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05/06/2018 12:00 AMSoftball
The Thunderbirds’ softball squad continued its dominance of the Shoreline Conference by collecting four more victories to improve to 15-0 on the season. North Branford defeated Morgan, East Haven, Cromwell, and Coginchaug last week, with senior Sydney Senerchia throwing one-hitters in the East Haven and Cromwell victories.
On April 30, North Branford topped Morgan 14-6. Kayla Despres led the way with a four-hit night to go with two runs scored and two RBI. Olivia Hemstock had two hits, three runs scored, and an RBI; Danielle Ramada had two hits, two runs, and three RBI; Amy Raucci had two hits, a run scored, and a pair of RBI; and Senerchia also drove in three runs. Mairead Aiken toed the rubber to start the game and allowed four runs (0 earned) in four innings on two hits and three walks, while striking out five. Kaylee Velez came in for the final three innings and earned the win as she allowed two runs (0 earned) on five hits and a walk to go with a pair of punchouts.
The next day, the T-Birds hosted East Haven and won 9-0 as Senerchia tossed a one-hitter with 14 K’s. Katy Pedersen had three hits, including a triple, to go with two runs scored and two RBI. Ramada, Despres, and Jada Miconi all posted multi-hit nights, while Ramada had three RBI.
North Branford defeated Cromwell 5-0 on May 2 behind another one-hit gem from Senerchia, who fanned 13. Despres, Hemstock, Senerchia, and Miconi all had two-hit games, plus Despres scored two runs.
The Thunderbirds edged Coginchaug 3-2 on May 4. Raucci’s two-RBI double in the third inning proved the game-winning hit. Despres drove home Miconi in the first inning for North Branford’s first run. Senerchia earned her 12th win by allowing just two unearned runs. She has yet to allow an earned run this season.
Baseball
North Branford won a pair of games last week to improve to 7-7 and move one win away from a spot in states.
On April 30, North Branford played Old Saybrook and lost 14-8. The Thunderbirds jumped out to an early 8-0 lead after batting around in the third inning, but Old Saybrook came back by plating 14 unanswered runs.
North Branford rebounded with an 11-8 victory over Morgan on May 2. Tyler Sibley had the key hit as he drove a two-out base knock to right field to bring in two runs. Steve Galluba had four hits and a walk, while Enrique Diaz, Colin Baxter, and Nick Mancini all had one hit. Jason Ryszczyk pitched four innings, before Jadon Cannelli finished off the game in relief.
In their last game of the week, the T-Birds defeated Cromwell 2-1 in nine innings on May 4. North Branford was down 1-0 going into the seventh, but Mancini’s clutch hit to left field drove in one to tie the game. The T-Birds later took the lead in the top of the ninth, when Sean Lucibello stole home after Cromwell’s catcher dropped the ball following an attempt at a squeeze bunt by North Branford. Jeff Jablonski was great on the mound, going 8.1 innings to move to 4-1 on the year, after which John Pollick recorded the save. Pollick came into the ninth inning with one out and nobody on and, after allowing back-to-back hits, he gave up a low line drive to left field. Galluba made what appeared to be a diving catch, but the ball popped out of his glove when he hit the ground. Luckily, Diaz alertly picked up the ball and threw out the lead runner out at third. Pollick then retired the next batter.
Girls’ Lacrosse
The Thunderbirds were victorious in both of their games last week to improve to 10-1 this year.
On May 3, North Branford blew out Haddam-Killingworth 21-4 on the road. Mackenzie MacGowan led the way with five goals and two assists, while Jessie Kilburn scored four goals. Emilie Wilkinson and Mary-Kate Torgerson each scored three goals, and Emmy Norton scored twice and assisted on two others. Jazzy Coleman, Adriana Ingarra, Ali Barrett, and Melanie Norton also found the back of the net, while Barrett had three assists. Carly Sorrentino made six saves in net.
Two days later, the T-Birds posted a 23-4 rout against North Haven. Kilburn had eight goals and three assists, while Ingarra scored a goal and dished out nine helpers. Wilkinson and MacGowan both scored four goals, plus Emmy Norton and Barrett each scored three.
Boys’ Lacrosse
North Branford split a pair of contests last week to move to 6-6 and sit just one victory shy of a state tourney berth.
On May 1, the Thunderbirds took a 15-7 defeat at Valley Regional. Pete Taylor scored three goals, and Tyler Dinapoli netted a pair of goals to go with three assists. Dylan Martinik and Jacob Montanaro each added a goal.
North Branford took on Haddam-Killingworth at home on May 3 and came away with a 10-8 victory. It was a tight game as North Branford outscored H-K 3-1 in the final quarter to earn the win. Taylor recorded five goals, Nate Raymond scored twice, and Dinapoli, Aiden Ferrucci, and Alex Clinton all found the back of the net once. Dinapoli also had two assists for the T-Birds, who saw Xavior Cognata make seven saves to get the win.
Girls’ Tennis
The T-Birds took three defeats last week and are now 6-7 on the year.
On May 1, North Branford hosted Old Lyme and lost a 6-1 contest. The next day, the Thunderbirds notched a 6-1 home win over Cromwell. On May 4, North Branford lost to Cromwell 5-2.
Boys’ Tennis
North Branford had matches with Old Lyme and Valley Regional last week and took a pair of 7-0 defeats. T-Birds are now 0-7 this season.
Golf
The Thunderbirds hit the road for a trio of matches last week and dropped three decisions for a mark of 1-7.
On April 30, North Branford shot a 183 at Fox Hopyard and lost to Hale-Ray, which totaled a team score of 181. On May 2, the T-Birds faced Maloney at Hunter Golf Club and lost by the score of 197-202. The next day, North Branford squared off against Portland and lost by the final score of 161-199.