Printer Friendly Version - T-Birds’ Softball, Girls’ Tennis Teams Both Get Fifth Victories

Junior Katy Pedersen had a nice day at the plate by collecting two hits to go with three runs and an RBI when the North Branford softball squad routed Morgan by a 19-2 score on April 9. The Thunderbirds defeated Haddam-Killingworth later in the week to move to 5-1 this year. Photo by Kelley Fryer/The Sound

The North Branford softball team improved to 5-1 this season after winning a pair of Shoreline Conference games last week. The T-Birds earned a one-sided victory versus Morgan and then defeated Haddam-Killingworth later in the week.

On April 9, North Branford hosted Morgan and prevailed by the final of 19-2 in a five-inning game. Senior Kaylee Velez threw a one-hitter with five strikeouts to earn the win for the Thunderbirds, whose offense produced 15 hits in the win. Junior Kayla Despres and sophomore Sophia Ouellet each had three hits to go with three RBI and two runs scored. Junior Katy Pedersen had two hits, including a triple, with three runs scored and one RBI. Sophomore Jada Miconi finished with three RBI for North Branford.

The next day, North Branford visited Haddam-Killingworth and left with an 11-5 victory. Velez earned another win in the circle by pitching a complete game in which she struck out seven. Miconi had three hits, including a home run, to go with four RBI and two runs scored. Despres had two hits, two runs, and two RBI, while freshman Hanna Senerchia had a big game with four hits, two runs scored, and one RBI.

North Branford posted a win against Morgan and then took losses versus Haddam-Killingworth and Coginchaug in last week’s games. The Thunderbirds moved to 4-2 on the year with these results.

On April 9, the T-Birds topped Morgan by a 6-2 score behind a great pitching performance by junior John Pollock, who threw six strong innings to earn his second victory of the year. Sophomore Jadon Canelli recorded the final three outs of the game for North Branford.

The next afternoon, the Thunderbirds dropped a 5-1 decision to Haddam-Killingworth. Junior Bret Fee pitched a solid game for North Branford by giving up just three hits in the defeat. Senior Gio Parillo hit a double for the T-Birds.

On April 12, North Branford faced Coginchaug and took a 6-2 loss. Canelli started the game and pitched 4.2 innings, after which freshman Dominic Scalia finished it out. North Branford’s hits came from seniors Tyler Sibley and Colin Baxter, junior Enrique Diaz, and Scalia.

The T-Birds stand at 5-1 this year after gaining a split in a pair of recent contests.

North Branford lost a 4-3 decision to Valley Regional on April 10. Junior Sofia Cavalier prevailed 6-2, 6-0 at No. 1 singles; senior Sydney Constantinidi claimed a 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 win at No. 2 singles; and senior Jordan Caplan rallied for a 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (7-3) victory at No. 3 singles for North Branford.

During the previous week’s action, North Branford defeated Haddam-Killingworth by a 6-1 score on April 4. Cavalier earned a 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 1 singles; Constantinidi won 6-1, 6-2 at No. 2 singles; Caplan netted a 6-1, 6-4 victory at No. 3 singles; and junior Janessa Pompano won 7-6, 6-1 at No. 4 singles for the T-Birds. On the doubles court, North Branford’s No. 1 team of juniors Briana Dautaj and Ava Galdenzi prevailed 6-1, 6-1; while the No. 2 team of senior Alyssa Diaz and sophomore Catie Dow recorded a 7-5, 6-2 victory.

On April 9, North Branford doubled up Morgan 10-5 behind a five-goal, two-assist performance from sophomore Tyler DiNapoli. Seniors Jake Montanaro and Nick Barrett each scored a pair of goals in the win, while junior Peter Ablondi-Taylor contributed a goal with an assist. Junior Colin Nugent added an assist for the Thunderbirds, who saw junior goalie Xavior Cognata make 19 saves to get the victory in net.

On April 13, the T-Birds took a 17-4 defeat at Branford. DiNapoli and Ablondi-Taylor scored two goals apiece, and Barrett recorded an assist for North Branford.

North Branford started its season by losing matchups against Haddam-Killingworth and Old Saybrook last week.

On April 9, North Branford took a 190-262 defeat versus Haddam-Killingworth. Freshman Dakota Cooper led the T-Birds with a round of 57 on the day. Senior Nick DeNegre shot a 66, freshman Blake Pearson shot a 69, and freshman Ryan Monde finished with a score of 70.

Two days later, North Branford lost to Old Saybrook by the final score of 176-257.

Junior Sofia Cavalier and the T-Birds’ girls’ tennis team took a loss to Valley Regional last week, but came back to blank Morgan and improve to 5-1 on the season. Photo by Kelley Fryer/The Sound