MONROE, CT — Masuk High’s softball team sandwiched a 28-1 drubbing of visiting Stratford (in a five-inning, mercy-rule blowout) with a pair of tough tests.
The Panthers passed the first one shutting out previously unbeaten non-conference foe RHAM 2-0 at home on April 19.
Next in this stretch of four games in as many days is a visit to FCIAC standout St. Joseph of Trumbull, unbeaten in state play and which has lost only to a pair of squads from New Jersey. The St. Joe’s game is Thursday, April 21, at 4 p.m. Then comes a visit to South-West Conference opponent New Fairfield, Friday, April 22, at 4:15 p.m.
Against RHAM, which was 6-0 coming in, Masuk pitcher Kathryn Gallant struck out 11 and allowed just two singles.
Ella Bunovsky, Izzy Viglione, Julia Bacoulis and Ava Morretti all had key hits in the shutout win.
Masuk jumped out to a 9-0 lead in the first inning against Stratford. The Panthers banged out 20 hits and capitalized on six Stratford errors.
With an opportunity for Coach Leigh Barone to use her reserves, it was a complete team effort. Bacoulis, a freshman, got the start and struck out 10 batters. She allowed just one hit a single off the bat of Shyan Rolle. Megan Wendland drove in the lone Stratford run. Masuk improved to 6-1 overall.
Natalie Lieto went 1-for-2 with a double. Bunovsky went 2-for-2 with two doubles and two RBI. Aubrey Zvovushe-Ramos went 2-for-3 with a double, a single and
two RBIs. Viglione went 2-for-2 with a double, a single and an RBIs. Bacoulis had a double and three RBIs. Alyssa Castillo and Madison Aguirre both went 2-for-3 with a single, a double, and three RBIs. Sofia Lieto went 2-for-2 with a single, a double and two RBIs. Bella Caramanica went 1-for-3 with a single and two RBIs.
Kat Gallant, Emma West-Testo, Angela King, Moretti and Elise Graham each had singles.
The football-like score was a nice break in the midst of a challenging stretch. Prior to the RHAM game, the Panthers had a tough one against Fitch, a 3-2 victory. Actually, thus far, the only other lopsided outcome were an 8-0 blanking of Immaculate and 19-0 win over Kolbe Cathedral. Masuk also had a 2-0 loss to Fairfield Ludlowe and 2-0 win over Fairfield Warde in battles with two strong FCIAC squads.
The tough matchups, including what is anticipated to be a challenging one at St. Joe’s, should help prepare Masuk for the games that matter most — in the conference and state tournaments — Barone believes.
Masuk mustered five hits to overcome the RHAM’s Hadley Marchand and the Panthers expect a tough matchup with St. Joe’s pitcher Lauren Wasikowski.
“It’ll be good for us. We’ve got a young team,” Masuk’s coach said. “When you’re in those tournaments that’s the pitching you’re going to see.”
