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04/22/2024 10:12 AMSoftball
The Branford softball team hosted North Haven on April 15 and fell 20-1. Ellie Brown, Mikenna Leigh, and Madelaine Aguilar each recorded a hit for the Hornets. Tatum Lipka pitched three innings and gave up 10 hits and nine earned runs. She also struck out five and walked four batters. Sophia Rasile then pitched two innings and gave up eight hits and nine earned runs. She walked four and struck out two.
On April 16, the team traveled to Lauralton Hall and lost 9-0. Lipka pitched six innings, giving up 11 hits and seven earned runs striking out seven batters.
The next day, the Hornets played host to Hillhouse and won 15-1. Shelby Burnham drove in five of Branford’s runs, and Madigan Lawler drove in two. Also recording an RBI were Chloe Pompano, Payton Paleski, Cheyenne Rose, Aguilar, and Rasile. Lipka pitched one inning and didn’t give up any runs while striking out two. Rasile threw 4.2 innings and gave up three hits and one earned run. She also recorded 10 strikeouts.
North Haven closed out the week on April 19, hosting Mercy and falling 20-1. Burnham, Alyscia Solano, and Rasile all recorded a hit.
Girls’ Outdoor Track
On April 18, Branford girls’ outdoor track hosted Hillhouse and Jonathan Law. The Hornets defeated Law 75-72, and Hillhouse 98-13. Joelle Budz took first in the 100 meters (12.99), and Gloriana Buckley took first in the 200 (27.89). Djamilla Toukour took third place in that event (29.41). Buckley won the 400 (62.25). Violet Marrandino had a first place performance in the 1600 (5:52), and in the 3200 (12:52). Budz claimed second in the 300 hurdles (48.81).
Cheyenne Wilson won the discus with a throw of 70-1, and Zayna Cella won the javelin (78-2). Ella Stone (4’6”) won the high jump, and Stone (16’4.5”) won the long jump. Avery Clouse had a first place finish in the triple jump (31’3.5”).
“This was an excellent team effort, with solid contributions from all areas,” said Head Coach Kevin Connell after the meet.
On April 19 at the Connecticut Distance Festival, Lucy Moran claimed sixth place in the mile in a time of 5:01.37.
The team then competed at the Mongovan Invitational at Bethel on April 20. The 4x400 relay team, comprised of Budz, Toukour, Buckley, and Lucy Moran, came in first with a time of 4:14.63. Clouse took first in the high jump (4’8”), and Budz claimed second in the 300 hurdles (46.12).
Stone finished second in the long jump (16’3’5”), while Buckley took second in the 400 (61.03). Budz (26.11) took third place in the 200, and Cella finished third in the javelin (88’7”).
“Our top athletes really rose today, second meet in three days and they took it up a level,” Connell said. “Very impressed with the overall performance of the team.”
Boys’ Outdoor Track
The Branford boys’ outdoor track team split a home meet this past week, defeating Hillhouse while losing to Jonathan Law on a rainy afternoon at Branford High School. Branford (2-2) defeated Hillhouse 116-18, while falling to Law 90-59.
Senior Enaji Muhammad capped the afternoon’s performance by clearing six feet, six inches in the high jump, which is an outdoor school record. Other first place finishers included junior Tyler Peterson in the javelin with a throw of 123 feet, four inches; junior Justyn Velasquez in the 110 high hurdles in a time of 19.64; junior Nolan Weted in the 800 meters at 2.19; senior Noah Hauswirth in the 3200 meters at 11.05; and Muhammad in the triple jump with a mark of 41 feet, 6½ inches.
“Enaji continues to make strides in the jumps,” Head Coach Bing Miller said. “Not only is he an athlete, but he’s a student of the sport with his training. And today he altered his approach in the high jump and still cleared 6’ 6” in the event. Even more great things await him as the season progresses.”
Muhammad finished second in New England in indoor track in the high jump with a jump of six feet, seven inches.
Miller said the meet was an opportunity for the team to overcome new challenges in the sport, yet continue to improve their performance. An on and off rain in the afternoon, coupled with 40 degree temperature, made for a challenging competitive environment.
Hauswirth, for example, put in a solid effort, Miller explained. He led off the 4X800 relay, ran the 1600, and then capped it off with the 3200, running alone most of the race and improving on his times this season in all three events. Miller called him “one of the gutsier runners” he’s coached.
“So far, I’m really pleased with how the guys responded,” Miller said. “A lot of guys had personal bests. We’ve had some injuries lately, including some today with the cold, but we are still figuring out our identity as a team. We have some good depth in the longer sprints and javelin. We also have some new throwers, including several young guys who I’m hoping will continue to develop.”