MONROE, CT — An abbreviated perfect game followed by another shutout win, highlighted by a grand slam, has the Masuk High softball team in the Class L State Tournament semifinals.
No. 1 Masuk had a bye, then trounced No. 17 RHAM 17-0 in the second round on Wednesday, a four-and-a-half inning mercy-rule effort, before blanking No. 9 E.O. Smith 11-0 in the quarterfinals on Friday.
Masuk will take on No. 5 St. Joseph of Trumbull in the semifinals on Monday or Tuesday (time and location to be determined).
Against E.O. Smith, the Panthers led just 1-0 in the sixth inning before erupting for 10 runs to put the game out of reach.
Grace Ely broke the game open. With Masuk holding a 2-0 lead, she smacked a grand slam over the center field fence. The hits and runs kept coming. Ciena Perpetuo, Josie Lieto and Aubrey Zvovushe-Ramos all had run-producing hits to push the lead to double digits again.
Pitcher Julia Bacoulis allowed only one hit and struck out 14 batters in Masuk’s second state playoff victory.
In the previous win, over RHAM, Bacoulis retired all 15 batters she faced, striking out 11 of them.
Bacoulis also homered and doubled. Josie Lieto hit a double and drove in two runs. Sophia Lieto and Bacoulis each knocked in three runs.
Zvovushe-Ramos, Alexa Castillo and Ely each had hits and two runs scored.
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