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05/01/2017 12:00 AMGirls’ Lacrosse
The North Branford girls’ lacrosse team won twice last week to clinch its spot in the Class S State Tournament. Through 10 games, the T-Birds sport an 8-2 record in the 2017 spring season.
On April 25, North Branford was defeated by Old Saybrook, 19-14. Tara Lauro led the T-Birds with four goals, while Jessie Kilburn and Emmy Norton both found the back of the cage twice.
The T-Birds rebounded with a 16-3 victory over Valley Regional on April 27. Sydney Hogan scored six goals to go with three assists to help North Branford solidify its states bid. Adriana Ingarra scored three goals, plus Emilie Wilkinson and Stephanie Seymour both had a pair of goals. Also adding goals were Avonlea Lebeau, Kilburn, and Lauro. Elissa Nuzzo and Carly Sorrentino combined to make seven saves in net.
North Branford finished off the week with a 19-6 win over Rocky Hill. It was a balanced effort as 10 different players scored at least one goal for the T-Birds. Hogan and Lauro led the charge with four goals and three assists apiece. Ali Barrett, Ingarra, and Kilburn each scored two goals, while Wilkinson, Lebeau, Jasmine Coleman, Cayleen Defaranos, and Norton all chipped in with a goal. Nuzzo and Sorrentino split time in the cage again, combining to make nine saves in the victory.
Boys’ Lacrosse
North Branford split its two games last week to move to 4-6 this season.
On April 27, Valley Regional edged North Branford 11-10 in a come-from-behind effort after the T-Birds held a 9-8 advantage heading into the final quarter. Valley won the final frame 3-1 to claim the victory. Peter Taylor scored a team-high four goals and added an assist for North Branford. Connor Odell scored three goals, Dillon Blake scored two, and Sean McKee added a goal. Nico Sommo won 64 percent of his face-offs, and Xavier Cognata made 16 saves in goal.
On April 29, North Branford came back to get a 10-8 victory over Old Saybrook. McKee and Blake scored three goals each, Sommo scored twice, and Odell and Aiden Ferrucci both found the back of the net once. Sommo was impressive on the draws by winning 86 percent of the 21 that he took. Cognata made 14 saves to earn the victory in the net.
Softball
The Thunderbirds won one game and lost another last week and are now one win away from clinching a playoff berth as their record sits at 7-2.
On April 24, North Branford topped Cromwell 15-1. Danielle Ramada and Katy Pederson had two hits and three RBI apiece, while as Rachel Vitarisi, Olivia Hemstock, and Sydney Senerchia each finished with one hit and two RBI. Angelina Ramada, Sam DeAngelo, and Ashley Anderson also had an RBI in the win. Julia Haeckel took the hill and allowed one run on one hit, while striking out 13 batters to earn the victory.
On April 27, Hale-Ray defeated North Branford 4-2 despite mustering just three hits. The T-Birds had seven hits as Haeckel and Brianna Raccio both finished with a pair. Haeckel and Angelina Ramada had an RBI each. Haeckel pitched a complete game in which she allowed just one earned run.
Baseball
North Branford gained a split of two recent contests to stand at 4-7 this year.
On April 24, The Thunderbirds defeated Haddam-Killingworth 9-3 behind a strong start by Jeff Jablonski. Derek Candelora had three doubles with four RBI, plus Gio Tirollo had three hits for North Branford. Jablonski helped himself out with a pair of RBI at the plate.
On April 27, East Hampton defeated the T-Birds 4-3. Mike Hoyt pitched and kept North Branford in the game until the end.
The very next day, North Branford beat Old Saybrook 4-1 as Colin Baxter pitched a complete game and added two hits at the plate. All of the game’s scoring took place in the first two innings as North Branford scored a pair in each of them. Tirollo had two RBI in the win.
To close out the week, Valley defeated North Branford 4-1 on April 29. Jake Baker pitched six innings in the loss.
Golf
North Branford lost both of its matches last week to drop to 0-5 so far this season.
On April 24, Haddam-Killingworth defeated the Thunderbirds 176-208 at Black Birch Golf Club. Golfers for North Branford included John Lovelace with a 47, Jake Neubig with a score of 50, Drew Sommo with a total 55, and Christian DeFrancesco with a 56.
On April 26, North Branford lost to Old Lyme 155-197 on its home course of Indian Springs Golf Club. The T-Birds’ collective round marked their best score of the season. Lovelace shot a 47, Neubig had a 49, DeFrancesco scored a 49, and Sommo shot a 52.
Girls’ Tennis
The Thunderbirds took three defeats last week and are now 2-7. North Branford took a 6-1 loss at Old Lyme on April 24 and later dropped 4-3 decisions versus Valley Regional and Haddam-Killingworth.
Boys’ Tennis
North Branford lost matches against Old Lyme, Valley Regional, and Haddam-Killingworth last week. The T-Birds are now 0-6 on the season.