This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
05/21/2017 12:00 AMThe Valley Regional softball team was victorious in two of its three matchups last week to stand at 12-7 with one game remaining in the regular season. The Warriors, who qualified for the Class M State Tournament for the first time in several years a few weeks ago, took a 3-1 loss at Coginchaug, won a 12-4 home decision over Morgan, and posted 7-2 victory at non-conference opponent Kennedy in last week’s action. Although the Shoreline Conference Tournament bracket isn’t 100-percent settled, the Warriors are slated to be the No. 6 seed and face No. 3 seed Haddam-Killingworth in a quarterfinal contest on Thursday, May 25.
Head Coach Ken Wilson feels pleased with the strides that his team has made this season, but he’s also telling the Warriors that they can’t let up as the postseason approaches.
“The bottom line is that this is the time of year is that every game counts, and everything that you do makes a difference, whether it’s the last regular season game or the first [Shoreline Conference tournament] game or the first [Class M State Tournament] game,” Coach Wilson said.
The Warriors seem to be taking Coach Wilson’s advice to heart, even during a recent defeat. Wilson was pleased with Valley’s effort in its loss at Coginchaug on May 15; the game just briefly got away from Valley in the third inning as the Blue Devils plated three runs by getting a few hits and capitalizing on a couple of Warriors’ miscues. Valley cut the deficit to 3-1 with an RBI base hit from sophomore Abby Cunningham, but couldn’t get any closer.
The Warriors had edged Coginchaug 2-1 at home just a few days earlier, and so Coach Wilson knew the two clubs were evenly matched.
“Wasn’t surprised that we split with them. It happens when you have two good teams playing each other,” he said. “It came down to a few key hits by Coginchaug. We gave an effort, they gave an effort, and, on that particular night, they bested us.”
After battling Coginchaug, the Warriors went back home to face Morgan for their Senior Night contest the following day. Valley used an early offensive explosion to beat the Huskies by a 12-4 score. The Warriors had eight hits and drew five walks to hold a 9-0 advantage through two innings. Freshman pitcher Addy Bullis cruised behind the run support as the Huskies never threatened to close the gap.
Coach Wilson felt this victory was a testament to his team’s tenacity. Wilson was proud that the Warriors promptly bounced back from the Coginchaug loss by making a statement with the bats.
“The team came to the game with a lot of energy and positivity, and they were determined not to lose two in a row,” said Wilson.
Leading the offensive attack for the Warriors was junior catcher Rylee Da Re, who went 4-for-5 with a RBI and three runs scored. Junior center fielder Alexandra Figuenick went 2-for-3 with a RBI, two runs, and two walks. Bullis helped her cause on the mound by going 1-for-2 with two walks, two runs, and an RBI.
“We played well. That’s a positive thing,” said Wilson. “It was our hitting that game. We had 11 hits. We took advantage of some timely walks and some passed balls that helped us move runners up and score them.”
Two days later, the Warriors made the long haul to Waterbury to face Kennedy and came away with a 7-2 triumph. The Warriors got started with a run in the second inning and added two more in the fourth. Then in the top of the seventh, Figuenick cranked a solo home run that sparked another offensive outburst. Valley strung together a bunch of hits and scored four runs in the inning to give itself some breathing room.
Bullis stymied the Eagles by pitching a one-hitter. Figuenick went 2-for-4 with the home run, three runs, and an RBI. Cunningham continued her strong season by going 3-for-4 with two runs scored, while senior captain Julia Jenkins was 3-for-4 with four RBI and a run.
Although he would have loved to see his team win all three games, Coach Wilson felt satisfied with the Warriors’ final results on the week.
“Overall, going 2-1 on the week was nice. Obviously, it helps us going into the State Tournament,” said Wilson. “This is the first time in a few years that we’ve made it. If the next one goes our way, we’ll have one of the best records we’ve had in years.”
As the regular season draws to a close for Valley, Coach Wilson is looking ahead at the postseason tournaments. While he already considers this year a successful one, Wilson believes the Warriors can do more than just qualify for postseason play.
“Nobody likes to say we just got in. You want to get in and make a little noise,” said Wilson. “It’s a good season for the team. The players have proven they can play with anybody when they put their minds to it and, now more than ever, they need to do that. It’s playoff time and you’ve got to step up your game.”
• The Warriors’ wins this season have come against Old Saybrook (19-4), Career (10-9 and 12-1), Old Lyme (14-4), Portland (15-0), Cromwell (9-8 and 9-4), Haddam-Killingworth (9-3), Coginchaug (2-1), Somers (5-1), Morgan (12-4), and Kennedy (7-2).
• This is Head Coach Ken Wilson’s sixth year at the helm of the Valley Regional softball team.
• Helping Coach Wilson in the dugout this season is assistant coach Karen Paulson.