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05/07/2018 12:00 AM

Warriors’ Baseball and Softball Squads Both Punch State Tourney Tickets


Senior pitcher Sam Swap picked up a couple of wins on the mound by tossing two complete games to help the Valley Regional baseball team secure a spot in the Class M State Tournament. Photo by Kelley Fryer/The Courier

Baseball

The Valley Regional baseball team secured three victories in four games last week to move its record to 10-5 on the season, in addition to clinching a berth in the Class M State Tournament. The Warriors defeated Creed-Hillhouse, East Hampton, and Morgan in their most recent contests.

On April 30, the Warriors notched a postseason-clinching 17-4 win on the road against Creed-Hillhouse. Freshman Kyle Metz earned his first varsity victory on the mound by pitching 6.2 innings for Valley. Garrhett Watrous went 3-for-4 at the dish, while Josh Ross was 2-for-2 with two RBI in the victory.

The next day, Valley scored an 8-0 win at East Hampton as Sam Swap tossed a complete-game shutout that included 12 strikeouts. Ross went 2-for-4 with four RBI, and Chase Morris went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI. Nate Robida, Jake Robertson, Zach Stevens, and Cade Ensinger all had two hits for Head Coach Brian Drinkard’s club.

The following afternoon, the Warriors lost an 8-3 contest at home versus Haddam-Killingworth. Robertson turned in a solid showing on the mound for the Warriors, who made a few miscues on defense that helped H-K come away with the win. Jeff Sypher had two hits for Valley Regional in the defeat.

On May 5, Valley defeated Morgan by the final score of 3-2 in a home game. Swap pitched another complete game for the Warriors and recorded eight K’s to improve his record to 6-0 on the season. Robida went 2-for-3 with an RBI, and Ross had a hit and two RBI for Valley Regional.

Softball

The Warriors’ softball squad recorded two victories in its three games last week to improve to 9-4 on the year, while also booking a trip to the Class M State Tournament.

On May 1, Head Coach Ken Wilson’s squad sealed its spot in states by earning a 6-1 home victory over Haddam-Killingworth. The Cougars led by a run after the top of the fourth inning, but Valley came back and scored two runs in the bottom half to take a 2-1 lead, and then added four more in the sixth for insurance. Addy Bullis earned the win on the mound for the Warriors. At the plate, Alex Figuenick went 3-for-4 with a run scored and four RBI, and Laura Allen was 2-for-3 with two runs in the win.

The next day, Valley dropped a 9-5 home decision versus Morgan. Allen went 1-for-3 with a run and an RBI, Figuenick had a double, and Bullis produced two hits to go with three RBI.

On May 4, Valley defeated Cromwell in a 7-0 home victory.

Boys’ Lacrosse

Valley Regional was victorious in two of its three contests last week by posting wins over North Branford and Morgan. With these two victories, the Warriors boosted their record to 5-6 on the year.

On May 1, the Warriors recorded a 15-7 home victory versus North Branford. Valley got out to fast start and led 8-2 at halftime en route to the victory. Rick Persico scored three goals to go with an assist, and Sean Cole provided two goals and six helpers for the Warriors. Charlie Ferrucci tallied two goals and four assists, Finn Miller scored four goals, and Cam Frazier and Keenan Pindar each supplied a goal. Dylan LaPlace made eight saves in net to get the win for Valley.

Two days later, Valley defeated Morgan at home, 12-9. The Warriors took a 5-1 lead in the first quarter and kept the Huskies from getting too close the rest of the way. Cole and Ferrucci both tallied three goals and two assists in the win. Persico scored three goals, Miller and Frazier netted two goals apiece, and Soren Frantz also scored a goal. LaPlace made seven saves for Valley in the victory.

On May 5, the Warriors lost to Ellington, 8-3, at home. After hanging with Knights through the first half, Valley allowed four goals to Ellington in the third quarter, and that proved too much for the Warriors to overcome. Persico, Cole, and Frazier scored goals for Valley, and Cole also provided an assist. LaPlace made seven saves in goal.

Girls’ Lacrosse

The Warriors won both of their games last week and are now sporting a record of 5-4 this season.

On May 3, Valley headed to the Indian River Complex to face off against Morgan and earned an 18-9 victory. Two days later, the Warriors defeated Haddam-Killingworth by the tally of 17-6 to get over the .500 mark.

Boys’ Tennis

Valley snagged three wins in four matches last week to raise its record to 8-4 on the year.

On April 30, Valley defeated Haddam-Killingworth 6-0 in a home match. The next day, the Warriors earned a 4-2 win against East Hampton at home. The following afternoon, Valley dropped a 7-0 contest at Old Lyme. Then on May 4, the Warriors defeated North Branford in a 7-0 sweep.

Girls’ Tennis

The Warriors won two of their three matches last week and now stand at 9-4 this season.

On April 30, Valley lost on the road against Haddam-Killingworth by a 5-2 final. Two days later, the Warriors hosted Old Lyme and defeated the Wildcats by a score of 4-3. The next day, Valley beat North Branford by the score of 5-2 in a home match.

Golf

Valley had a pair of matches last week and won one of them to move to 2-2 on the season.

On May 1, the Warriors hosted East Hampton at the par-36 Fox Hopyard Country Club and defeated the Bellringers 216-248. Sam Paulson shot a 49 for the Warriors, while Kevin Michel and Sam Craco both turned in a score of 55. Logan Bellos finished the day with a score of 57.

Two days later, Valley had another home match at Fox Hopyard against Old Lyme and lost 158-231. Paulson and Michel both scored a 55 in the match. Kevin Fasulo turned in a score of 60, and Craco finished the day with a round of 61.

Crew

The Warriors traveled to Saratoga, New York to compete at the Saratoga Invitational Regatta that took place from April 27-29. The event included 60 teams from throughout the Northeast. Valley was represented by 27 athletes at the regatta. Also attending the event were Head Coach John Laundon, as well as coaches Renny Schoonmaker, Emily Powers, and Peter Charbonnier in support of the crew.

Valley Regional competed in two girls’ varsity races in boats of four and one junior varsity girls’ race of four. There were also two girls’ novice races in boats of eight, and two boys’ novice races in boats of four.

Additionally, the Warriors made program history when Emma Carey competed in a girls’ singles boat race, and Tessa LeMay and Emily Hutchinson raced in a girls’ junior doubles boat for the first time.

Senior Alex Figuenick tore the cover off the ball last week with a 3-for-4 showing that included four RBI and a run scored against Haddam-Killingworth in the win that pushed the Warriors into the postseason. Photo by Kelley Fryer/The Courier
Junior Freddie Kerr helped the Warriors’ boys’ tennis team notch three wins in last week’s action. Photo by Kelley Fryer/The Courier