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04/21/2018 12:00 AMThe North Haven softball team had a big last week that saw the Indians win all three of their three games to improve to 6-2 on the season. The Indians posted an 8-0 victory at Sheehan, defeated West Haven 6-3 in a home game, and then recorded a 2-0, nine-inning win at Lauralton Hall on April 20. North Haven’s wins against Sheehan and Lauralton Hall put the team’s record at 2-0 in the Oronoque Division, which the Indians won last season.
Karen Castagnola is serving as North Haven’s interim head coach this year in place of longtime head coach Sally Maher, who is on sabbatical. Castagnola, an Indians’ softball alum, had worked alongside Maher as a varsity assistant and head coach of the JV team for the past 22 seasons. Although she’s now in a different role, Castagnola’s passion for softball and working with the kids remain as strong as ever. The coach is looking for the Indians to function as a cohesive outfit on the field, and she’s been pleased with early returns.
“I’m enjoying it. I love the game, and I love the kids,” Castagnola said. “We want everything to be clicking—the pitching, the defense, the hitting. I want us to play as one unit and, so far, it’s coming along really nicely.”
North Haven has strung together several successful seasons, and last year was among the best of the bunch as the Indians won 20 games en route to reaching the SCC Tournament semifinals and the Class L State Tournament quarterfinals. With a team that features a veteran pitcher, a sound defense, and a pesky offense, Coach Castagnola said the Indians have major aspirations for the 2018 campaign.
“Their goal is to go further than they did last year. They want to win the division, and they want to get a state championship,” said Castagnola. “From the day they were freshmen, this junior class told Sally and I that they want to win a state championship. That’s been their overall long-term goal, and that’s what they’re working for. I told them that I will do everything in my power to get them there.”
North Haven started off last week by claiming an 8-0 victory at Sheehan on April 17. Second baseman Sarah Lombardi had a huge day by going 4-for-4 with a triple and an RBI, while fellow junior Gigi Russo was 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI for North Haven, which jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the third inning and never looked back.
Junior Lauren Card, who’s in her third year as the Indians’ primary pitcher, used her changeup to keep the Titans’ batters off-kilter on her way to pitching a three-hitter with 10 strikeouts.
“Lauren was strong, and Sheehan was having trouble hitting her. They were very late on her. Everything was going to the right side, meaning she had some pop on the ball,” Castagnola said. “It’s a benefit that Lauren has a lot of experience and plays a lot. She works really hard at being a good pitcher, and she’s hungry for wins.”
The next day, the Indians hosted West Haven and doubled up the Blue Devils, 6-3. Lombardi had a base hit with two RBI for the Indians, who staked themselves to a 6-0 lead by scoring two runs in each of the second, fourth, and fifth innings. Card turned in another solid showing by allowing six hits and fanning five in a complete-game effort. She gave up three runs in the seventh inning, but never allowed West Haven to get the tying run to the plate.
Two days later, North Haven traveled to Milford to face Lauralton Hall in an Oronoque showdown and prevailed by a 2-0 final in nine innings. Card turned in another dominant effort in the circle by pitching all nine innings, while striking out 10 for her sixth win. In the top of the ninth inning, sophomore Eryn Sheeley singled, took second on a single by junior Carly Brown, and then scored the game’s first run on a wild pitch. Brown later came home on a fielder’s choice to make it 2-0.
North Haven’s captains are catcher Caroline Gabrielle, who has been sidelined with an injury; fellow senior Ashleigh Zapanta, who is a utility player; and juniors Peyton Davis and Olivia Petersen, who start in center field and left field, respectively. Brown is starting in right field for North Haven.
Along with Russo behind the plate, the Indians have Sheeley at first base in the infield, along with Lombardi as the starting second baseman, Caitlin Ranciato at shortstop, and fellow junior Haylee Garthwait playing third. Sheeley is also the team’s backup pitcher.
The other athletes on North Haven’s varsity roster are juniors Madison Aiello (first base) and Emily Casamento (second base), sophomores Payton Hebert (infielder) and Juliana Jones (utility), and freshmen Alexandra Ferriouolo (infielder), Jordan Maenza (catcher), and Sydney Maezna (pitcher).
From the Sidelines
North Haven softball interim Head Coach Karen Castagnola is assisted JV Head Coach Jen Kruver, who was the Indians’ starting pitcher when they won the Class L state title in 2008; along with volunteers Roy Castagnola, who is Karen’s husband; and Vin Cretella.
Prior to last week’s games, the Indians defeated Branford (22-0), Sacred Heart Academy (3-2 in 9 innings), and Foran (10-1) this year.
For the rest of the season, North Haven has home games against Lyman Hall, Foran, Sacred Heart Academy, Sheehan, Lauralton Hall, and Cross. The Indians will also be on the road to face Law, Cross, Branford, West Haven, Lyman Hall, and Amity.