Grace Whitmore and Max Nylen were selected as RHAM High School’s Scholar-Athletes of the Year. 
 
Seniors Grace Whitmore and Max Nylen were selected as RHAM High School’s Scholar-Athletes of the Year for the 2022-2023 school year. 
           
The Scholar-Athlete Program annually recognizes two high school seniors from each member high school of the Connecticut Association of Schools/Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CAS/CIAC) whose academic and athletic careers have been exemplary, whose personal standards and achievements are a model to others, and who possess high levels of integrity, self-discipline and courage.
           
The pair was honored at the 40th annual Scholar-Athlete Awards Banquet at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington on May 7.
           
Whitmore Sets Standard of Excellence
           
Whitmore was also a two-sport captain, leading the way on soccer fields and basketball courts, and earning multiple Central Connecticut Conference (CCC) All-Academic honors.
           
She was selected all-conference for her play on the soccer fields as a senior, captaining the team as a defensive midfielder and playing every minute of every game under first year under head coach Matt Cameron. 
           
“She never came out of any game,” recalled Cameron. “That says a lot about her and she helped lay a marker in terms of setting really high standards for next year’s group and those beyond.”
           
Cameron added that Whitmore’s demeanor allowed the other players on the team to shine, referring to her as “the perfect leader” and an “A+ kid.”
           
“She was super selfless, extremely humble. It’s not a guarantee that you get someone like her every year” stated Cameron, whose tenure started with 10 losses in the first 11 games before the team rebounded by finishing 3-1-1 down the stretch.  
           
“It took us a long time to get grounded this year and we didn’t settle in until well into the season,” recalled Cameron. “Our results turned around dramatically and our believer turned around dramatically. We would have never been able to do that without Grace.”
           
Whitmore was also a volunteer youth soccer coach in Hebron.
           
On the basketball courts, she the starting point guard and led the Raptors is assists –– dishing out over four per game –– as the team 13 regular season games and qualified for the state tournament.  
           
Whitmore will attend Providence college and study nursing.
           
Record-Breaking Running Back
           
Nylen was a two-sport captain, playing both football and baseball, and earning multiple Central Connecticut Conference (CCC) All-Academic honors.
           
He etched his name in the history books on the gridiron, breaking the program’s record for most all-purpose touchdowns. This past fall he scored 24 touchdowns — including a record eight in one game — and rushed for over 1,500 yards as the Raptors qualified for the playoffs for the first time in the history of the program.
           
RHAM”s football head coach Dakota Fleming said that Nylen was “like having a coach on the field.”
           
“Max is a great kid, he deserves the scholar-athlete award,” added Fleming. “It was a pleasure to coach him and I wish him the best as he moves on with his life.”
           
After losing his sophomore season because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nylen literally hit the ground running as the Raptors main ball carrier during junior season, making all-conference in each of the last two seasons.  
           
Along with being the team’s main offensive threat, Nylen was a standout in all three phases, playing linebacker on defense and returning kicks on special teams.
           
Fleming, who took over the varsity program during the COVID-year, said Nylen helped him implement his brand of football, saying, “I wouldn’t be the coach I am today without him.”  
           
“He believed in everything we were doing. Even the times when I questioned myself, Max was giving 100% effort in everything we do and teach” added Fleming. “The other players followed his lead.”
           
Nylen is currently wrapping up his senior season on the diamond, playing catcher for a Raptors team that will be playing in the Class L tourney, which starts next week.  
           
​Following graduation, Nylen will attend Bryant College and study business.
           
 
 

Seniors Nate Ireland and Jordan Murphy were selected as East Hampton High School’s Scholar-Athletes of the Year for the 2022-2023 school year. 

The Scholar-Athlete Program annually recognizes two high school seniors from each member high school of the Connecticut Association of Schools/Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CAS/CIAC) whose academic and athletic careers have been exemplary, whose personal standards and achievements are a model to others, and who possess high levels of integrity, self-discipline and courage.

The pair was honored at the 40th annual Scholar-Athlete Awards Banquet at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington on May 7.

Ireland Leads the Way

Ireland did a little of everything at East Hampton High School, starring on the basketball courts and competing on the cross-country trails and track during the other two athletic seasons. 

This past winter on the hardwood, he earned All-Shoreline Conference Honorable Mention after averaging a double-double (10+ points, 10+ rebounds), serving as the team’s frontcourt presence and team captain as the Bellringers made the state tournament for a second consecutive season, winning a total of 23 games over the last two seasons.  

East Hampton boys basketball head coach John Antolini called Ireland a “true leader” and praised him for his approach to the game.    

“He plays the right way,” added Antolini. “He plays unselfishly, respects his teammates, plays hard, and most importantly, has fun.”
Along with playing basketball at the high school for three years, Ireland also made a name as a distance runner, competing for the cross-country team for three years and a member of the outdoor track team the past two springs. 

Antolini added that Ireland was deserving of the award, stating, “His attitude and the example he sets is contagious and his teammates thrive off the way he plays and the example he sets on and off the court. I look forward to hearing about his successes for years to come.” 

Ireland will attend Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 

Murphy Leaves Championship Legacy

Murphy was a four year member for the volleyball, basketball, and outdoor track teams, helping bring home state championships in all three sports. 

This past school year, she was a captain for all three teams and has been an all-conference selection in all three sports. 

On the volleyball courts, Murphy was a two-time all-state recipient and was named the Class M tournament’s Most Valuable Player her senior year as the Bellringers captured the program’s first state championship this past November. 

East Hampton volleyball coach Molly Grabowski said that Murphy is an outstanding athlete, yet it’s the intangibles that make her special, stating, “her work ethic is second to none.” 

“She comes to practice every day ready to give 100%,” added Murphy. “She is self -disciplined and constantly looking to make herself better.  She also has a great deal of mental toughness.”

Grabowski added that Murphy played varsity since her freshman season and grew into a leader by setting an example on a daily basis.  

“She walks the walk and this drives her teammates to want to be there with her,” stated Grabowski. “Jordan has developed into an athlete who leads her team demonstrating an outstanding skillset, attitude, work ethic, discipline, and enthusiasm for the sport.”

Following the volleyball title, Murphy was the only senior starter and team captain for a Bellringers basketball team that won the program’s first state title since 1980.

Over her four years on the basketball team, the Bellringers captured four straight Shoreline Conference (SLC) championships. 

She is currently finishing up her senior season in outdoor track where she helped the program win a state title in 2021.
Murphy will attend University of Hartford where she will be a member of the Hawks track and field team in West Hartford

Grabowski said no matter what sport Murphy continues to play, she will be successful, adding “She will prove to be an asset and an integral part of any college program and for any sport she decides to pursue, because that’s Jordan.”

Here are the Rivereast Standouts of the Week for the week of May 15 - 21:
           
Maddox Burton - Bacon Academy High School (Lacrosse): Burton had a record-breaking week, becoming the all-time assist leader and then setting the record for career points with the program. Burton, a senior, set a new assist mark during an 18-5 win over Killingly when she scored a season-high 11 points, scoring five goals and dishing out six helpers on May 17. The following night, she tallied nine more points (three goals, six assists) to set a new points mark in a home win over Fitch, extending the Bobcats winning streak to eight games.    
           
Aiden Niderno - East Hampton High School (Track and Field): Niderno took first place and set a personal-best mark in both the high jump and long jump at the League Meet #5 in Clinton. Niderno, a freshman, cleared 5’ 8” in the high jump and then covered 19 ‘9.75” in the long jump as the Bellringers won the tri-meet, defeating Coginchaug (77.75-62.25) and Morgan (104.67-30.33).
           
Josh Hannah - Portland High School (Baseball): Hannah connected on a pair of doubles, driving in three runs and scoring two more as the Highlanders knocked off East Hampton 13-3 at Palmer Field on May 17. The 13 runs were a season-high for Portland, who also got three hits and three runs from Austin Vess, and another three hits from Ethan Krasniewski. The win also avenged a 9-2 loss to the Bellringers from April 20. 
           
Chase Massey (Baseball) – RHAM High School (Baseball: Massey pitched a gem, throwing seven scoreless innings and striking out 10 as the RHAM blanked East Hampton 3-0 on May 15. Massey, a senior, did the damage from the mound and the Raptors’ bats provided insurance runs early, scoring all three runs over the first three innings. Ethan Polochanin provided the highlight when he drove in a pair of runs on a double, scoring Fayz Baig and Camden McPeck in the third inning. 
           
To nominate someone as an Athlete of the Week, or to offer sports-related comments, email [email protected] 

Jaelyn Gonzalez - Newington High School (Softball): Gonzalez had a memorable and productive week, connecting on a total of 12 hits as the team won four games and she surpassed the 100-hit mark on Senior Night. Gonzalez, a senior, started the week with a three-hit, three-run, three-RBI performance in a win over Avon on the team’s Senior Night. She followed it up by driving in five runs in consecutive games, both wins over East Catholic and Platt. The Nor’easters closed the regular season with a 10-5 win over Wethersfield, finishing with a record of 15-5.     
           
Wil Bankowski – Wethersfield High School (Lacrosse): Bankowski scored his 200th career goal during the team’s Senior Night, a 17-14 victory over Canton on May 19. Bankowski, a senior, is powering a potent offense for an Eagles team that finished the regular season with a record of 13-2, winning their final four games.   
           
Olivia Lusitani - Cromwell High School (Tennis): Lusitani polished off a remarkable regular season by winning 13 of 15 of her individual matches, serving as the team’s No. 2 singles player. She was also was victorious in her only doubles match this spring, finishing with an overall record of 14-2. Lusitani, a senior, was also a team leader on a Panthers squad that finished the regular season 9-7, making the state tournament as a team for a second straight season.  
           
Raghav Jaiswal - Rocky Hill High School (Tennis): Jaiswal rallied to defeat Newington’s Bryce Mayo (3-6, 6-4, 11-9) in the No. 1 singles match as the Terriers edged the Nor’easters (4-3) on May 15. Jaiswal, a sophomore, was one of three Terriers — joining Parth Gohil and Nate Corcoran — to win singles matches. Rocky Hill’s doubles team of William Aube and Pranav Iyer also rallied to win (4-6, 6-4, 10-5) to preserve the victory.
           
​Paddy Brown – Newington High School (Lacrosse): Brown scored four goals and dished out an assist as the Nor’easters took down Rocky Hill 18-3 on May 11. Brown, a senior captain, led an offense that also got multiple goals from Kyle Bross (4), Aiden Bengston (3), James Smith (2), and Davide Sulmicelli (2). After losing their first four games this spring, the win over the Terriers was Newington’s sixth win in nine games.
            To nominate someone as an Athlete of the Week or with sports-related comments, email [email protected]
 

GHS softball seniors Molly Doherty, Rayah Snyder, and Natalie Lessard helped guide the Guardians to a dozen wins in the regular season this spring.

Glastonbury High School’s softball team shook off a Senior Night loss to RHAM last Wednesday, rebounding with a convincing 14-7 victory over Simsbury to close the regular season with a dozen wins.
           
Before losing 5-2 to RHAM, seniors Molly Doherty, Rayah Snyder, and Natalie Lessard were honored and, following the disappointing defeat, the trio was eager to put the performance behind them.
           
Doherty said starting quicker and remaining positive was the key to turning the corner. 
           
“If we get our energy going, we get our bats going,” added Doherty. “We had a good game against Newington and that is because the whole time we were up against the fence and we were having fun.” 
           
RHAM senior Hadley Marchand pitched a complete-game, striking out ten to preserve a 5-2 victory.
           
Trailing 5-0, Snyder got two back when she doubled to center, sending home Taylor Page and Lessard. 
           
But the Guardians managed only two hits the rest of the way. 
           
Snyder said the team is at their best when they are focused on the same goal, adding, “It’s a mix of relying on yourself and relying on the team. Know that you can get the job done, but also know that the people behind you can get the job done just the same.”
           
Head coach Karen Costes noted the team has struggled to find “timely hits” in the losses, stranding a total of 16 runners on base in team’s last two defeats (RHAM and Windsor) of the regular season.
           
Those timely hits showed up against Simsbury, as the Guardian scattered a total of 14 hits and scored five runs in the fourth inning to pull away from the Trojans at GHS last Friday.
           
Lessard connected on four hits, scoring three runs, and junior Lily Woodworth drove in four runs on three hits to lead the Guardians offensive explosion. It was the ninth time this spring the team scored 10 or more runs in a game.  
           
The win over Simsbury also marked the senior’s final regular season game at GHS. 
           
It’s a group that lost their initial high school season due to the Covid-19 cancellation and enters the state tournament knowing that each game could be their last. 
           
“It’s important that you take every moment and don’t take it for granted,” stated Lessard. “We lost our freshman year, so we never know what’s going to happen. We have to make sure we are ready.”
           
Costes said despite losing a year of high school experience, the three seniors “hit the ground running” as sophomores, each playing roles on the varsity team over the past three springs.
           
“They didn’t make any excuses and they learned everything they could,” added Costes. “They all have an ability to learn things quickly and they appreciate that any minute you don’t know when your last game could be. They certainly have a better appreciation for that.” 
           
Snyder, a University of Connecticut softball commit, has been a captain since the first day she stepped onto the field at GHS as a sophomore. 
           
Following back-to-back all-state seasons at shortstop, Snyder is well on her way to a third all-state selection and said her and the other two seniors have preached to the younger players the importance of taking advantage of the here and now.  
           
“We stressed that every moment, every pitch we need to give 110%,” added Snyder. “Your senior year comes faster than you think.”
           
With the regular season in the rear view mirror, the team now sets their sights on the Class LL tournament that starts next week. 
           
Costes said the team has all the tools to compete in the tourney, now it’s about maintaining consistency and keeping the right mindset. 
           
“I put a lot of stock into the mental aspect of this game,” stated Costes. “Mechanically we are good enough, but we have to be mentally tough. When we’re not successful, we have to be mentally tough enough to bounce back.” 
           
For the seniors, the state tourney is the final chance to represent the program they’ve sacrificed for and leave an impression on the next generation of Guardians. 
           
“It’s weird because I am leaving the sport behind, so I am trying to get [the younger players] to want it more because when you’re younger you don’t realize how little time you have,” stated Doherty, who will attend Michigan State University.
           
Lessard called the team a “close-knit group”, adding, “When we get the energy up, it’s a fun atmosphere.”
           
​Check ciacsports.com for a complete list state tournament schedules and results.

GHS senior tennis players (from left) Emma Miller, Norah Andersson Orth, and Saanvi Bethi were celebrated prior to the team sweeping Northwest Catholic last Wednesday.   

After celebrating three seniors, the Glastonbury High School girls tennis team won all seven matches against Northwest Catholic on May 17.

It was the final regular season home match for seniors Norah Andersson Orth, Emma Miller, and Saanvi Bethi.

Prior to the competition, the younger players presented the trio of seniors with Senior Boxes, decorated vessels filled with various objects tailored towards each senior.

The departing gift boxes have become an annual tradition for the program. 

“It’s so sweet to see the effort they put into,” a smiling Andersson Orth expressed. 

After losing their freshman year to the Covid-19 cancellation, each of the seniors became major contributors the last three springs for a team that won 43 of 48 matches in the regular season during that time span.

With their high school playing days nearing an end, the seniors admitted they are feeling melancholy.

“It’s sad. We were talking today about how it’s ending,” said Anderson Orth. 

After playing doubles a year ago, Andersson Orth has served as the team’s No. 1 singles player this year.

Miller was promoted to the team’s No. 2 singles player this spring after playing in the four-spot last year. 

“It’s been different being a captain and a leader and it’s a lot of work, but we’ve made such great relationships with everyone,” stated Miller. “It’s been a really good experience; it’s a great team.” 

Bethi, who primarily played doubles, added, “I’ve spent a lot more time this year hanging out with all the members of the team and we’ve done a lot of team bonding.”

Against Northwest Catholic, the Guardians were nearly flawless on the court, winning every match decisively. 

Andersson Orth defeated Megan Miller (6-2, 6-1), Elliot Fitch bested Rebekah Aldrich (6-0, 6-1), Samantha Riccardi beat Isabel O’Toole (6-3, 6-1), and Bethi breezed by Elise Reneson (6-0, 6-1) to take the four singles matches.
In doubles, the GHS duos teams continued to dominate with Leila Azimov / Sarah Zhang winning (6-1, 6-0), Kiley Gallagher / Kate
Qian winning (6-2, 6-0), and Anabelle Rosenbush / Natalie Lamb sweeping (6-0, 6-0).

Two nights later, the team closed the regular season with a road victory over Simsbury, finishing with a record of 13-4
Next up is the Class LL tourney starting this Friday (May 26). 

Following the conclusion of the season, the graduating seniors will spread across the world. 

Andersson Orth will continue her education in her birth country of Sweden, saying, “I’m a little bit scared. It’s a big move, but I’m excited.”  

Miller will continue her playing tennis at Western New England University where she will become a member of the Golden Bears in Springfield, Mass. 

“It’s starting to hit a little bit; it’s definitely sad,” Miller said about moving on from GHS. “I’ve known a lot of these girls since I was little, so it’s going to be a big adjustment.”

Bethi, who will attend Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) where she plans to play club tennis in Atlanta, said it’s the people in the program that make the GHS program so successful.      

“I will miss these girls,” said Bethi. “Every time we come to practice everyone brings all their energy and it’s always a lot of fun.”
Miller added, “I will miss it a lot. We are all there for each other and I think that is what I’ve really enjoyed.”

​Check ciacsports.com for a complete list state tournament schedules and results. 

Following a slow start, Wethersfield softball seniors Maddie Gove, Bella Tomaino, and Victoria McGrath have helped the Eagles turn the season around.

Wethersfield’s Alyssa Pericello rose to the occasion at the most important times last Monday night. 

Pericello pitched a complete-game shutout and connected on a clutch hit in the sixth inning as the Eagles edged Rocky Hill 1-0 at WHS on May 15.

It marked the Eagles eighth straight win and avenged a loss to the Terriers from earlier this spring.

“We were ready; we knew we could win today,” said Pericello, who had seven strikeouts.
 
Head coach Colleen Budaj said that Pericello has developed more “poise” this season, adding her junior ace has a great rapport with sophomore catcher Kathryn St. Andrew.

“They have a trust in each other and that is an important piece,” Budaj said of the pitcher-catcher duo. 

With the game scoreless in the bottom of the sixth, Pericello tripled after sending a shot to left field. Freshman Emma Komanetsky then laid down a bunt, sending home Pericello on a perfectly-executed squeeze. 

“I knew we needed it and seeing that pitch I was so excited for it,” expressed Pericello, who proceeded to retired three straight batters in the top of the seventh innings to close the game. 

Senior captain Bella Tomaino put the finishing touches on the victory by nabbing a straight shot down the third base line for the final out. 

Tomaino said this victory meant a little extra. 

“I was very emotional. I just wanted to finish this thing out, especially after losing to them in the first game.” stated Tomaino, who
shared an embrace with Budaj following the win. “After everything that happened this season, I was happy to get this one.”

The Eagles started the season by losing five of six games, capped by a 7-1 loss to Rocky Hill on April 21. 

Budaj noted a night and day difference between her team from early-April until now.

“In the beginning of the season we weren’t challenging teams, we just weren’t putting the ball in play,” added Budaj. “Now we’re putting the ball in play at the right times.”

Budaj’s husband and assistant coach Steve Budaj said that vacations, illnesses, and injuries set the team back early in the season, adding, “We finally got everybody back and got rolling.”

The Budajs have leaned on Tomaino, Maddie Gove, and Victoria McGrath — the team’s three seniors — to help navigate the Eagles through the early struggles.

Following the 1-5 start, the win over Rocky Hill was the Eagles 10th win in 11 games. 
   
“Honestly I think it’s just about buying-in,” said Tomaino. “It’s just about adapting to the program and the people around you and just getting used to it, and eventually meshing and rolling throughout the season.”

With the Class L state tournament starting next week, the Eagles head into the postseason with a renewed sense of confidence. 

“It feels good; it’s all about peaking at the right time,” added Tomaino. “It’s not about how you start, it’s how you finish. Hopefully we can get a good seed going into the tournament and make some noise.” 

*Terriers Turns Toward States*

Following a 1-0 defeat at Wethersfield High School, Rocky Hill softball head coach Will Ramos said it was important to “turn the page” following the team’s second straight loss.

The Terriers stranded seven runners on base, including three in the second inning.

“We just have to start hitting again. Right now we are in a funk and unfortunately it’s at the wrong time,” added Ramos. “We are on that downward slope and [the players] just have to believe in themselves. We have a lot more softball to play.” 

In the top of the second inning, the Terriers loaded the bases, but two straight outs ended the team’s best threat.

Rocky Hill again had runners in scoring position in four of the next five innings but came away empty each time. 

Prior to the Wethersfield loss, the Terriers suffered a 3-1 defeat at Middletown and Ramos said the frustrating part is that he knows what the team is capable of after seeing his team score six or more runs in nine games this season. 

“We just have to get these bats going,” added Ramos, who said the current slump doesn’t resemble his team from early in the season. “They were aggressive at the plate and the same thing on defense. Offensively we were making a ton more contact and we were producing runs when we needed to produce runs. Right now we are stuck.”

In spite of the troubles at the plate, senior pitcher Shauna Kehoe has been a constant on the mound for the Terriers.

Kehoe struck out seven in the loss to Wethersfield, allowing only four hits. 

After graduating an influential senior class that included three players now playing college softball, Ramos said that Kehoe has stepped into more of a leadership role, calling her the “glue” of the team.

“She keeps us together,” added the second-year head coach. “She can only play one position and she is doing that really well.”
Following a 16-2 loss to Maloney on May 17, the Terriers rebounded by winning their regular season finale, defeating New Britain at

Rocky Hill High School to wrap up the regular season with a record of 12-8.

Next up is the Class M state tourney, starting next week.  

Check ciacsports.com for a complete list of schedules and results. 

Rocky Hill senior Shauna Kehoe has once again been the team’s ace this spring.

RHAM senior Hadley Marchand pitches at Bacon Academy during the Raptors 11-2 victory over the Bobcats on May 11.

An eight-run second inning sparked the RHAM High School softball team, leading to an 11-2 victory over Bacon Academy on May 11.

The win was the Raptors ninth this spring and snapped a four-game losing skid. 

After going three-up and three-down in the first inning, RHAM head coach Raymond Bell said the team settled in and began to deliver from the plate

“We adjusted a little bit better to the speed and sometimes it takes an at-bat to get used to it,” added Bell.  

Senior Linnea Carlson bookended the second-inning scoring party, crossing home plate for the first and eighth runs during the decisive frame.

Carlson connected on a short bloop to shallow right field to reach first base before Abigail Pace doubled, sending Carlson home.
Once the floodgates opened, the Raptors poured it on. 

Pace scored following a double from Mya Strumskas and Zoe Albert, Shannon McCarthy, Kristen Cieslowski, and Stella Boutilier each reached home before Carlson notched her second run.

Bell stressed the importance of the team getting hits early in the game, particularly coming off four straight losses where they scored a combined nine runs. 

“It was huge because this team has been struggling lately and because we’ve played some really strong opponents and our morale was a little down,” added Bell, whose team connected on a dozen hits in the game. “Getting eight runs in the second eased that anxiety a little bit.”

Senior standout Hadley Marchand pitched three scoreless innings, striking out four to earn win No. 9.

Bell said Marchand has maintained an even-keeled demeanor and a team-first attitude whether the team is struggling through a losing streak or controlling the game like they did against Bacon. 

Marchand, an Endicott College commit, expressed that the team spoke about putting the past four games behind them prior to the game against Bacon.

“We had lost a few games in a row and we were looking for redemption in this game,” stated Marchand, who was relieved after the team built a sizable lead.  

Junior Faith Chanski pitched three innings and sophomore Evelyn Lage was on the hill for the final inning, combining to face the final 19 batters.  

Bell stated that it’s nice to see his young arms getting experience, adding that it’s a luxury to have competition heading into next year. 

Marchand, who has been the team’s ace for the better part of the last three years, said she has enjoyed taking on more on a mentorship this spring and said it was “awesome” to see Chanski and Lage close out the game  

“I love seeing them excel,” added Marchard. “I’m tired; I’ve been pitching all week and I just try and help them as much as I can.”

With an eight-run lead, RHAM ended any doubt of a comeback by adding two more runs in the third inning as Cieslowski single to send home McCarthy and later scored following a hit from Ashley Perkins. 

Perkins, who had a team-high three hits, later made it 11-0 by stealing home in the fifth inning. 

Carlson, McCarthy, and Cieslowski each scored twice, while Cieslowski drove in a game-high three runs. 

The complete team effort was a welcome sign for Bell, who was not only happy that the team’s bats were connecting again, but also stated he was impressed with the team’s stellar defensive effort as the Raptors didn’t commit an error.     

  “We’ve been in a lot of close games lately that haven’t gone our way, so that was nice to see,” stated Bell. “In the tourney you have to make every play, so we really stress defense a lot. If you want to advance in one-run games, you have to play good defensively.” 
The night following the win over Bacon, the Raptors earned win No. 10 with a 13-2 victory over Manchester. 

Marchand pitched six solid innings and shined from the plate, driving in four runs on a pair of hits. 

Carlson scored three times on a trio of hits. 

Marchand and Carlson are Bell’s two captains on the field. 

Bell referred to Carlson as the team’s “emotional leader”, adding that she is “the spark plug” that keeps the Raptors going.
The Raptors are now preparing for the postseason with the Central Connecticut Conference (CCC) tournament and the Class M state tourney starting latest his month.    

​Bell noted that confidence and consistency from the plate, combined with continuing to play mistake-free in the field, will be the key in the tournaments. 

Bacon Academy junior Jazlyn Small-Yu catches a pop fly as senior teammate Trinity Georgens and RHAM’s Natalie Assunto look on last Thursday at Bacon Academy.   

Bacon Academy softball battled RHAM until the final out last Thursday, showcasing a fight and effort that made head coach Anna Dipierro proud.

“We’re a young team, but they never give up,” stated Dipierro. “They keep their heart in the game and do the best they can.”

Following an eight-run second innings by RHAM, the Bobcats staved off defeat in the fifth inning by scoring a pair of runs to avoid the mercy rule and extend the game for the home crowd at Bacon Academy. 

Down 11-0 and facing two outs in the bottom of the bottom of the fifth, junior Jazlyn Small-Yu tripled on a deep shot to left field, scoring Natalia Vernali. On the next at-bat, senior Trinity Georgens connected on a short fly to the gap in left field, scoring Small-Yu to extend the game. 

Small-Yu, a junior, connected on a team-high three hits—including a pair of triples.

Dipierro said Small-Yu has been outstanding from the plate and called her the “backbone” of the defense, adding the versatile shortstop is even better than she was last spring when she was an Eastern Connecticut Conference (ECC) All-Star selection as a sophomore.

Through the team’s first 14 games, Small-Yu leads the Bobcats in hits, runs, and RBIs, also accounting for three of the team’s four home runs.  

“She has been amazing,” added Dipierro. “She plays like a senior.”

The veteran coach also complimented her only two seniors, Georgens and Ava McCarvill, for accepting the captain’s role and leading the young team on field through a season in which the Bobcats have suffered multiple losing streaks. 

“They have stepped up as leaders of the team and they are always bringing the girls up when things aren’t going that well,” stated Dipierro. “They always have positive attitudes no matter if we are winning or losing, and they support each other.”

Following the 11-2 loss to RHAM and a 16-0 defeat at Woodstock Academy, the Bobcats bounced back with a 13-1 win over New London at Bacon Academy on Monday. 

McCarvill shined, connecting on four hits to drive in four runs and score three more. 

Junior pitcher Samantha D’Atri posted her best all-around outing of the season, striking out nine in six innings of work from the mound and scoring four runs from the plate. 

The hard-throwing righty has been steady for the Bobcats and Dipierro praised her reliable pitcher for being dependability from both the hill and in the batter’s box. 

The win over New London improved the Bobcats to 3-13 and snapped a five-game losing skid. 

Dipierro, who has been coaching the program for nearly three decades, noted that the goal is to eventually get the program back into the state tournament where the Bobcats last made it in 2014.  

Bacon has three straight home games left, starting with Bolton today (May 19) at 4:00 p.m. They close by hosting a double-header against Windham, scheduled for Saturday, May 20 with first pitches scheduled for 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at Bacon Academy.  

Here are the Rivereast Standouts of the Week for the week of May 8 – 14:
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Alex Gallardo - Bacon Academy (Golf): Gallardo shot a 79 during an 18-hole tournament at the Fisher’s Island Club earlier this month. Gallardo, a junior, then shot a 41 against Plainfield at Foster Country Club in Rhode Island before posting consecutive solid scores in home matches at Chanticlair Golf Course, scoring a 39 against Windham/ Parish Hill and a 41 against Waterford.
           
Ben Dalton and Harrison Moorecroft - RHAM High School (Tennis): Dalton and Moorecroft swept the No. 1 doubles match, blanking Shain Gonzalez and Alex Huntley (6-0, 6-0) as the Raptors defeated Bristol Eastern (4-3). Dalton and Moorecroft, both seniors, were one of a pair of doubles teams that won, joining Ryan Eaton and Trevor Hooker, who also won (6-0, 6-0) in straight sets. No. 4 singles player Luke Schomer defeated Robbie Beveridge (6-0, 6-0) as the Raptors won their third match as a team this spring.
           
Olivia DeMartino - East Hampton (Softball): DeMartino drove in four runs on three hits as the Bellringers defeated Morgan 9-2 on May 12. DeMartino, a sophomore, led an offensive unit that scored six runs in the second inning and never looked back. Madison Reola, Sophia Long, and Neha Sidana each scored twice for the Bellringers and sophomore pitcher Allison Jacobsen went seven solid innings from the mound to pick up the win.
           
Kyle Guibord - Portland High School (Track and Field): Guibord won the 110 meter hurdles and the 300 meter hurdles, setting personal-best times in both, at the League No. 4 Meet that featured host North Branford and Old Saybrook on May 8. Guibord, a senior, ran a 19.4 in the 110 meter hurdles to beat runner-up Elliot Hurdis (20.7) of Old Saybrook and then ran a 48.2 to edge North Branford’s Ryan Chasanoff (49.9) in the 300 meters.
           
​To nominate someone as an Athlete of the Week or with sports-related comments, email [email protected]