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05/21/2017 12:00 AMGirls’ Outdoor Track
Caroline O’Neil added to her lengthy list of postseason titles by winning three events for the Hand girls’ outdoor track team at last week’s SCC East Sectional Championship. The Tigers finished fourth with 83 points at the sectional meet, which was held on May 16 at Amity.
O’Neil finished first for the 100-meter dash in a time of 12.05 seconds against runner-up Kiera Smith of Law (12.28). She then ran a 25.01 to take the 200 title by besting second-place finisher Nyimah Ambrose from Hillhouse (25.82). O’Neil was also first in the 400 (57.07) as she defeated runner-up Jada Boyd of Hillhouse (1:00.37). Hand’s 4x400 relay team of Megan Phillips, Abby Walton, Heather Whelahan, and Gabby Harmon prevailed by running a 4:10.06 to place ahead of Shelton (4:12.39).
Elsewhere for the Tigers, Hayley Dean finished fourth in the 100 (13.06); Harmon raced to third in the 400 (1:01.05) and was fifth in the 200 (27.10); Gabby Egidio finished third in the 800 (2:24.56) and Megan Phillips followed in fifth (2:26.30); Emily Baker placed sixth for the 1,000 (5:39.46); Erin Naclerio finished fourth in the pole vault (9-0); plus the 4x100 relay of Elinor Laffargue, Bridget Phillips, Sophie Cohen, and Dean took fourth (53.17).
Boys’ Outdoor Track
Hand finished in second place with 114 points at the SCC East Sectional Championship on May 16 at Amity High School.
Max Veth took first place in the 400 with a time of 49.49 seconds for Hand, defeating over Matt Bean of Shelton, who ran a 50.98. Matt Parker claimed the 300 intermediate hurdles title in 40.02 seconds, which bested runner-up Zach Deptula of Shelton (41.24). Mike Burchell took the discus crown behind a throw of 129 feet to defeat second-place finisher Andrew Zebarth of Cheshire (123-0). Devon McShane won the javelin (167-5), with teammate Isaiah McNeilly in second (143-0). Also, Hand’s 4x400 relay team of Ethan McMahon, Liam Akers, Parker, and Veth prevailed in 3:25.99 over Guilford (3:26.82).
Additionally for the Tigers, Mike Healy tied for second in the high jump (5-10) as Askia Sierra of Amity was first (6-2), plus Quincy Heinrich and Devon McShane tied for fourth (5-10); Burchell was runner-up in the shot put (49-4) to Ed Radzion of Shelton (50-4.5); Veth placed third for the 200 (22.34); Troy Lefler finished fourth for both the 110 hurdles (15.34) and long jump (20-7); Francis Guarascio was fourth in the javelin (140-0); and McMahon placed sixth in the 100 (11.32). Also, the Tigers’ 4x800 relay team of Jaime Calderon, John Lisi, Drew Carone, and Nick Porte came in fourth place (8:21.64).
Boys’ Tennis
Hand completed a perfect regular season at 17-0 following three recent victories and now begins the postseason.
The Tigers scored a 5-2 triumph over South Windsor on May 15. Hand then earned a season sweep of Amity with a 4-3 win on May 17. The Tigers closed the regular season with a 7-0 sweep of Foran on May 18.
In terms of players’ records entering the postseason, Kyle Fay is 11-3, Justin Pace is 17-0, Noah Gulla is 17-0, and Max Thompson is 8-4. For doubles, Robbie Israel and Alex Bueno are 14-3, Sam Thorpe and co-partners Nick Chieppo and Gianni LoMonaco are 14-3, and Darby Rogers and James Watkins are 17-0.
The Tigers next play in the quarterfinals of the SCC Tournament as the No. 1 seed and will host No. 8 Branford at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 23. With a victory, Hand would face the winner of Guilford and Xavier in the semis on Wednesday, May 24 at Yale University. The final also takes place at Yale and is on Thursday, May 25.
Girls’ Tennis
Hand finished the regular season an unblemished 15-0 following two more wins and now prepares for the SCC and State tournaments.
Hand defeated Lauralton Hall on May 15 by a 6-1 final. The Tigers then swept Cheshire 7-0 on May 17 to complete an unbeaten regular season, the first under Head Coach Kitty Palmer.
Wins for the week came Ankita Roychoudhury, Lee Jiaen, Ellie Weinstein, and Annie Barrett in singles. Doubles winners were Anna Lang and Sam Riordan, Renee Tracy and Grace Squitiero, along with Nicki Goldfeder and Nell Karas.
The top-seeded Tigers next play in the quarterfinals of the SCC Tournament at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 23 at home against No. 8 Law. If Hand wins, it face the winner of North Haven and Lauralton Hall in the semis on Wednesday, May 24 at Yale University. The final is also at Yale and will be held on Thursday, May 25.
Softball
The Tigers finished 15-5 on the regular season and went 8-0 in the SCC Quinnipiac Division to claim the division crown. Hand next begins play in the postseason.
Tigers were victorious in both games of their Pink Out doubleheader for cancer awareness against Hillhouse on May 15, with scores of 18-3 and 15-5. The Tigers then clinched the division crown with a 10-7 decision over East Haven on May 17. Then on May 19, Hand bested Guilford 7-3.
In the East Haven game, the Yellowjackets opened the contest with a three-run lead, but the Tigers struck back with four runs in the first. A leadoff bunt single by Hollis Wivell, RBI double by Sophie Schreck, single by Lily Geshwind, and two-RBI triple by Abby Geshwind was followed by a sacrifice fly RBI for Caroline Schreck. The Easties scored two runs in the fourth to take a 5-4 lead. The Tigers answered with a double by Kaitlyn Martin, who scored on a two-out single by pinch hitter Taylor Leckey to tie it. The Tigers plated five runs in the fifth for a 10-5 lead when the Martin sisters combined for three RBI and two runs between a double (Kaitlyn) and triple (Hannah). Lily Geshwind led off with a walk and Abby Geshwind reached on an infield error. Both were moved over by a Caroline Schreck sacrifice bunt. Lily Geshwind then beat the throw home and scored on a fielder’s choice by Christina Coric. Coric and courtesy runner Catie Patrick came home on Kaitlyn Martin’s hit to make it 7-5. Hannah Martin then hit in Kaitlyn Martin, and a two-out hit by Wivell brought home Hannah Martin. East Haven scored two runs in the sixth to make it 10-7, but the Tigers’ defense held on for the big win. Abby Geshwind recorded five strikeouts on the mound. It was also a memorable day because senior tri-captains Kaitlyn Martin, Lily Geshwind, and Wivell were honored. The girls have been playing together for 10 years since getting their softball start in Madison Little League. Kaitlyn Martin has been accepted into the physical therapy program at Seton Hall. Lily Geshwind will attend UMass-Amherst as a business major. Wivell is headed to UConn to study premedical sciences and continue her softball career.
Against Guilford, Lily Geshwind hit a two-out, solo home run over the center field fence to put the Tigers up 1-0 in the first inning. In the second, Hannah Martin (2-for-4, RBI) and Gina Ciotti (1-for-3) each scored on the first of two doubles by Sophie Schreck (2-for-4, 2 RBI). The Tigers’ offense added three more runs in the third. Patrick, Caroline Schreck (3-for-4, RBI), and Hannah Martin each scored. One more run in the sixth from Sophie Schreck on her sister Caroline’s double brought the Tigers’ total to seven. Timely offense was also contributed by Wivell (2 hits with a stolen base) and Leckey (RBI walk). Abby Geshwind picked up the win, pitching a three-hitter with six strikeouts.
The Tigers earned the No. 5 seed in the SCC Tournament and will travel to No. 4 Amity for a quarterfinal on Wednesday, May 24. The winner faces either No. 3 Guilford or No. 6 East Haven in a semifinal on Thursday, May 25 at West Haven. The final is also at West Haven at noon on Saturday, May 27.
Baseball
Hand defeated West Haven and East Haven to finish the regular season at 13-7 and next prepares for the SCC Tournament.
The Tigers beat West Haven 13-3 on May 17. C.J. Licari had three hits and four RBI, Matt Sampson had three hits and an RBI, Mike Elias had two hits and three runs scored, EJ Mastronardi scored four runs, and Kyle Schaefer improved to 6-1 on the year. On Senior Day for Hand, all 10 of the Tigers’ seniors had a significant contribution during the victory. After falling behind 1-0, Hand tied the game after a walk by Mastronardi, a single by Licari, and a groundout by Cam Fitzgerald. Hand broke the game open by scoring four runs in the second, another one in the third, two in the fourth, and six in the fifth. Licari and Sampson, two of Hand’s graduating seniors, both had huge games with three hits apiece that all came in big spots. Kyle Kuhn delivered an RBI double. Mastronardi scored four runs, Robert Bordiere had a two-RBI double, while Elias had two hits and an RBI. Ryan McAneany and Aaron Rubin combined to pitch three effective innings to close out the game. Aaron D’Annolfo turned a double play in the seventh, plus James Kim legged out an infield hit.
Hand defeated East Haven 10-6 on May 18. James DeGrasse had a double, a triple, and four RBI; Fitzgerald notched a double and three RBI, and Spencer Oliver pitched five innings and had 10 strikeouts. DeGrasse gave Hand a 5-3 advantage in the third when his double scored Fitzgerald and Bordiere. Tom Hobin later delivered DeGrasse with a sacrifice fly for a 6-3 lead. The Tigers sent eight batters to the plate in the fourth, scoring four times to take a 10-3 lead. Will Reiner opened the inning with a double, Julian Barerji walked, and both scored on a double by Fitzgerald. DeGrasse plated Fitzgerald with a sacrifice fly, and Ian Butler doubled to score Elias, who had walked. Oliver worked two scoreless inning before East Haven got back in the game with three runs in the fifth. Jake Crawford pitched the last two innings for Hand and shut the door.
The 6th-seeded Tigers travel to No. 3 Branford in a SCC Tournament quarterfinal at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, May 23. The winner advances to the semifinals at West Haven on Wednesday, May 24 against either No. 2 Fairfield Prep or No. 7 Guilford. The final will also be at West Haven on Thursday, May 25.
Boys’ Lacrosse
Hand split the final two games of the regular season to enter the playoffs with a mark of 10-6 before facing Xavier in the SCC Tournament.
The Tigers started their week with a 16-2 victory over Norwich Free Academy on May 15.
Hand closed the regular season with an 8-7 overtime loss to Fairfield Prep on May 17. Hand’s goals were scored by Liam Gottlick (3), Nate Palumbo, Tom Swank, Teg Cosgriff, and Zach Santoemma. Swank, Cosgriff, and Santoemma had assists. Griffin Fitzmaurice made 14 saves.
In the first round of the SCC Tournament on May 20, 5th-seeded Hand traveled to No. 4 Xavier and took a 9-5 loss.
Hand (10-7) now focuses on the Class M State Tournament, which begins with first round action on Wednesday, May 31.
Girls’ Lacrosse
The Tigers lost two contests to close the regular season at 12-4, and they now await the postseason.
Hand took a 13-12 loss to Branford on May 16. The Tigers closed the regular season with a 7-5 loss against Cheshire on May 18.
The 2nd-seeded Tigers earned a first round bye in the SCC Tournament as the No. 2 seed and play No. 3 Lauralton Hall in the semifinals on Tuesday, May 23 at home. The winner of that advances to the final on Thursday, May 25 at West Haven at 5:30 p.m. against either No. 1 Cheshire or No. 4 Branford.
Boys’ Golf
The Tigers competed in three matches last week and now own a mark of 3-10.
Hand began its week with a 172-184 loss to Cheshire on May 15. Luke Lanza and Aidan Stuart each shot a 45 for the Tigers.
The Tigers took a 160-169 defeat to Fairfield Prep on May 17. Carter Chapman and Michael McKeon both shot a score of 40.
Hand then lost 164-169 to Branford on May 18. Chapman shot a 39 for Hand.
Girls’ Golf
Hand went 2-1-1 last week and is now 6-6-1 overall.
The Tigers lost a 199-211 final against Mercy to begin the week on May 15. They rebounded with a 205-219 decision over Suffield the next day.
Hand then defeated Morgan 188-238 on May 17 as Gabby Martin medaled with a 39.
After that, the Tigers tied Sacred Heart Academy 185-185. Martin medaled again with a 38, while Emma Boey (47), Angie Balzano (47), Erickson Richard (53), and Josie Anderson (56) rounded out the scoring column for Hand.
Boys’ Volleyball
Hand is now 3-14 after losing three contests last week.
Hand lost a 3-2 match to Masuk on May 15. The Tigers then dropped a 3-0 final to Barlow on May 17 and lost 3-0 to Xavier on May 19.