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06/08/2018 12:00 AMSoftball
The North Branford softball team saw its exceptional 2018 season come to a close when the Thunderbirds took a 4-0 loss to Griswold in the semifinals of the Class M State Tournament at DeLuca Field in Stratford on June 7. North Branford, which had an undefeated regular season and won its fourth straight Shoreline Conference Tournament title this year, finished the campaign with an overall record of 26-1.
No. 3 seed Griswold defeated the 2nd-seeded T-Birds by a 4-0 score behind a perfect game from pitcher Maya Waldron, who retired all 21 hitters she faced, while striking out 15. North Branford senior pitcher Sydney Senerchia struck out 12 batters, allowing four runs on seven hits. Griswold took a 1-0 lead on a home run in the second inning and then added three more runs in the fourth inning.
North Branford had reached the Class M semis by defeating Woodland (6-0), Ellington (1-0 in 8 innings), and Waterford (8-0) in the first three rounds. Two weeks ago, Head Coach Nick DeLizio’s club posted a 2-1 win versus Hale-Ray in the Shoreline Conference final to take the crown for the fourth time in his four seasons as head coach.
Girls’ Lacrosse
The Thunderbirds’ girls’ lacrosse squad was eliminated from the Class M State Tournament with a 15-8 defeat against New Fairfield in the semifinal round at Bunnell High School on June 5. The T-Birds, who won their first Shoreline Conference Tournament championship this spring, completed their season with an overall mark of 17-3.
Top-seeded North Branford and No. 4 seed New Fairfield were knotted at 3-3, before the Rebels scored final six goals of the first half to take a 9-3 lead into the break. New Fairfield outscored the Thunderbirds 6-5 in the second half to get the win and advance to the final.
Junior captain Jessie Kilburn led North Branford by scoring six goals, while Emilie Wilkinson and Ali Barrett each found the back of the net once. Carly Sorrentino made 10 saves in goal for Head Coach Lori Connelly’s squad.
North Branford posted a regular-season record of 14-2 this year and then earned a 10-7 win against Old Lyme to win the Shoreline Conference Tournament. In states, the T-Birds had a first-round bye and then defeated St. Paul by an 18-4 score in the quarterfinals.
Golf
North Branford competed in the Division IV State Championship on June 4 at Timberlin Golf Course in Kensington. The T-Birds finished tied for seventh place after shooting a collective round of 350.
Paul Zumbo finished with the best day for North Branford as he was tied for fifth place with a score of 80. Jacob Neubig shot an 82 to finished in 12th, John Lovelace shot an 85 to place 25th, David Murgo ended his round with a 103 to take 75th place, and Zach Smola shot a 106 to finish in 77th.
Girls’ Outdoor Track
Sophomore Mackenzie Glenn qualified to compete in the long jump on behalf of North Branford at the State Open Championship at Willow Brook Park on June 4. Glenn scored a point for the Thunderbirds by placing eighth in the long jump with a leap of 16 feet-11.5 inches. She ad previously placed second in the event at the Shoreline Conference Championship and then finished fourth at the Class S State Championship.
Girls’ Tennis
Sophomore Sofia Cavalier competed for the T-Birds in the singles bracket of the State Open Tournament on June 3. Cavalier took an 8-2 defeat against Emma Kassis of Shepaug Valley in a qualifying-round contest.