This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
05/01/2022 12:00 AMBaseball
The Valley Regional baseball team played three home games last week and came away with two victories to improve its record to 8-2 on the season. The Warriors took a loss to Coginchaug before rallying for a dramatic win over North Branford and then defeating Morgan in convincing fashion in last week’s matchups.
In its first game of the week, Valley took a 6-2 loss to Coginchaug in a home game on April 25. Two days later, the Warriors hosted North Branford and defeated the Thunderbirds by a 9-8 score in a tremendous comeback effort.
North Branford jumped out to a 5-0 lead versus Valley by scoring 2 runs in the first inning and 3 runs in the second. Valley cut the deficit to 5-3 in the bottom half of the second, sparked by three-straight singles from junior Brayden Shea, junior Lucas Rogers, and junior Jack Finnegan. Junior Braeden Sparaco knocked in both Shea and Finnegan on a base hit to make it 5-3 score.
North Branford scored 2 runs in the third to take a 7-3 lead, but the Warriors plated 4 runs in the bottom half of the frame to make it a 7-7 game. Shea had an RBI single, junior Sam Hutchinson hit a two-run triple, and then Sparaco had an RBI single to spur the team’s rally.
Valley took a 9-7 lead in the fourth when senior Andrew Salbinski hit a one-out triple and scored on a base hit by junior Reed Beighau. Pinch runner Luke Buccaro, a junior, later stole home on a pickoff attempt at first base, scoring what proved to be the decisive run.
North Branford scored a run to make it 9-8 in the seventh inning, but Finnegan struck out the last batter of the game to secure the win for the Warriors. Sparaco earned the win on the mound by striking out 8 batters in 3.2 innings. Finnegan fanned 5 hitters while closing out the victory for Valley.
The Warriors finished off their week by posting a 12-3 home win versus Morgan on April 29. Hutchinson earned the victory on the hill after striking out in 3.2 innings pitched for Valley. Seniors James Marsden went 3-for-3, and Rogers was 2-for-2 in the win.
Softball
The Valley Regional softball squad had a busy week with four road games on its schedule last week. The Warriors claimed victory in one of those contests to put their overall record at 5-8 this season.
Valley took a 15-7 defeat at North Branford on April 25. Senior Vivian Paradis went 3-for-4 with 2 RBI for the Warriors. Senior Kenzie Mulé went 2-for-3 with a walk and 2 RBI in the game. Senior Abby Amara went 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI; senior Samantha Pierce was 1-for-4 with a double and 2 runs scored; junior Anna Benson went 1-for-2 with a walk, a run, an RBI, and a stolen base; and junior Paige Lee went 1-for-1 with a run and an RBI.
Then on April 27, the Warriors lost to North Branford by a 21-8 score in a road game. Pierce had 2 hits with 3 RBI, while senior Gabi Quinn also had 2 hits for Valley.
The following day, Valley took a 5-4 road loss versus East Hampton. The day after that, the Warriors traveled to Clinton to take on Morgan and recorded a 16-1 victory over the Huskies.
Boys’ Tennis
The Valley Regional boys’ tennis team improved to 8-0 on the season after winning all three of its three matchups last week. The Warriors claimed victories versus East Hampton, Portland, and Old Lyme in recent action.
On April 25, Valley recorded a 6-1 home win against East Hampton. Two days later, Valley was on the road to face Portland and posted a 7-0 shutout over the Highlanders. The Warriors finished off their week by notching a 4-3 victory over Old Lyme in a road match on April 29.
Girls’ Tennis
The Valley Regional girls’ tennis team claimed victory in two recent contests and is now 8-2 on the year. The Warriors defeated Portland and East Hampton in last week’s matches.
Valley kicked off its week by notching a 7-0 shutout at Portland on April 27. Then on April 29, the Warriors hosted East Hampton and netted a 7-0 win against the Bellringers at Valley Regional High School.
Boys’ Lacrosse
The Valley Regional boys’ lacrosse team played three games last week and came away with two victories to improve to 5-6 in the 2022 season. The Warriors earned wins over Old Saybrook and Cromwell before losing to Granby in last week’s action.
Valley started off its week by posting a 13-6 victory against Old Saybrook in a road game on April 26. Two days later, the Warriors hosted Cromwell and defeated the Panthers by the score of 10-2. Then on April 30, Valley played a home game versus Granby Memorial and took 9-7 defeat against the Bears.
Boys’ Golf
The Valley Regional boys’ golf team played one match last week when the Warriors hosted Portland at the Black Hall Club on April 28. The Warriors took a 164-218 defeat to the Highlanders to move to 1-4 for the spring season.