MONROE, Conn. — Masuk High’s softball team opened the season with a 12-7 win over visiting Norwich Free Academy, a great start for the lineup and first-year Head Coach Emily Woznick.
Grace Ely stepped up to pitch and recorded eight strikeouts. Ely also did damage at the plate, knocking in her 100th career RBI with a double that drove in Peyton Webb in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Josie Lieto had a great day, going 4-for-4, with two singles, a double, and a home run with four runs batted in. Peyton Webb added two hits, a walk and two stolen bases. Ciena Perpetuo had two hits and a pair of RBIs, and Ava Parente had three hits and started the momentum of the inning in which Masuk broke the game open.
Masuk had an overall team effort and did not commit an error.
The Panthers are looking for continued success.
“The team is eager to get started after putting in significant work during the offseason and is determined to make an impact this year,” Woznick said before preseason concluded this past week. “With a very young roster, achieving our goals will require hard work, strong communication and sacrifice. We aim to uphold the competitive tradition that Masuk softball has historically demonstrated, while preparing our team for success in the playoffs.”
Masuk has won seven straight state championships and has appeared in eight straight conference championship games.
The Panthers are led by their captains, Ely, a senior shortstop/pitcher and Perpetuo, a junior center fielder.
Lieto, a sophomore, was Masuk’s starting right fielder last year but also can play corner infield. Sophomore pitcher Mary Saunders, infielder/outfielder Julianna Falcone; sophomore second baseman Peyton Webb; and sophomore outfielder Gianna Moretti are other key players back in the lineup.
Notable games the Panthers are looking forward to this season are: Amity, Brookfield, Newtown, New Milford, Southington and Foran.
Masuk is going for its third straight South-West Conference title having beaten Brookfield last year and Newtown the previous spring.
“I am incredibly excited to take over the Masuk softball program and build on the strong tradition that has already been established,” Woznick said. “It is an honor to work with such dedicated student-athletes, and I look forward to helping them grow both on and off the field. I am eager to bring energy, commitment and a competitive mindset as we begin this next chapter together.”
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