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04/14/2018 12:00 AMLast year, the Guilford softball team made program history by advancing to its first SCC Tournament final, although the Indians later saw their season come to an abrupt end in the first round of states. This spring, Guilford returns several veteran players from that run, while also welcoming some up-and-coming prospects who are all looking to help the club go further in 2018.
Thus far, the Indians are out to a strong start with a record of 3-1 after posting wins against East Lyme and Branford, as well as a victory versus Sacred Heart Academy, which defeated Guilford in the Class L State Tournament last year. Head Coach Steve Zajac said that all the pieces are in place for the Indians to improve upon their groundbreaking campaign from a year ago.
“We are striving to win our division and the SCC Tournament and go as deep into the Class L State Tournament as we can,” said Coach Zajac, whose team went 17-7 last season. “With 10 girls back who started games for us last year and a talented group of incoming freshman, we feel that we have the talent and experience to have a great season.”
The Indians started last week by posting a 12-2 victory over Sacred Heart Academy at Albertus Magnus College on April 9. Guilford then notched its third win of the year with a 15-6 victory over Branford on April 11. Senior pitcher Amanda King struck out seven in three innings, and she also had three hits with four RBI. Guilford built an 11-0 command, before the Hornets got on the board with three runs in the top of the fourth.
King will serve as the lone captain for the Indians this spring. King, who has been a captain since the midpoint of her sophomore year, is a two-time All-SCC selection who also made All-State in 2017. King pitched every inning for the Indians last year to go with batting average of .471, five home runs, and 28 RBI.
“Amanda has an incredible knowledge of the game. It’s like having another coach on the field,” Zajac said. “Amanda works very hard to reach her potential. Amanda is a three-sport star at Guilford and still finds time to work on her pitching and hitting year-round. She’s been our leader on the field the last three years and has done an outstanding job.”
Guilford also features senior leadership in the heart of its infield and outfield with second baseman Sara Barreira and center fielder Charlotte Young. Coach Zajac said both athletes have a knack for coming up clutch in the field both and at the plate.
“Sara has been a full-time starter for us in the infield for the last two seasons. She’s got an outstanding glove and provided one of the biggest hits last season to tie our SCC Tournament semifinal game with two outs in the seventh that we eventually won in eight innings versus North Haven,” said Zajac. “Charlotte covers a lot of ground in center. She’s the leader of our outfield. Charlotte also has a way of coming up with big hits, as she did with a big double in our win against Cheshire last season.”
The Indians’ junior class also includes fair share of seasoned veterans with leadoff hitter Ava Gladwin at shortstop, All-SCC Second Team selection Emily Torre (.421 average, 5 homers, 29 RBI in 2017) at first base, Jordyn Goldstein (.451 average and 26 RBI) at third base, Leah Kornguth at the catcher’s position, plus outfielder Jess Smith.
“Ava returns as our starting shortstop for the second season [and] does a great job defensively. Ava does a great job of getting on base and being one of the team leaders in runs scored. She uses her speed to create havoc on the bases,” said Coach Zajac. “Emily was one of our top hitters last year. Jordyn is in her third season as out third baseman. Leah has been a starter for the last two seasons. She does a great job calling the game and playing defense behind the plate. Leah also provides solid offense to the team with a career .300 average. Jess has a big bat, and she launched a long homer versus Sacred Heart Academy last season.”
Rounding out the outfield for Guilford are sophomores in Mary Evans and Eva Ott Hill. The Indians’ freshman class is comprised of Jillian Batick, Olive Meade, Megan Parisi, Carissa Ross, and Ema Signore.
“Mary is our starting left fielder with good speed in the outfield to track down lots of fly balls,” said Coach Zajac. “Eva will start games in the outfield and will also spend some time behind the plate.”
The Indians have some games against formidable SCC opponents circled on their calendar this year. Guilford will look to even the score with Hand in a rematch of a 10-4 loss to the Tigers on March 31, along with matchup versus Cheshire, which defeated the Indians in last year’s SCC final. Still, Coach Zajac saithe entire conference is loaded with stiff competition, and so the Indians have to be ready to play every day.
“Our two games versus Hand are always the highlight of the regular season. The games with Cheshire will also be big games on the schedule,” said Zajac. “Hand and Cheshire are two outstanding, well-coached teams, and the SCC is always tough from top to bottom, so every game will be a challenge.”
From the Sidelines
Steve Zajac is in his 16th season as Guilford’s skipper.
The assistant coaches for Guilford this year are Meghan Wiese, who is in her second season; and Christa Parisi, who is in her fourth season.
The Indians are once again in the SCC Hammonasset Division with Cheshire, Foran, Law, and Career.