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12/22/2016 11:00 PMSound Sports Writer
The spring of 2016 featured another conference champion as the North Branford softball squad defended its Shoreline title to highlight a remarkable campaign. In other news, both Thunderbirds’ lacrosse squads played their way into the postseason dance.
Softball
After setting the program record for victories with 22 in 2015, Head Coach Nick DeLizio and the T-Birds’ softball squad bettered that mark this year by sporting a 24-2 overall record. North Branford’s biggest accomplishment came when the team won its second straight Shoreline Conference title with a 16-8 victory versus Coginchaug.
Several records fell and the award trunk was full as Sabrina LeMere was named the Shoreline Conference Player of the Year after setting the school record for career home runs (14) and hits (155). During the year, she batted .549 with 50 hits, 45 runs scored, 44 RBI, and three home runs. Lindsay Golia earned conference Pitcher of the Year honors by going 19-1 with an earned-run average of 1.31 and 202 strikeouts. Golia also broke the school’s strikeout record with 565 for her career. It was the second straight season that LeMere and Golia obtained their respective honors.
Baseball
North Branford finished the season with a 13-10 overall record as Chad Deming proved himself as one of the top pitchers in the conference. Deming tossed a five-hitter when North Branford defeated East Hampton 5-0 in the opening round of the Shoreline Conference Tournament. In the Class M State Tournament, North Branford lost to Sheehan, 4-3, in the opening round.
Offensively, North Branford was led by Matt Chamberlain, who wrapped up his career with a .438 average on 89 hits with four home runs and 56 RBI.
Boys’ Lacrosse
The Thunderbirds exceeded expectations their second varsity season this spring by finishing with a 13-6 overall record, including a 20-13 win over Montville in the Class S State Tournament.
Solid offense was the key to the team’s success as North Branford scored 14 goals per game. Attackmen Connor Odell, Brian McKee, and Adam Burkle combined for 242 points with 141 goals and 101 assists. For the season, North Branford outscored its opposition 263-186.
Girls’ Lacrosse
North Branford sneaked into the Class S State Tournament, where the team won a qualifying round game over Montville, 20-7. The Thunderbirds then took a 16-12 loss to No. 1 seed Old Lyme to finish the season at 9-9 overall.
Sydney Hogan led the team in scoring for the second straight season as she had 85 points on 45 goals, 40 assists. Four other T-Birds—Emmy Norton, Emilie Wilkinson, Jessie Kilburn, and Tara Lauro—finished with more than 20 goals each.
Boys’ Outdoor Track
North Branford competed hard throughout the spring season, qualifying a few athletes for the Class M Championship.
The T-Birds’ MVP for the season was Jason Alaska, who ran competed in the 100, as well as the 4x100 and 4x400 relays.
Girls’ Outdoor Track
North Branford saw some stellar performances this spring at the Shoreline Championship, where the team placed eighth.
Winnie Chan won the high jump with a leap of 4 feet-10 inches for the T-Birds, while Catie Moran finished fourth in the 100-meter hurdles at 16.64.
Golf
North Branford won two matches during the regular season and then finished seventh in the Shoreline Conference Championship with a total team score of 376.
The team’s top golfer was Paul Zumbo, who finished the round at Shorelines with a total of 81.
Girls’ Tennis
The T-Birds completed their season at 4-16 while playing each match on the road as North Branford’s tennis courts were under constructions.
Wins for the Thunderbirds came against Portland (4-3 and 4-3), East Hampton (7-0), and Haddam-Killingworth (4-3).
Boys’ Tennis
North Branford didn’t field a full team for the 2016 spring season and was thus unable to get a win in its eight official matches.
Antonio Pavic claimed three victories for the Thunderbirds during the year.