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05/22/2016 12:00 AMSoftball
The Thunderbirds ended the regular season at 19-1 overall and undefeated in Shoreline Conference action to secure the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament. North Branford ended its regular season by completing the season sweep of SCC power East Haven, along with posting victories over Old Lyme and Coginchaug.
On May 17, North Branford topped East Haven 6-5 thanks to a pair of runs in the top of the seventh inning. Sabrina LeMere led off with a double and went to third on a wild pitch. Emily Muzyka walked and went to second on a defensive indifference. LeMere then scored on a groundout and Muzyka came around to score on a throwing error on the same play. Olivia Hemstock had three hits for North Branford, which took advantage of five East Haven errors. Lindsay Golia battled through her complete game victory, allowing 10 hits and striking out six.
On May 20, North Branford was all over Old Lyme to the tune of an 18-0 blowout. Lindsay Golia threw a one-hitter, striking out 14 batters in her five-inning complete game. LeMere collected two hits and four RBI, while Angelina Ramada, Haley Basil, and Meghan Golia all drove home two runs. Seven other T-Birds recorded an RBI in the win.
North Branford closed the regular season with a 4-1 victory over Coginchaug on May 21. Lindsay Golia struck out nine batters and gave up a run on six hits. Lindsay Golia, LeMere, and Muzyka all had a pair of hits, plus Sydney Senerchia and Hemstock both finished with an RBI.
Baseball
North Branford finished its regular season at 12-8, picking up two more Shoreline Conference victories in the final week of the regular season. North Branford won against Haddam-Killingworth on May 16 and defeated Morgan on May 21, sandwiching the two victories around non-league losses to Lyman Hall and North Haven.
On May 16, North Branford topped H-K 6-1 as Chad Demming tossed a complete game to earn his fourth win. Matt Chamberlain and Chris Raynor both tripled and Raynor finished with three RBI.
On May 18, Lyman Hall bested North Branford 5-2. Derek Candelora finished with an RBI.
On May 19, North Haven topped North Branford 5-0 as the T-Birds scattered six hits.
In its final game, North Branford defeated Morgan 6-5 in nine innings.
Boys’ Outdoor Track
North Branford took on Coginchaug and East Hampton on May 10 and dropped decisions to both schools. Michael Madoule had the best performance for North Branford by winning the 400 with a time of 55.1. Other solid performances included the 4x400 relay of Austin Gibilisco, Madoule, Michael Odell, and Jason Alaska (3:47.27); Alaska in the 100 (11.5); Sydney Franklin in the triple jump (35-2), high jump (5-4) and long jump (17-0); Richard Hernandez in the 3,200 (11:27.20); Frank Laudano in the pole vault (11-0) and 100 (11.7); Michael Rabuffo in the high jump (5-6); Jacob Marshall in the 100 (11.7); Jared Jamieson in the 800 (2:18.80); Odell in the 400 (56.9); Gibilisco in the 400 (57.5); and Parker Nadeau in the 3,200 (11:57.1).
On May 14, the T-Birds traveled to Old Saybrook to compete at the Runnin’ Rams Invitational. The 4x400 relay of Madoule, Rabuffo, Alaska, and Odell qualified for states with a personal-best time of 3:44.29. Individual performances included Marshall in the 200 (24.22) and 100 (12.11); Alaska in the 100 (11.91); Rabuffo in the high jump (5-4); Madoule in the 400 (54.97); Gibilisco in the 800 (2:16.63); Jamieson in the 3,200 (11:39.21); and Nadeau in the 3,200 (11:39.40).
On May 17, Old Saybrook and Haddam-Killingworth earned victories over North Branford at H-K. Old Saybrook topped North Branford 114-32 and H-K defeated the T-Birds 122-20. Top performers included the 4x100 relay of Alaska, Odell, Laudano, and Marshall (46.3). along with Laudano in the pole vault (10-0); Alaska in the 100 (11.5); Rabuffo in the 400 (54.3) and high jump (5-8); Marshall in the 200 (24.2); Alaska in the 100 (11.5); Madoule in the 400 (56.3); Nadeau in the 3,200 (11:24.2) and 1,600 (5:22.8); Hernandez in the 3,200 (11:26.0); and Gibilisco in the 800 (2:15.9).
Boys’ Lacrosse
North Branford ended the regular season with a 12-4 record in its second varsity campaign. Last week, North Branford claimed victories versus Cromwell and Sheehan and lost to Old Lyme.
Against Cromwell on May 17, North Branford won 18-10. Adam Burkle recorded a nine points on two goals with seven assists and Brian McKee scored six goals. Connor Odell scored three goals, Nik Allain scored two, plus Alex Grimm, Mike Pantera, Ryan Gries, Nico Sommo, and Tanner Opie all found the back of the cage once. Sommo was 13-of-19 on faceoffs and Noah Taylor made 11 saves in net.
On May 19, Old Lyme defeated North Branford 16-9. Odell and McKee both scored three goals, Pantera scored twice, and Burlke added one. Burkle also had five assists and Taylor made eight saves.
North Branford capped the regular season with a 12-4 victory over Sheehan on May 20. McKee scored four times, while Odell, Pantera, and Burkle all scored twice. Allain and Jack Myers also added a goal each. Taylor made five saves to earn the win.
Girls’ Lacrosse
The Thunderbirds lost their final two games of the regular season to go 8-8.
On May 17, North Branford lost to Sheehan 11-9. Kirsten Madoule scored three goals and Emmy Norton and Sydney Hogan both netted two. Emilie Wilkinson and Tara Lauro each scored once. Katie Sobask made four saves.
On May 20, Old Lyme defeated North Branford 18-4. Wilkinson, Hogan, Jessie Kilburn, and Norton all scored once with Hogan assisting on two. Sobask made four saves in net.
Golf
North Branford was defeated by Old Saybrook, Coginchaug, and Morgan last week, dropping to 1-9. On May 16, Old Saybrook topped North Branford 177-203. Coginchaug finished ahead of the T-Birds, 183-213, on May 17. On May 18, Morgan won by a 169-185 score.
Against Coginchaug, Jimmy Augur shot a 52, Kyle Ricci and Jake Neubig shot 53, and John Lovelace finished with a 55.
Girls’ Tennis
The Thunderbirds won one of their final four matches last week, ending the regular season with a 4-16 record. Coginchaug and East Hampton defeated North Branford 5-2 on May 16 and May 18, respectively, before the T-Birds won their final match on May 19 against H-K, 4-3. North Branford then took 6-1 loss at Old Saybrook on May 20.
Boys’ Tennis
North Branford finished the season at 0-9 after losses to East Hampton, Haddam-Killingworth, and Old Saybrook last week. The T-Birds lost 6-1 to both East Hampton and Haddam-Killlingworh and were defeated 7-0 by Old Saybrook.