Printer Friendly Version - Valley Softball Starts Strong with Victory Versus Old Saybrook; Baseball Takes First Two Games

Sophomore pitcher Addy Bullis pitched a complete game with 12 strikeouts to lead the Valley Regional softball team to an 11-5 win against Old Saybrook in its first game of the season. Photo by Kelley Fryer/The Courier

The Valley Regional softball season began 2018 on the right foot by recording an 11-5 home win over Old Saybrook in its season opener on April 7.

The Warriors received a strong pitching performance from sophomore Addy Bullis, and their offense came through with some timely base hits in the victory. After falling behind 4-1 by the fourth inning, Valley put a five spot on the board in the bottom of the inning to take a 6-4 lead that it continued to build on.

With the Warriors off to a 1-0 start, Head Coach Ken Wilson feels happy to see his team on the field and playing some solid softball this spring. Wilson felt especially proud of Valley for battling back after falling into an early deficit against Old Saybrook.

“Good teams, when faced with challenges, tend to rise to the occasion. We were down 4-1, and we put together five runs in the fourth inning,” said Coach Wilson. “Then we did the same thing again in the sixth inning. In both of those innings, we had some timely hitting, we took advantage of some passed balls, and we were aggressive on the base paths.”

Valley’s comeback was set up by a quality performance from Bullis, who pitched the entire game, while ringing up 12 strikeouts and allowing just two earned runs. Once Bullis set the tone, her teammates were able to settle in and make some noise at the plate.

“We had a good game. We had an excellent performance from Addy Bullis. We got off to a slow start, but we rose to the challenge when we needed to and got a good result,” said Wilson. “We were very patient at the plate. We did the right things. The thing that impressed me the most was that they didn’t let the score get them down. Subs or starters they all helped each other out for the win.”

Senior catcher Rylee DaRe went 2-for-3 with a triple, a walk, and two runs scored to go with three RBI in the win. Senior center fielder Alex Figuenick also had a big day at the dish by going 3-for-3 with a triple, a double, a walk, an RBI, and a stolen base for the Warriors, who had 11 hits as a team.

The Warriors’ baseball team is 2-0 early on this year winning its first two games in decisive fashion.

On March 31, Valley played New London on the road for its opener and won by the final of 16-9. The Warriors mounted an early lead by scoring four runs in the top of the first inning and then added another eight runs in the second. The Whalers tried to climb back into the game by plating runs in the fourth, fifth, and seventh innings, but the Warriors’ lead proved insurmountable.

Sam Swap was the winning pitcher for Valley. Sophomore center fielder Cade Ensinger hit two solo home runs and also had a bases-clearing triple for five RBI on the day. Josh Ross was 3-for-4 with four RBI, and Garrhett Watrous had a single and a double.

On April 7, the Warriors headed to Moodus for another road game and defeated Hale-Ray 8-1 for their second victory. The Noises took an early lead with a run in the bottom of the first, but Valley tied it up in the top of the second. The Warriors went ahead in the fifth inning and then blew the game open by scoring six runs in the seventh.

Swap was on the mound again, and the senior picked up his second win by allowing just three hits and striking out 13. Battery mate Ross had another standout performance with the bat by going 2-for-3 with a double and three RBI. Senior Chase Morris had a triple with two RBI for the Warriors.

The Warriors traveled to North Branford for their season opener and dropped a 12-10 decision on April 5.

Valley struck first with a goal in the opening quarter, and the two teams went to halftime tied 5-5. However, in the third quarter, North Branford pulled ahead by outscoring the Warriors 4-2, and that proved the difference in the game.

Valley got into the swing of its season by playing a pair of games last week. On April 5, the Warriors were home to face North Branford and lost 20-10. Two days later, Valley hosted Tolland and lost a close match by the score of 12-11.

The Warriors faced Lyme-Old Lyme in their first match with new Head Coach Sally Riggio on April 5 and took a 4-3 defeat.

In singles play, junior Tori Adamczyk picked up a win 6-2, 6-4 at the No. 3 position for Valley, while fellow junior prevailed 6-4, 3-6, 6-0 at No. 4. In doubles play, Ellen Flynn and Caroline Barber earned a 6-2, 5-7, 6-0 win at the No. 1 position.

Valley took a pair of defeats in its first week with new Head Coach Casey O’Brien. On April 5, the Warriors dropped a 4-3 contest in Old Saybrook. Two days later, Valley hosted Old Lyme and lost a 6-1 decision.