6 p.m.

The SCC tournament field is set.

The following eight teams have qualified:

Mercy, East Haven, Hand, Jonathan Law, Foran, Cheshire, Amity and North Haven

 
The following seeds are set:

1. Mercy
2. East Haven
3. Hand
4.
5.
6.
7.
8. North Haven

Law, Foran, Cheshire and Amity are playing for seeds 4 through 7.

• QUARTERFINALS: May 21 at higher seed (8 at 1, 7 at 2, 6 at 3, 5 at 4)

• SEMIFINALS: May 23 at West Haven, 5 and 7 p.m.

• FINAL: May 25 at West Haven, 6 p.m.

Here's how I voted for the Register's Top 10 Softball Poll.

The poll will be released later today on our website http://www.nhregister.com/ and it will appear in Monday's print editions. 


1. Masuk
2. Rockville
3. Torrington
4. Southington
5. Bristol Central
6. Maloney
7. Oxford
8. Mercy
9. East Haven
10. Stonington
11. Seymour
12. Hand
13. Foran
14. East Lyme
15. Granby

Below are SCC tournament possibilities.

THE SET UP

• Eight teams qualify

The four divisional champions automatically qualify, plus four wild card teams based on divisional/crossover games.

THE SCHEDULE

• QUARTERFINALS: May 21 at higher seed

• SEMIFINALS: May 23 at West Haven, 5 and 7 p.m.

• FINAL: May 25 at West Haven, 6 p.m.

 

THE DIVISION LEADERS

 

• Hammonasset: Foran (6-1 in division, 11-3 crossover record)

• Housatonic: Amity (7-0, 11-3) WON DIVISION, qualified

• Oronoque: East Haven (6-0, 14-1) WON DIVISION, qualified

• Quinnipiac: Mercy (5-0, 12-2) Clinched at least tie in division

 

THEY'RE IN

East Haven

Amity

IN THE HUNT

Hand (5-1, 12-2): Hammonasset

Cheshire (10-4 crossover): Housatonic

West Haven (4-1, 10-5): Quinnipiac

Law (4-3, 10-5 crossover): Hammonasset

North Haven (9-5 crossover): Oronoque

STILL ALIVE

Sacred Heart Academy (8-7 crossover): Quinnipiac

 

GAMES LEFT

Foran (vs. Mercy, Law, Wilbur Cross, West Haven)

Amity (vs. North Haven, Sheehan, West Haven, Wilbur Cross)  

East Haven (vs. North Haven, Hand, Cheshire)

Mercy (vs. Foran, West Haven, Lyman Hall, Hillhouse)

Hand (vs. Guilford, Hillhouse, East Haven, Hamden)

Cheshire (vs. Shelton, Lyman Hall, Hamden, East Haven)

West Haven (vs. Mercy, Amity, Foran)

Law (vs. Foran, North Haven, Sacred Heart Academy)

North Haven (vs. Amity, East Haven, Law, Sheehan)

Sacred Heart Academy (vs. Hamden, Law, Sheehan)

 

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

Here's how I voted for the Register's Top 10 Softball Poll.

The poll will be released later today on our website http://www.nhregister.com/ and it will appear in Monday's print editions. 






1. Masuk
2. Maloney
3. Rockville
4. Torrington
5. East Haven
6. Southington
7. Hand
8. Waterford
9. Mercy
10. Stonington
11. Berlin
12. Bristol Central
13. Seymour
14. Granby
15. Oxford

The first four games of this season were a learning experience for Mercy coach Tony Calcagni and the Tigers.

Calcagni, a veteran coach in his first year at Mercy, took over a program that lost a slew of seniors to graduation.

The Tigers split those four games, losing twice by one run.

“The kids had a meeting about getting on the same page,” Calcagni said. “They talked about the fundamentals of the game. They talked about putting in a little extra, whether in practice or in a game, and getting more focused.”

Since, Mercy (9-2) has won seven in a row, including victories over Southern Connecticut Conference powers Amity, West Haven and North Haven.

“I thought we would be OK (entering the season),” Calcagni said. “But we lost so many seniors and we have a lot of untested kids. But we’ve exceeded what I thought and what I hoped we could be so far.”

After scoring just 10 runs during its first four games, Mercy is averaging close to nine during its current winning streak.

Senior catcher Tyler Keegan, the team’s No. 3 hitter, leads the team in runs batted in.

“She’s the leader of the young group of kids,” Calcagni said. “She works with the pitchers and she has a real positive attitude.”

Calcagni calls junior shortstop Astin Donovan, who has already orally committed to play at South Florida, the fastest player he has ever coached.

“She’s the table setter at the top,” Calcagni said of his leadoff batter.

Stephanie Mangiameli, a sophomore third baseman, and sister Tiffany, a freshman second baseman, have contributed in the infield, while sophomore Stephanie Dean has excelled in left field.

Sophomore center fielder Madison DeRita bats cleanup and has also been impressive in the field.

“She has all the tools to be a great outfielder,” Calcagni said. “She has a great jump on the ball, she has a great arm. I think she has three or four outfield assists.”

Junior Mary Adametz, who Calcagni calls a “power pitcher”, has done well in the circle.

“She’s a great kid who works hard,” Calcagni said. “We’ve tried to expand what she does as far as pitch selection and placement. She’s responded very well. There’s some areas where she has to grow in, but she’s a pretty strong kid and a pleasure to coach.”

Freshman Brianna Sawicki has also seen time in the circle.

“We think she’s going to be dynamite,” Calcagni added.

Here's how I voted for the Register's Top 10 Softball Poll.

The poll will be released later today on our website http://www.nhregister.com/ and it will appear in Tuesday's print editions. 



1. Rockville
2. Masuk
3. Maloney
4. Torrington
5. Oxford
6. East Haven
7. Southington
8. Berlin
9. Hand
10. Foran
11. Granby
12. Waterford
13. Mercy
14. Stonington
15. Seymour

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.

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

The Cheshire softball team has joined the American Cancer Society and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association’s “StrikeOut” Cancer initiative this season.

On April 6 (Saturday) Cheshire will host Mercy at 11 a.m. for theRoyal Blue Game. Team members will wear royal blue jerseys and blue ribbons to raise awareness for colon cancer, and help highlight the measures that can be taken to prevent the disease and catch it in earlier, more curable stages.

The Cheshire softball family will be handing out blue ribbon stickers to all who attend the game. In addition, they be selling baked good items throughout the game, giving all proceeds to the American Cancer Society. Donations are also very much appreciated.

Cheshire has several members of their extended softball family that are battling the disease. Cheshire will ask members of the families to throw out the first pitch.

The Middletown Press has reported that Mercy softball coach Jason Thody has stepped down after 10 seasons.

By PRESS STAFF

MIDDLETOWN — Mercy softball coach Jason Thody has resigned, the high school announced Wednesday.

Thody coached Mercy for 10 years and won a Class LL state championship in 2006.

Due to “personal and professional factors,” Thody said he no longer had adequate time to devote to softball.

“Watching the girls grow and succeed in softball and life has been a true pleasure that will stay with me forever,” Thody said in a letter to the Mercy administration. “I have made great friends along the way that I will always cherish.”

WEST HAVEN — Dani Kemp’s fourth home run of the season ignited the Foran offense and helped send the Lions into the championship game of the Southern Connecticut Conference softball tournament.

Kemp, a freshman, hit a two-out, two-run home run in the third inning, sparking a Foran onslaught in consecutive innings that was the difference in an 8-0 semifinal victory over defending champion Mercy, the fifth seed, Friday at Biondi Field.

The Lions (21-1) collected 10 hits and scored eight times in the third and fourth innings to advance to their first league title game. Foran will face No. 3 Amity in tonight’s championship at 6.

“We just come out here ready to play and hit for contact, nothing big,” Kemp said. “(Hitting the home run) feels awesome.”

Jenna DiLorenzo had an RBI single and Corina Zdrowski drove in a run on a sacrifice fly to lead third-seeded Amity to a 5-3 win over No. 7 East Haven in the semifinals of the Southern Connecticut Conference tournament Thursday at Biondi Field in West Haven.

Amity (18-4) had only five hits off East Haven (15-7) pitcher Talia Loda but the Easties made five errors, which led to four unearned runs.

Brianna Spadacenta hit two doubles and had an RBI and Jenna Gaudioso hit a two-run double for East Haven.

Amity will face either No. 1 Foran or No. 5 Mercy in Saturday's championship game.

No. 1 Foran 8, No. 8 North Haven 2
No. 7 East Haven 3, No. 2 Law 2 (9)
No. 3 Amity 5, No. 6 Guilford 0
THURSDAY
No. 5 Mercy at No. 4 Shelton

SEMIFINALS
THURSDAY
No. 3 Amity vs. No. 7 East Haven, 7 p.m. at West Haven
FRIDAY
No. 1 Foran vs. No. 5 Mercy/No.4 Shelton winner, 7 p.m. at West Haven

The SCC softball quarterfinals have been posted Tuesday.

Here is the schedule as of 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Quarterfinals – Wednesday

No.8  North Haven at No. 1 Foran – 3:45 p.m.

No. 7 East Haven at No. 2 Law – 3:45 p.m.

No. 6 Guilford at No. 3 Amity – 3:45 p.m.

No. 5 Mercy at No. 4  Shelton – TBA (depending on completion of Shelton at Mercy regular-season game on Wednesday)

Semifinals – Thursday, TBA

Championship Game – Saturday at West Haven, 6 p.m. 

The Southern Connecticut Conference tournament field is complete. Well, sort of.
The eight teams that have qualified for Tuesday’s quarterfinals have been determined. Now it’s just a matter of seeding.

Here are the seeds currently:

1. Foran
2. Law
3. Amity
4. Shelton
5. Mercy
6.
7.
8. North Haven

Seeds No. 6 and No. 7 are contingent on two games today, East Haven vs. Cheshire and Guilford vs. Wilbur Cross.

If East Haven and Guilford both win, East Haven is sixth and Guilford is seventh.
If East Haven loses and Guilford wins, the seeding is swapped. 

The quarterfinals will be played at the higher seed and begin at 3:45 p.m. Semifinals are set for 5 and 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Biondi Field and the championship game is Thursday at 7 p.m. at the same site.
SCC commissioner Al Carbone says the league will take it “day by day” concerning any weather issues.