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05/14/2017 12:00 AMThe Westbrook softball team has hit the ball well this year, and that trend continued last week as the Knights scored 30 runs between their three games. Westbrook put together its best offensive showing in a 14-5 home win over Old Lyme on May 8, after which the Knights dropped narrow decisions against Old Saybrook (8-7) and East Hampton (11-9).
Although she wanted to see her team come away with more than one win, Head Coach Caitlin Eichler was still proud of the Knights’ performance at the plate.
“Honestly, I’ve never had a team hit so well consistently,” said Eichler, whose club is 6-12 and needs to win its last two games to make states. “I think that speaks volumes to the girls’ dedication to working hard and remaining focused on getting the job done. It’s been fun to watch.”
Pitcher Alexa Mulvihill and shortstop Biance Ferrucci both went 4-for-4 with a home run and a triple in Westbrook’s victory versus Old Lyme. Mulvihill had six RBI with three runs scored, while fellow senior captain Ferrucci had three RBI with four runs scored.
Westbrook quickly got to work in the first inning, when Mulvihill hit deep fly to center field to drive in Ferrucci and sophomore Carolyn Bauman. The Knights led 3-0 after one.
Old Lyme scored four runs in the second due to a few Knights’ miscues, but Westbrook responded by plating three in the bottom half of the frame. Freshman Olivia Hartzell and Ferrucci singled to get it going, after which Mulvihill cranked a three-run home run to put the Knights up 6-4.
A converted shortstop, Mulvihill has stepped up time and time again after taking over on the pitcher’s mound this spring. On top of that, Mulvihill sports a .492 average, with three home runs, 17 runs scored, 29 RBI, and 14 stolen bases.
“She’s come up huge for our team. She throws consistent strikes, and she has a fantastic changeup,” Coach Eichler said. “Not only has she helped by being consistent as a pitcher, but she also helps immensely in the field. She gets to so many bunts, and she’s grabbed some wicked line drives up the middle.”
Mulvihill and the Knights refused to let up after grabbing their two-run advantage. In the fourth, Bauman singled and scored on a triple by Ferrucci, who later raced across home plate on Mulvihill’s three-bagger to make it 8-4. After Mulvihill stole home, senior captain Kylie Magee singled for Westbrook. Freshman Jaclyn Grace pinch ran for Magee and was driven in by senior Isabella Raffone to make the score 10-4.
Ferrucci later hit a two-run homer in the fifth and the Knights added two more in the sixth on their way to the 14-5 victory.
Much like she has all year, Ferrucci was unstoppable at the dish for Westbrook in Old Lyme game. On the season, Ferrucci is hitting .639 with eight home runs, 31 RBI, and 36 runs scored. Coach Eichler knows that Ferrucci is always going to hit the ball and hit it hard when she takes her turn at the plate.
“She is on fire right now. She’s hitting home runs that aren’t even close,” Eichler said. “She is seeing the ball and hitting the ball. At one point this season, she went 9-for-9 at over the course of three games.”
Two days after defeating Old Lyme, the Knights took an 8-7 home loss to Old Saybrook. Westbrook trailed by four, cut it to one thanks to Ferrucci’s three-run homer in the sixth, but couldn’t complete the comeback despite threatening in the seventh. Ferrucci was 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, six RBI, two runs scored, and a stolen base; Mulvihill went 1-for-2 with a walk and two stolen bases, plus sophomore Jamie Merola was 1-for-2 with two walks and three runs scored.
Then on May 12, Westbrook lost an 11-9 contest at East Hampton. Magee went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and a triple, Ferrucci was 2-for-4 with two home runs, two RBI, and two runs scored; and freshman Alivia Ciarcia went 2-for-4 with a double, five RBI, and a run.
Magee has played strong defensively all season for the Knights, but Coach Eichler said that she’s been hitting better as the campaign enters its final stretch.
“I’ve been so proud of the improvement she’s made over her four years playing for us. She continued to work hard and has never given up,” said Eichler. “This year, her fielding has really helped us, and her bat is coming alive at the perfect time of the season.”
Bella Raffone is another one of Westbrook’s integral seniors. Raffone has been hampered by injuries throughout her high school career, but she’s been a key contributor this season, and Eichler likes the versatility that she brings to the lineup.
“We use her at designated hitter and a pinch runner. She is quick like lightning,” Eichler said. “She’s never really hit in one spot for us, which shows her ability to stay focused and produce anywhere in the lineup.”
Senior Emily Hotkowski has been unable to play this year, although she’s still in the dugout at Westbrook’s games, and Coach Eichler appreciates her commitment.
“This year, due to an injury, she has been coming to games and helping to keep the scorebook for us,” Eichler said. “It’s a testament to her dedication to the team.”
Westbrook has to win its final two contests to make the State Tournament this spring. The Knights are home for Windsor Locks at 4:15 p.m. on Monday, May 15, and then they’ll host for O’Brien Tech at 4 p.m. on Friday, May 19. Coach Eichler feels optimistic that her squad can extend its season beyond these two games.
“I’m confident in the girls,” she said. “They want to make states. They want to win. They will go out there and play their very best. They have the determination to get to the next level. Our tournament games start [against Windsor Locks], and we have to play like we’re already. If we lose, the season’s over.”