This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
05/06/2018 12:00 AMThe Haddam-Killingworth softball squad returned a much younger roster this year after graduating several key athletes from the 2017 campaign. However, a pair of seniors and a group of promising underclass athletes have stepped up to the challenge and are playing like a collection of savvy veterans this spring.
Coming into this season, the Cougars had to replace five senior starters from a team that went 16-8 a year ago. Still, H-K came out of the gates strong by winning seven of its first nine games to sit on the doorstep of a playoff spot entering last week’s action. H-K took a 6-1 loss to Valley Regional on May 1, but then clinched berths in both the Shoreline Conference and Class M State tournaments with a 7-0 shutout of Coginchaug the following day. After that, the Cougars improved to 9-3 by defeating Morgan 11-2 on May 4.
Head Coach Jeff Talbott said the second half of H-K’s regular-season schedule features some formidable adversaries, but based on what he’s seen so far, he feels confident that his squad can handle it.
“We only have two seniors, but we have sophomore and junior classes that are very strong with versatile kids,” said Talbott. “I’m happy with where we are at right now. We have tougher games ahead, but the progress has been good, which is all I can ask for.”
H-K’s two seniors are also the team’s captains, and they both occupy crucial spots in the lineup. The Cougars’ captains this season are first baseman and cleanup hitter Ali Halligan, along with leadoff batter and center fielder Olivia Whitehead.
“Ali is one of the most powerful hitters, and she is also one of the top fielders in the Shoreline. She’s a former catcher and knows how to come off the bag,” Talbott said. “Olivia is my go-to communications person with the rest of the team. She’s like an assistant coach. She’s a lefty and more of a slap and line-drive hitter. I couldn’t have asked for two better kids as captains.”
After going 6-2 last year, junior Brooke LaTouche figured to be the focal point of the H-K’s pitching staff, although she’s been working her way back from a preseason shoulder injury. In the interim, sophomores Adelle Biondi and Faith Torello both collected three victories during the month of April.
Last week, Torello pitched a four-hit shutout with seven strikeouts in H-K’s win versus Coginchaug and then picked up her fifth victory by allowing just four hits and no earned runs against Morgan.
“Brooke has been able to heal with the bad weather and postponements. But now, we have a luxury with three pitchers who are equal in my mind,” said Coach Talbott. “I have been using each one so far for a couple innings per game. The second half of the season will tell a lot, and our pitching will have to step up and go a full six or seven innings.”
Looking at the rest of H-K’s batting order, junior left fielder Amanda Minervino is in the No. 2 slot, junior catcher Faith Mauri (a 2017 All-Shoreline First Team selection) is hitting No. 3, sophomore second baseman Rachel Mauri bats fifth, junior outfielder Chloe DiStasio hits sixth, and freshman right fielder Ella McGlynn is the No. 7 hitter.
“Amanda is a great contact hitter and good base runner. Faith is one of the best players I’ve coached here. She’s a five-tool player. She has a great throwing arm and awesome running speed,” said Talbott. “Rachel is following in her sister’s footsteps. She’s a very solid hitter and knowledgeable player. Chloe is a very good player. Ella is very strong and was part of two double plays against East Hampton earlier this year.”
In the Coginchaug win, the Cougars’ offense was led by three hits and three RBI from Minervino, along with a single, a double, and two RBI by both Halligan and Rachel Mauri.
For the Morgan victory, Minervino had two hits and two RBI, while Rachel Mauri collected three hits and three RBI. Junior Shannon Nelson returned to the lineup after recovering from a knee injury and had three hits.
The Haddam-Killingworth softball program has quite a successful pedigree when it comes to success in the Shoreline Conference—something its athletes were reminded about prior to this season. The Cougars are eying one of those lengthy postseason journeys this year, and Coach Talbott believes that can happen if they continue playing a complete game.
“I always have them sit under the championship banners for softball at the start of the year. I do it to remind them to maintain that level of play,” Talbott said. “We want to make both the Shoreline and State tournaments and win the Shoreline Conference. If we play an all-around good game, then there’s no telling what we can do.”
From the Sidelines
Jeff Talbott is in his 20th year as the head coach of the Haddam-Killingworth softball squad.
Sandy Castlevitro is the lone Cougars’ assistant coach in 2018.
This is the Cougars’ 41st season as a team, and they have missed states only once in their history.