MONROE, CT — A ring ceremony was held for the Masuk Panthers’ Class L State Tournament championship softball team at halftime of the boys basketball team’s win against Kaynor Tech in its home opener Tuesday.
This past spring, the Panthers beat Jonathan Law 3-0 at the University of Connecticut to earn the program’s ninth state trophy overall.
Sophomore, Julia Bacoulis allowed only two hits and threw a complete game shutout with eight strikeouts.
Sofia Lieto was hit by a pitch to start the top of the fourth inning. Grace Ely sacrificed, reached first on an error and advanced Lieto to second. Lieto and Ely then advanced to second and third on a wild pitch.
Madison Aguirre singled on a hit to centerfield and Sofia Lieto and Grace Ely scored to put the Panthers up 2-0.
In the top of the fifth, Izzy Viglione doubled on a line drive to centerfield. Alyssa Castillo bunted her over to third and Viglione scored on a passed ball to add another run for the Panthers.
Julia Bacoulis went 1-for-2 with a line drive to left field and Ella Bunovsky went 2-for-3 with two singles.
It may be Masuk’s fifth state title in the last six years (in 2020 nobody came out on top due to COVID protocol), but this one had as much meaning as any of the others for the coaching staff. And the campaign had a bit of a different feel with Head Coach Leigh Barone away from the team part of the time when she welcomed a new baby into her world.
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