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04/22/2018 12:00 AMSoftball
The North Branford softball squad clinched its berth in the Class M State Tournament in short order by posting wins over Portland and Valley Regional to improve to 8-0 this spring. The T-Birds are also ranked No. 5 in the GameTime CT/Register Top 10 Softball Poll.
On April 18, the Thunderbirds visited Portland and left with a 12-0 victory. Kaylee Velez started on the hill and earned the win as she pitched three perfect innings and struck out seven. Mairead Aiken pitched the final two innings of relief, allowing a hit and a walk, while striking out three batters. Offensively, Amy Raucci had a two hits, including a home run, with three RBI. Olivia Hemstock scored two runs and had two RBI, plus freshman Sophia Ouellet and Jada Miconi each finished with a pair of RBI.
The T-Birds wrapped up the week with a 6-2 victory over Valley Regional on April 20. Sydney Senerchia went the distance to earn her sixth win in the circle as she struck out 13 batters and allowed two runs on three hits. Hemstock had two hits, including a double, with one RBI. Miconi collected two RBI, while Angelina Ramada, Danielle Ramada, and Katy Pedersen drove in one run apiece for the T-Birds, who clinched their berth in the postseason with this victory.
Baseball
North Branford kept its record even after splitting a pair of home games last week to move to 4-4. The Thunderbirds posted a thrilling victory against Cromwell, before losing to Portland in last week’s matchups.
On April 17, North Branford beat Cromwell 6-5 in a walk-off win. The T-Birds had 11 hits, including the game-winning base knock by Colin Baxter. Overall, Baxter had three hits and three RBI in the win, while Steve Galluba had two hits. Jeff Jablonski pitched six innings for North Branford, and Bret Fee earned the win by pitching one inning of relief.
The T-Birds then took a 15-6 loss to Portland on April 20. Galluba had two hits for North Branford.
Girls’ Lacrosse
The Thunderbirds won all three of their games last week to improve to 6-1 on the season. North Branford recorded convincing victories versus Morgan, Rocky Hill, and Ellington in last week’s action.
On April 17, the T-Birds won by a score of 19-8 on the road against Morgan. Adriana Ingarra led the way with five goals and six assists for North Branford. Melanie Norton, Emmy Norton, Ali Barrett, Avonlea LeBeau, Aly Kendrick, and Cayleen Defaranos all scored two goals, while MacKenzie MacGowan and Emilie Wilkinson each scored once. Barrett handed out three assists, plus Emmy Norton, MacGowan, and Gabby Gibilisco had two helpers apiece. Carly Sorrentino made four saves in net.
Following that win, North Branford took on Rocky Hill on April 19 and won 18-4. Emmy Norton and Jessie Kilburn scored five goals apiece, while MacGowan netted three goals. LeBeau scored twice, and Barrett, Wilkinson, and Ingarra each scored a goal. Ingarra recorded a team-leading six assists, plus Barrett recorded four assists for the T-Birds, who saw Sorrentino make eight saves in goal.
To close out the week, the T-Birds beat Ellington 17-2 on April 21. Ingarra scored a team-high five goals, while Kilburn and Wilkinson both scored three goals. Barrett netted a pair of goals, and Melanie Norton, Emmy Norton, LeBeau, and Gibilisco all scored a goal. Sorrentino came up with eight saves in the win.
Boys’ Lacrosse
North Branford lost its lone game last week to drop to 2-5 this season.
On April 17, the T-Birds played host to Morgan and lost 19-6 despite putting 20 goals on target. All six of the T-Birds’ goals were scored by freshman Tyler Dinapoli, while sophomore Nate Raymond had an assist.
Girls' Tennis
The Thunderbirds lost three contests last week and are now 4-4 for the year.
On April 17, North Branford hosted Coginchaug and took a 4-3 loss. The next day, the T-Birds made the trip to Westbrook, where they lost 5-2. To close out the week, the Thunderbirds lost to Old Saybrook by a 4-3 score on April 20.
Boys' Tennis
North Branford took on Coginchaug on April 17 and lost by the score of 7-0. The defeat puts North Branford's record at 0-3 this season.