Scurto’s Slam Helps Guardians Avenge Conference Loss

Glastonbury senior Sadie Scurto sprints to first after a base hit in the Guardians 8-1 victory over Enfield on April 5

Enfield softball knocked Glastonbury out of the Central Connecticut Conference (CCC) tournament last spring.  
           
In the rematch on April 5, the Guardian flipped the script to open the 2022 season, leaning on a terrific pitching performance from Brooke Tracy and a grand slam from catcher Sadie Scurto to down the visiting Eagles 8-1 at GHS. 
           
Behind solid pitching from Enfield’s all-conference hurler Tiffany Lubanski, Glastonbury fell behind 1-0 in the third inning before scoring eight runs between the fourth and fifth innings to break the game open. 
           
“[Lubanski] is a good pitcher and I knew it would be a challenge if we didn’t figure out the pitching,” Glastonbury head coach Karen Costes said. “I like how we never gave up and we worked at improving every single at-bat.”
           
Lubanski threw four wild pitches in the fourth inning, allowing the Guardians to stack the bases. 
           
Tracy, who started the bottom of the fourth inning with a straight shot to center field, scored following a wild pitch and then Scurto scored on a sacrifice RBI from Gabby Lambert. 
           
With the bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth, Tracy was walked, sending freshman Molly Doherty home. Scurto then put the icing on the cake by cranking a home run to deep left field with the bases loaded, sending home Rayah Snyder, Natalie Lessard, and Tracy.
           
Snyder, who had a pair of triples, said the team couldn’t wait to get another shot against Enfield after last year’s conference defeat. 
           
“We talked about it a lot but we made sure we weren’t in our heads about it. We were just coming back for revenge,” said Snyder, who liked how the team shook off the slow start to finish strong. “We have been working a lot on our mental game and making sure we don’t let those things like that bother us.”
           
Defensively it was a brilliant performance from the Guardians. Tracy struck out a dozen betters and walked only one, allowing only two hits in six innings of work.
           
Tracy, who has committed to pitch at Bryant University next year, said she doesn’t change her approach no matter she is facing, adding, “I’m always just looking to throw strikes and get ahead on the court and not let too many base runners get on.”
           
Senior Molly Edgington, who plays first base, dropped a ball in foul territory in the third inning, leading to Enfield’s only run. 
           
Two innings later, Edgington redeemed herself by making the defensive gem of the night when she snared a hard grounder from Enfield’s Kylie Ringwalt and tagged first base for the first out in the top of the fifth inning. 
           
“She is mentally tough. I knew she was not going to let that ground ball get by her,” Costes said of Edgington. “She has undying enthusiasm for this team. She’s a great kid that will be anything she can for the team.”
           
Scurto’s slam was the icing on an impressive opening victory for the Guardians. The team’s No. 4 hitter finished with a pair of hits and runs to go along with her team-high four RBI.
           
Costes said Scurto is showing the benefits of working in the weight room in the offseason, adding, “She’s just a rock, I’m so happy for her. She is hitting the ball hard, hitting it all over the field, and making good choices.”
           
Lambert relieved Tracy and finished the game on the hill, registering a save and striking out two in the seventh inning. 
           
It was a fantastic start for a team that returned every starter from a season ago when the team advanced to the Class LL quarterfinals, losing to the eventual state champions from Southington. 
           
Costes said she sees a more polished team on the field this year, adding that the sluggish early-inning may have taken the wind out of a less mature team.
           
“Having that entire year of experience and going deep in the tournament gives them the confidence and helps them succeed in those circumstances,” said Costes. “It was a good win. I am happy we came out on top.”
           
Tracy added, “We feel more connected as a team. Last year really gave us a chance to really know how each other plays. This year there is a really good connection between all of us and that is what makes a great team.”