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04/27/2015 12:00 AMGirls' Tennis
The Tigers had a strong week with three match triumphs over Hamden on April 21, Foran on April 23, and Sacred Heart Academy the following day, which were all by the score of 7-0 to move to 5-1 after four straight decisions.
Ana Grosso at No. 1 singles played all three-set matches and won each against competitive opponents. It was also the first three victories of the season for Hand's No. 2 singles player Ankita Roychoudhury. Other wins were earned by Lee Jiaen, Clara Wang, and Ellie Weinstein in singles. Doubles winners were Ryann Corniello, Alicia Imbergamo, Sheila Flaherty, Sabrina Colonese-DiBello, Olivia Hiller, and Grace Cummings.
Boys' Tennis
Hand took two 7-0 decisions last week over Lyman Hall on April 22 and Foran the next day to earn a mark of 4-1.
Head Coach Dawn Fagerquist is in the midst of her fifth spring at the helm for Hand. The Tigers follow up a 2014 that saw them win their second straight SCC DI crown and an outright Class L state title after sharing the state's top slot in 2013.
This year's lineup features sophomore Kyle Fay (4-1) at No. 1 singles while senior Andrew Goldfeder (3-2 personal mark) is at the No. 2 slot. The two worked as a doubles tandem last season and finished fourth at states. Rounding out the solo spots are freshman Justin Pace (4-1) as the No. 3 competitor and senior Shayan Roychoudary (2-0).
At doubles, Hand deploys a pair of juniors at the No. 1 position in Andrew Pace and Dan Weinreb (a perfect 5-0 thus far), plus seniors of James Cutler (team captain) and Collen Nelson for No. 2 doubles, along with freshman Rob Israel and Michael Vizziello. Fagerquist added that freshman Alex Bueno is "showing great promise with wins by teaming up with Israel."
"With a young team returning this year and trying to fill some big shoes from last year, it has been a different team," said Fagerquist. "We are learning to work together. We have the tools and we are ready for a great season."
Girls' Lacrosse
After a 17-2 win over Amity on April 21 and an 11-9 victory over previously unbeaten Guilford on April 23, Hand stayed undefeated at 7-0 thanks to an 18-1 rout of Sacred Heart Academy on April 25.
Versus SHA, Lauren Cole notched six goals and four assists. Elsewhere, two goals each came from Callie Jenkins, Emma Sullivan, and Glenna Kate Gies. Amanda Gentile, Cameron Ruberti, and Katherine Garnett added a tally each. The Tigers outshot the Pacers 23-3 while Emilee Wargo made two saves.
Baseball
On April 22, Hand lost a 6-1 final to Guilford before a 10-1 defeat to Career the following day. The Tigers then were swept in a doubleheader with Fairfield Prep in 6-2 and 14-3 decisions to sit with a record of 2-7 (1-1 in SCC Hammonasset Division).
Against Guilford, EJ Mastronardi had two hits and Bobby Lanza had a hit and an RBI for Hand. It was 2-1 in Guilford's favor for the seventh and then the Indians added four runs in the frame.
"[Guilford Head] Coach [Brian] Hayden did a great job with the group from Guilford," said Head Coach Travis LaPointe. "We had a shot to do some damage with runners on second and third and nobody out in the sixth, but we popped up twice and grounded out."
Mastronardi had a single and an RBI for Hand against Career.
"Career played a great game and we did not. They just outperformed us in every area," said LaPointe. "Their starting pitcher, Will Jackson, dominated us at the plate. He is a tough lefty that we couldn't figure out. He pitched a great game and we did not match him on the mound."
In the opener for the Fairfield Prep double dip, Danny Romanello hit a two-run homer.
"I thought we played an awesome game and was so proud of the effort. We took a major step and really competed with the best team in Connecticut," LaPointe said. We still have a ways to go to get better, but we are getting there."
Jack Kallinich notched a two-RBI single in the second half of the nightcap against the Jesuits. The Tigers were down 4-3 in the sixth inning before allowing 10 runs for that stanza.
"In many respects, I thought we outplayed Prep, but it was not enough. Our top three pitchers, Drew Harmon, Brian Anderson, and Romanello are all injured, and we are doing everything we can to compete with our opponents," said LaPointe. "I am so proud of our players despite our record. They are tough and I believe that we will get better and better. Our best baseball has yet to come, but it will arrive soon."