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05/08/2016 12:00 AMThrough its first 15 games this season, the North Branford softball team’s record stands at a perfect 15-0 following three more victories. Head Coach Nick DeLizio wasn’t expecting the T-Birds to be dominating the opposition like they are, but he sure isn’t complaining.
“I did not expect to be 14-0. I expected every game that our girls would play hard since that’s our goal. The whole team gives 100 percent and they just leave it on the field and it seems to be working, which is good,” said DeLizio, whose team improved to 15-0 with a 9-1 home win over Haddam-Killingworth on May 9. “Things are clicking. The offense is clicking, they’re being smart, and learning, as well as understanding the game more. They’re learning the mental aspect, understanding why we do certain drills, and how they work. They understand that, which is a huge accomplishment, I feel.”
On May 2, North Branford defeated perennial Shoreline Conference power Morgan for the second time this season. The Thunderbirds topped the Huskies 11-4 as Lindsay Golia once again outperformed Emily Popp on the mound.
“There is a rivalry there and it’s good to have a little competition. Emily is a former conference Pitcher of the Year, but when you face her twice in a season for the last four years, the girls, especially the older ones, know what she has to offer and know what to do at the plate,” DeLizio said. “They know her changeup and know that she is going to hit her spots. They need to jump on her mistake pitches and that’s what we did. We hit her hard too, which, is always a bonus.”
North Branford got 16 hits off of Popp, including a stretch of six straight in the fifth inning to break the game open.
“Going into Morgan, it was tough. It was a night game at their place, so we knew they’re going to play us tough because they’re coached well. I thought it was important to get on them early,” DeLizio said. “We were a little anxious going into game, but we started a rally and the bats came alive. Julia Haeckel started off the fifth inning with a single and that’s when the bats really started to liven up. Hitting is contagious. Sabrina had a bases loaded, three-foot single and Emily Muzyka hit an absolute bomb to left field. It was gone on any fence in the state, but since Morgan doesn’t have one, it was a triple. That hit provided a huge momentum and, when the momentum changed, we didn’t look back.”
North Branford ultimately scored two runs in the second inning, five in the fifth, and two in both the sixth and seventh. LeMere, Olivia Hemstock, and Meghan Golia all recorded three hits, while Muzyka drove home four runs. Meghan Golia drove in three and LeMere had two RBI, plus LeMere, Haeckel, Hemstock, and Sydney Senerchia all scored twice. Lindsay Golia allowed four runs on five hits in a complete game effort with eight strikeouts on the mound.
“She threw her changeup a lot, which was nice to see. She’s getting more confident with her change and it’s a big boost for her and the team,” DeLizio said. “It’s an extra pitch she’s been working on and succeeding with. She’s using it in big situations and it’s a bonus because it will make her a better pitcher.”
Then on May 4, North Branford traveled to Cromwell and came away with a 9-1 victory. Muzyka, Meghan Golia, and Lindsay Golia all had two hits and two RBI for the T-Birds. Haeckel got the start on the hill and earned the win by allowing a run on two hits and three walks, while striking out 10 batters.
“I wanted to give Lindsay a breather. Julia is an excellent pitcher and will be used next year, so I need to have her on the mound. Julia has been a varsity starter [last year at Sacred Heart Academy] and I have to get her games in,” DeLizio said. “Some teams ride with one pitcher because that don’t have anybody else, but we have two other pitchers. It’s good saving Lindsay’s arm for the postseason. Putting less innings on her arm now will allow her to throw with more force and come on stronger when we need her the most.”
With the regular season winding down, Coach DeLizio and the Thunderbirds don’t want to look too far ahead, but they are in a prime position for the top seed in both the Shoreline Conference Tournament and the Class M State Tournament.
“The road is going to be challenging. Being the No. 1 seed, it’s important because they’re gunning for us. They want to beat North Branford because we’ll have the target on our backs,” DeLizio said. “The girls know that and it drives them to push themselves harder and show they’re here to stay. We want to show this is not a fluke. They’re working hard, go into big games with the attitude that they can handle any situation. If they continue it, they will help us bring the program to another level.”
From the Sidelines
Remaining regular season contests for North Branford include home games with Sheehan, Old Lyme, and Coginchaug, as well as road games against Valley Regional and East Haven.
Seymour (14-0) and Rocky Hill (10-0) are the only other undefeated teams in Class M.
Sabrina LeMere is the team’s top hitter with a .580 batting average on 29 hits, including two home rums, plus 25 runs scored and 23 RBI.
Lindsay Golia is 11-0 in 11 starts with a 1.80 ERA and 113 strikeouts in 70 innings pitched.