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04/08/2019 12:00 AMSoftball
The Valley Regional softball squad is off to a hot start after earning four wins in four games to open the season. The Warriors defeated Somers, Portland, North Branford, and Morgan to jump out to a 4-0 record this spring.
On March 30, Valley grabbed an 8-5 home victory over Somers. Valley trailed by a run entering sixth inning, where the Warriors scored five runs to take control of the game. Junior Carlee Kirla went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI, while sophomore Lexi Ross was 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI. Freshman Samantha Pierce had a hit, scored a run, and drove in a pair, and senior Kelli Schaefer had a hit with a run and an RBI. Junior pitcher Addy Bullis threw seven innings in which she allowed three hits, two earned runs, and struck out 13.
Two days later, Valley posted a 21-0 shutout against Portland home. The Warriors scored eight runs in the first inning, and the game was ultimately called after five innings due to the mercy rule. Kirla was 3-for-4 with three RBI, and two runs, while Schaefer went 3-for-3 with three runs scored and two RBI. Lauren Allen (3-for-4, 2 runs, 2 RBI), Riley Millburne (3-for-3, 3 runs, 2 RBI), and Hannah Jenkins (2-for-2, 3 RBI) also had big games for the Warriors. Bullis got her second win by pitching five innings and striking out 14.
On April 3, Valley eked out a 3-2 home win versus North Branford with a late rally. North Branford put a run on the board in the top of the first inning. The Warriors tied it up with a run in the bottom of the third. The Thunderbirds went ahead with a run in the top of the fifth, but Valley responded by plating a pair in the bottom of the inning to get the one-run win. Jenkins went 2-for-2 with two runs scored, while Lexi Ross drove in all three of the Warriors’ runs on a 2-for-3 performance. Bullis allowed one earned run and fanned 13 on the mound.
Two days later, the Warriors earned a 14-2 road victory against Morgan. Valley scored three runs in the top of the first, but Morgan closed the gap with two runs in the bottom half. In the top of the third, Valley’s offense exploded for six runs, and the Warriors continued adding on until the mercy rule took effect in the fifth inning. Jenkins had two base hits and had a pair of runs with three RBI. Kirla had a hit, a run, and two RBI. Ross (3-for-4, 2 runs, 2 RBI), Millburne (2 runs, 2 RBI), and Allen (2-for-3, 2 runs) also contributed to the win. Bullis had another stellar game in which she allowed one earned run and had eight strikeouts in five innings pitched.
Baseball
The Warriors picked up their first win of the season in a slate of three games last week. After dropping contests against Portland and North Branford, Valley picked a victory over Morgan to start the spring at 1-2.
On April 1, the Warriors took a 1-0 home defeat versus Portland. Freshman James Marsden pitched well in the loss by going four innings and allowing no runs on one hit with eight strikeouts.
Two days later, Valley hosted North Branford and took a 16-7 defeat to the Thunderbirds. On April 5, the Warriors earned their first win with an 11-3 road victory versus Morgan. Sophomore pitcher Ryan Ellison notched his first varsity victory for Valley. Senior captain Josh Ross was 3-for-3 with four RBI, while sophomore Kyle Metz went 4-for-5 with five RBI, including a three-run homer.
Girls’ Tennis
The Warriors got out to a solid start on the year by winning all four of their matches last week.
On March 30, the Warriors grabbed a 6-1 road win against Portland. Three days later, Valley hosted Old Saybrook and earned a 5-2 victory. On April 3, Valley headed to Westbrook and secured a 5-2 road win against the Knights. The next day, Valley defeated Cromwell by the final score of 6-1 at home.
Boys’ Tennis
Valley took three defeats during the first week of its season.
On April 2, Valley took a 7-0 road loss against Old Saybrook. The next day, the Warriors lost a 5-2 decision versus Westbrook at home. On April 4, Valley dropped a 6-1 decision at Cromwell.
Crew
Valley competed against the Brooks School, Dexter Southfield, and Duxbury Bay its first regatta of the season last week. The race took place on April 6 at Lake Cochichewick, where the conditions included a tailwind of 10- to- 12 miles per hour with some chop in the last 500 meters of the 1,500-meter course. All races were coxed boats of four.
The girls’ first boat came in fourth place with a time of 5:56.8, while the second boat also placed fourth with a time of 6:42.0. The girls’ third boat took second place with a time of 6:31.6, and the fourth boat earned third place with a time of 7:37.0.
The Valley boys’ fifth boat also took part at the regatta and finished with a time of 6:42.6 to place second in its race.
Girls’ Lacrosse
The Warriors played four games to begin their season and came away with one victory last week.
On March 30, the Warriors dropped a 12-9 decision at Stonington. Valley took a 9-4 lead into halftime, but Stonington rallied in the second half by scoring eight goals to get the victory.
Two days later, the Warriors secured a 16-10 road win against Morgan. Valley took an 11-6 lead into the half en route to the win.
On April 3, the Warriors lost a 16-6 road contest versus North Branford. Then on April 6, Valley lost a 20-12 decision at Waterford.
Boys’ Lacrosse
Valley took losses Morgan and North Branford in the first week of its campaign.
On April 2, Valley dropped a 13-10 decision to Morgan in a home game. Freshman Duncan Rider had a strong showing with four goals and two assists, while senior Ricky Persico added three goals and two assists. Sean Cole scored a goal and dished out three assists for the Warriors. Keenan Pindar and Cam Frazier both scored a goal. Senior goalie Dylan LaPlace made 12 saves in net.
Two days later, Valley lost an 8-5 matchup at North Branford. Rider supplied two goals and two assists, and Persico had three goals with one assist.