MONROE, CT — Masuk High’s softball team improved to 3-0 with a pair of nonconference wins in as many days, crushing visiting Fairfield Warde 13-0 in a five-inning mercy-rule contest on Friday, then beating Waterford 4-1 on the road Saturday.
Against Warde, a combination of walks and Warde errors opened the door to the Panthers getting out to a 4-0 lead through two innings.
And then it was time for Masuk’s long ball display.
Natalie Lieto smacked a three-run homer for a 7-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth, Madison Agguire followed Julia Bacoulis’ double to left with a smash over the wall for a 9-0 lead.
In the fifth, Bacoulis ended it mercifully with a grand slam. All three of Masuk’s homers were to left field.
A walk to Ava Moretti, single by Julianna Falcone and walk by Lieto loaded the bases ahead of the Bacoulis bomb.
“We had a good mix of offense with the long ball and putting the ball in play and making things happen,” Masuk Coach Leigh Barone said.
Bacoulis supported her own cause at the plate since she was also the Panther pitcher, striking out 11 and allowing just one hit in her five innings of work. Bacoulis changed speeds to keep the Warde batters off balance.
“She really trusts her defense as well,” Barone said.
Against Waterford, the Panthers were in a bit of a battle but did seize the lead early, striking for three runs in the top of the first.
Bacoulis allowed only two hits and walked three. She also fanned nine batters in another dominant effort.
In the first inning Natalie Lieto was hit by a pitch, Bacoulis walked and Sofia Lieto had a sacrifice bunt ahead of Grace Ely’s homer — yet another one to left field.
Sofia Lieto singled in the top of the sixth to drive in Natalie Lieto. Alyssa Castillo, Moretti, Bacoulis, Natalie Lieto and Danielle Dube each collected one hit.
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