hornets drop Guilford
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By John Steady
Staff Correspondent
Each team had its chance to celebrate during Wednesday's Southern Connecticut Conference Hammonasset Division match up between Branford and Guilford. But it was Branford which had the last celebration.
The Hornets scored four runs in the top of the ninth inning, defeating Guilford, 7-3, at Guilford. The lead changed hands three times in the final two innings.
With the score tied at one heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, things started to get interesting.
Guilford leadoff hitter Tom Schirmacher led off the inning with a walk and moved to third on a Stu Campbell sacrifice and a ground ball to second base by Sean Milano. With two outs and cleanup hitter Mike Mormile at the plate, Schirmacher stole home to give Guilford a 2-1 lead.
"At that point, we wanted to take a shot," Guilford coach Pete Civitello said of the call to steal home. "We gave Mormile one shot and after that I figured we would either go ahead or Mormile would have a fresh count the next inning."
Guilford's lead was short-lived. Branford scored two runs in the top of the seventh. With one out, Conor Reardon reached on an infield single and cleanup hitter Mike Tamsin was intentionally walked after Guilford pitcher Jeff Woodall fell behind 3-0. Civitello opted for reliever Sean Forman, who was greeted with a two-run double by Mike Miniter to give Branford a 3-2 lead. Forman retired the next two batters.
"A 2-1 lead with three outs to go against Branford...you can't ask for anymore," Civitello said.
Branford couldn't hold the lead in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Branford starter Kurt Warner, who took a perfect game into the fourth inning, issued a leadoff walk to Nick Platner in the seventh. Branford coach George Dummar went to reliever Justin Lawrence. Mark Harmon moved Platner to second on a sacrifice and Dan Overlock's RBI-single tied the game, sending it to extra innings.
Woodall came back on to pitch in the eighth and retired the Hornets. Lawrence, who earned his first win of the year, struck out five, while allowing just one base hit over three innings of work.
Branford had five of its 10 hits in the ninth inning. Tamsin and Miniter led off the inning with singles. Bobby Criscuolo reached on an error to load the bases and Andrew Dorman followed with an RBI-sacrifice fly. Ray Clark added a two-run double and Brian Monack singled home another run before the inning ended.
Lawrence retired the Indians in order in the ninth.
"One thing I will say is we don't quit," Dummar said. "Miniter had a very big hit...that was his second one this year."
While Branford is happy with the win, the Hornet struggled with runners in scoring position. Through the first six innings, Branford stranded nine runners in scoring position.
"We have been ahead in enough games that it hasn't truly hurt us yet," Dummar said. "Hitting is contagious...once it starts hopefully it will continue. We have been sporadic on offense, but we have been able to count on our pitching and defense."
The middle of Branford's order, Tamsin, Reardon, and Miniter, each finished with two hits apiece. Overlock finished with two of Guilford's five hits.
Woodall and Warner, who each pitched brilliantly through the first six innings, were not involved in the decision. Woodall pitched seven-plus innings, allowing four hits and striking out seven. Warner allowed one unearned run and four hits over six-plus innings.
Branford lost it other two games of the week, dropping a 3-2 decision to Fairfield Prep in the tenth inning and losing to North Haven, 5-2.
Fairfield Prep only had four hits off Branford pitching, but three errors hurt the Hornets.
Prep took a 2-1 lead into the seventh inning, before Branford tied the game. With one out Clark singled and scored on an RBI-single by Jared Ceccolini. Clark and Ceccolini both finished the game two-for-four.
Branford relief pitchers, Clark and Lawrence, held Prep in check until the tenth. A lead off single by Jesse Weinzimmer and an error allowed Prep to plate the game-winner. Branford was retired in order in the bottom of the tenth inning.
Ed Bethke, Branford's starter, pitched three innings, allowing one earned run and striking out two.
Branford's defense was the problem again against North Haven. Bethke pitched a complete game, allowing just one earned run.
Brian Monack led the Hornets with two triples, including a lead off triple that led to Branford's first run. Reardon also finished with two hits.
North Haven went ahead for good in the third inning. The Indians scored one run in the second on a walk and two errors and added two more runs in the third on two walks and one error.
Mike Salzillo pitched a complete game, striking out five to earn the win. Bethke took the loss, evening his record at 1-1.
Branford has a very tough schedule this week as they host Amity today (Wednesday) and East Haven on Friday. Branford traveled to West Haven on Monday (after press time).
Branford Softball
Hornets edge Guilford
Softballers win in eight; drop pair of 1-0 games
By Hal Levy
Executive Sports Editor
Branford softball coach Chuck Reale has an abiding belief in his team's ability to hit.
He eschewed an almost automatic squeeze play, for instance, figuring cleanup hitter Tara Finucane could drive in the lead run in the sixth inning of the Hornets' game with Guilford Wednesday.
He was right about Finucane, but wrong about the inning. It took until the eighth for her to double home the game-winner in a 4-3 Branford come back victory.
"Did I have any doubts it was going to happen this way? No. I'm not being arrogant, I'm not being cocky. But this team will hit itself out of a jam," said Reale.
The situation in the sixth cried for a squeeze to almost everyone but the coach. The Hornets entered the inning trailing, 3-1. Carissa Meinsen worked out a walk and Brittany Redman ripped the first pitch she saw into the left-center field gap for a two-run homer. With one out, Ashley Stoup tripled and Finucane came up. Reale had her swinging and she popped out. Stephanie Pellegrino flied out to end the inning in a tie.
"No, not at all, not in that situation. No way would I squeeze with her up because she can hit the ball," said Reale. "We knew someone would come through; that someone in the lineup would hit the ball because that's the way they think of themselves. It's a team effort. If it's not this kid, it's going to be the kid behind her. I can't complicate something that, to me, is very simple."
Finucane got another chance in the eighth. With one out Katie Cholewinski drew a walk and went to second on Stoup's fourth hit of the day, a single to left. This time, Finucane ripped a high drive to left which probably had Becca Davison beaten even before she fell going back on the ball to end the contest.
"They hit the ball hard. Hillary (DeCataldo) pitched a good game but they got a couple of big hit late. We played tough. They got the triple and Hillary held tough and the defense held tough. We got three runs off them which Chuck told me was the most they'd given up all year," said Guilford coach Steve Zajac.
The three runs came early. The Indians got one in the first on infield hits by Ashley Bruton and DeCataldo, a walk to Allison Glassick and an illegal pitch.
In the second, Taylor Bergquist worked a two-out walk and Ashley Glassick ripped a shot down the line in left for a home run.
But from that point on, Monica Figlewski was impossible for Guilford to solve. Of the next 20 batters she faced, 19 made outs (Bergquist walked to lead off the eighth) and no one hit the ball out of the infield. She finished with a three-hitter and 13 strikeouts, many on a curve which had Guilford batters flailing at balls a foot or more outside the strike zone.
"The defense has been excellent all year long and Monica has pitched well. It's just very basic stuff," Reale said.
Meanwhile, DeCataldo was living on the edge, working out of jams in three of the first four innings. The Hornets had the bases loaded in the first and couldn't score, had two runners on the third and were blanked and had runners at second and third in the fourth but still trailed, 3-0.
In the fifth, Branford finally broke through when Cholewinki reached second on an error and scored when Stoup grounded out. Cholewinski took off for third on the play and came around on an errant throw. Branford loaded the bases, but DeCataldo again got a big out. Then came the tying sixth and winning eighth.
"I was happy with the way we played but unhappy to be on the wrong end of the score. It was a tough game, I was happy with the effort but not with the score. We've got them at our place next time," said Zajac.
Cheshire nipped the Hornets, 1-0, Monday, scoring the game's lone run in the sixth inning. Courtney Kelly tripled and Jennifer Fleet scored her on a squeeze bunt.
Rachel Brenneman allowed two hits and struck out seven in the win.
North Haven also got a 1-0 win Friday against the Hornets and Melissa Mezzanotte scattered four hits.
The game's only run came in the fourth when Katie Annunziata tripled and scored on an infield out. Figlewski allowed only one other base hit, but Branford couldn't capitalize on three North Haven errors.
Branford Boys' Track
Hand outruns Branford
Tigers have edge in boys' track competition, 78-72
Last year the boys' track meet between Hand and Branford came down to the final relay and Branford pulled it out for the win. Last Tuesday the meet also came down to the final relay, but this year Hand took the win, 78-72.
"It was a great meet," Branford coach Rich Biondi said. "It was disappointing that we lost, but we had many great performances. On that day Hand was just a little bit better."
Kyle D'Amico won the 100-meter dash in 0:11.2, Craig Kenney placed fourth in 0:12.0 and Jay Moore ran 0:12.1 for fifth. D'Amico also won the 200 in 0:23.2 with Bryan D'Orlando going 0:24.5 for fourth.
Fedja Hodzic ran the 400 in 0:54.8 for second and Matt Snipes went 0:59.5 for fifth. The Thompsons represented Branford in the 800 with James taking second in 2:05.4 and Will in third in 2:15.
Steve Swirsky took second in the 1600 and the 3200 running 4:51 in the 1600 and 10:40 in the 3200. Sean McLaughlin clocked 5:14 in the 1600 for fifth and Mark Dusch took third in the 3200 in 11:04.
Brian Reasons placed second in the 110 high hurdles in 0:16.0, Luke Owen placed fifth in 0:17.6 and Matt Spaziente went 0:17.8 for sixth. Matt Ferrara placed fifth in the 300 intermediate hurdles in 0:49.1.
"We dominated the jumping events," Biondi said.
Jay Moore won the long jump going 18-8, Kurt Degan went 18-7 for second and Adam Paquin went 18-5 for fourth. D'Orlando jumped 18-1 for fifth and Chris Paulson placed sixth with a 17-11 jump.
Paulson won the high jump clearing 5-8, Craig Owen placed fourth going 5-6, and Degan also cleared 5-6 for fifth.
Degan won the triple jump going 43-7, Moore took second with a 41-10 jump, Paulson went 38-4 for fourth and D'Orlando placed fifth with a 38-0 jump.
Paulson won the pole vault clearing 11-0 and Chris Martens cleared 10-0 for second.
The Hornets swept the javelin with Luke Owen taking the win with a 162-1 toss, Colin McBurney throwing 136-6 for second, Dan Ormrod in third with a 129-8 throw, and Pete Greco throwing 123-2 for fourth.
Owen hurled the discus 119-4 and placed second and Kinney threw 109-7 for third. John Olejarczyk threw the shot put 43-1 for second, Dan Ranks placed fourth with a 40-5 throw, Kinney threw 37-4 for fifth and Danny Hines threw 32-7.5 for sixth.
The final 4x400 relay of James Thompson, D'Amico, Hodzic, and D'Orlando ran their season best 3:45 missing the win by three seconds.
"As a team we were upset that we lost," Biondi said. "But not with the effort."
The Seymour meet was rescheduled to May 21 and Tuesday the team traveled to Guilford.
--Barbara A. Mullen
Branford Girls' Track
Depth propels Hornets
Branford girls' track team edges Hand, 71-65
The Hornets won their meet last Tuesday over Hand 71-65 without head coach Kevin Connell and without star Tahari James.
"Hand won 10 out of 15 events," assistant coach Nate Jacobson said. "Our depth got us the win and it was a good win for us."
Julie Smith took second in the 100 meters in 0:13.7 and placed second in the 200 in 0:28.2. Kate Lonergan clocked 0:30.1 in the 200 for fourth. Adele Zocher won the 400 in 0:64.0.
Freshman Elizabeth Fitter won the 800 in 2:39 ahead of Orlaith Cunningham who placed second in 2:40.
"Bit hung with Orlaith for most of the race," Jacobson said. "She just had more kick at the end."
Cunningham finished ahead of Fitter in the 1600 taking second in 5:41. Fitter went 5:47 for third. Zocher cruised into third in the 3200 in 13:44.
Maria Fraenza breezed through the 100 hurdles in 0:18.71 for second and Laura Dalton went 0:19.39 for third. Fraenza also took second in the 300 hurdles in 0:53.8.
Branford swept the throwing events with Dee Miccinello throwing her personal best 32-6 to win the shot put. Rachel Chamberlain threw her best 32-2 for second and Danielle D'Amico threw 27-9 for third.
Chamberlain won the discus with a 75-8 hurl, Shana Smith threw 70-7 for second and Imaia Williams threw 69-11 for third.
"Brennan Lynch, our assistant throwing coach, is working wonders with our throwers," Jacobson said. "All their distances have increased during the season and they really came through in the Hand meet."
D'Amico won the javelin with a 97-3 toss, Miccinello took second throwing 87-2, and Kirsten Fuchs threw 82-8 for third.
Dana Finkle jumped 13-0 in the long jump for fourth. She jumped 29-9 in the triple jump for second and Kasey Adinolfi took third going 28-11.
Jacobson's girls came through in the high jump with Steph Gargano clearing 4-4 for the win, Steph Apuzzo clearing 4-2 for second and Kelsey O'Reilly completing the sweep clearing 4-0 for third.
The 4x100 team of Alicia Scillia, Smith, Adinolfi, and Erica Vitale went their best 0:55.18 for second. The 4x400 team of Jacquelyn Malici, Smith, Fraenza, and Fitter also ran their best 4:34 for second.
"We were treated to some gutsy performances," Jacobson said.
--Barbara A. Mullen
Branford Boys' Tennis
Boys win three of four
Branford tennis team has success on the road
The Branford boys' tennis team ended its week with a 5-1 record.
Monday the Hornets won on the road over Lyman Hall 7-0, Tuesday they bettered Hillhouse at home, 5-2, Wednesday it was a win on the road over North Haven, 7-0, and Friday they lost to East Haven at home, 4-3.
Chris Loftis played number one in three of the four matches and finished the week up undefeated. He won over Lyman Hall 6-0, 6-0, took out North Haven 6-2, 6-0, and bettered East Haven 7-5, 6-1.
"It was a big win for him over East Haven," Coach Bill Previdi said.
Fred Purse played the number one spot in the Hillhouse match and fell 6-1, 6-3.
Chris Previdi at number two went two for three winning over Lyman Hall 6-3, 7-5, over North Haven in three 6-7, 7-5, 6-1, and losing Friday to East Haven 6-1, 6-1. Kyle Tettlebach played the spot in the Hillhouse match and won 7-5, 6-4.
Derrick Roos at number three picked up wins over Lyman Hall 7-5, 6-1 and over North Haven 6-0, 6-3, but lost Friday in three 4-6, 7-6, 6-2. Chad Frisbie lost to Hillhouse 6-1, 6-4.
Chris Hayes at number four won all three of his matches taking out Lyman Hall 6-0, 6-1, North Haven 6-3, 6-3, and winning Friday in three 7-5, 4-6, 6-4.
"Chris continues to play great tennis," Previdi said. "He won a very big match over East Haven."
Roos played at number four in the Hillhouse match and won 6-1, 6-0.
Frisbie won at number five over Lyman Hall 6-1, 6-0. Dillon Mangs filled the spot in the Hillhouse match winning 6-3, 6-1. Corey Roos won Wednesday 7-1, 6-2 and shut out East Haven 6-0, 6-0.
"Corey's moved up," Previdi said. "I have a lot of confidence in him."
Number one doubles Purse and Tettlebach took wins over Lyman Hall 6-1, 6-0, and over North Haven 6-3, 6-1 but fell Friday 6-1, 6-2. Ron Hood and Mark Waclawiak won at number one Tuesday 6-1, 6-2.
Corey Roos and Mangs played number two and won over Lyman Hall 6-3, 6-4. Brendan Page and Henry Sneath won in the spot Tuesday 6-2, 6-1. Mangs teamed up with Frisbie for the win Wednesday 6-3, 6-3 and they lost in three Friday 6-1, 6-4, 6-2.
The team has a light schedule this week traveling to Hand Friday.
--Barbara A. Mullen
Branford Girls' Tennis
Three shutouts for girls
Branford tennis team blanks Sheehan, NH and EH
The Branford girls' tennis team had a solid week last week. The Hornets shut out all three of their opponents, winning over Sheehan, North Haven and East Haven by identical 7-0 scores.
"Sheehan was a tough team," Coach Chris Marra said. "It was a good win for us."
Kathleen Kelley at number one won all three of her matches.
Larissa Magness also won all three at number two.
Danielle Velardi also won her three at number three.
Suzanna Slater won her two at number four and Krista Richardson took the win Friday.
In doubles action number one Katie Casey and Taylor Mann went undefeated for the week.
Amy Esborn and Heather Tettlebach also went undefeated.
Sarah Motti and Sophie Pack won over North Haven and Sheehan.
Jessica Paul and Eliza Slater took the win over East Haven.
--Barbara A. Mullen
Branford Boys' Lacrosse
Hornets post two wins
Boys' lacrosse team downs North Haven, NFA
By John Steady
Staff Correspondent
The Branford boys' lacrosse team didn't suffer any letdown after its exciting overtime win over Hand last week. Branford defeated Hand in double overtime last week.
"We worked the kids real hard on Monday," Branford coach Brian Adkins said. "The Hand game was a great win, but we wanted the kids to know that we don't want that to be the highlight of our season."
The Hornets outscored their opponents 30-2, earning two more wins. Branford defeated North Haven 13-1 and Norwich Free Academy 17-1.The two wins up Branford's record to 5-1 on the season. Branford's only loss is to East Lyme two weeks ago.
"We were hoping to be 5-1 at this point, but if you told us that we would beat Hand and lost to East Lyme, a Division II team, I would have been surprised," said Adkins.
Against North Haven, Branford's defense held the Indians scoreless through the first three quarters. North Haven scored its only goal in the fourth quarter.
A.J. Alessi led the Hornets with three goals and one assist. Ben Johnston, Zach Dendas and Joe O'Keefe each scored two goals apiece. Billy Ryan, Paul Raccio, Andrew Swart, Tom McGwire, and Jeff Bleuge each scored one goal apiece for the Hornets who jumped out to a 5-0 lead after one quarter of play.
The Hornets outshot North Haven 34-18. Burkhardt finished with nine saves.
Branford completely dominated Norwich Free Academy in the second game of the week. The Hornets jumped out to a 15-0 lead after the first half.
Johnston and Alessi combined for six of the goals in the first half. Johnston finished with four first half goals and three assists, while Alessi had two goals and two assists.
Billy Ryan also added three goals and an assist for Branford.
Dendas, Swart, Raccio, Dan Neal, and Billy Alessi each scored first half goals.
Neal's goal midway through the third quarter was the Hornets only goal of the quarter. O'Keefe added a goal in the fourth quarter for the Hornets.
"Sometimes these games are tough," Adkins said. "You don't want the kids to come out flat or play down to the competition. We don't want the kids to be cocky and think a team is just going to hand us something. We are not at that level yet."
The Hornets' schedule will get a little tougher this week as they continue their Division I Southern Connecticut Conference schedule. Branford will host Cheshire on Thursday and travel to West Haven on Saturday. Both games begin at 7 p.m.
Branford Girls' Lacrosse
Hornets rammed twice
Girls' lacrosse team falls to Cheshire, New Canaan
By John Steady
Staff Correspondent
The Branford girls' lacrosse team dropped both its games this week, falling to Cheshire, 7-6, and New Canaan, 10-4.
Branford made a dramatic comeback against Cheshire, but Danielle Tamaro's game-winner with under a minute to play gave the Rams a one-goal victory.
Branford fell behind 6-1 in the first half. Marta Iaccarino's goal in the final minute of the first half cut the lead to 6-2. The Hornet outscored Cheshire 4-1 in the second half.
With 9:28 remaining, Iaccarino added her second goal of the game to tie the score at 6-6. Neither team scored until the final minute when Cheshire scored its only goal of the half, the game-winner.
Katherine Donovan led the Hornets with five ground balls, while Iaccarino finished with two goals and four ground balls.
Lauren Mallory and Meredith Prior each scored two goals for the Hornets.
In the game against New Canaan, Branford surrendered three goals in the final 1:26 of the first half to give the Rams a 5-1 lead. While New Canaan controlled possession for most of the first half, Branford goalie Nicole Flores made seven saves to keep the Hornets in the game until the final minute.
Junior Jamie Perdo scored her first varsity goal on an assist from Caity Reardon for Branford's only first half goal.
New Canaan answered every time Branford scored in the second half. With 21:18 remaining, Marta Iaccarino scored on an assist from Caitlyn Buckanavage, but less than two minutes later, New Canaan scored to extend its lead to 7-2.
The two teams combined for four goals in the final 2:26. Buckanavage picked up a loose ball near midfield and went the length of the field to score, cutting the lead to 8-3. New Canaan added its goal 26 seconds later, after winning the face off.
Buckanavage added her second goal of the game on an assist from Audra Stawicki with less than two minutes to play.
Branford coach Jason Dittert was unavailable for comment after the game.
Branford's record dropped to 2-4 with the two losses.
The Hornets will play three times this week. They hosted NFA on Monday and traveled to West Haven on Tuesday (both after press time). The Hornets will travel to Babylon, NY for a game on Saturday, beginning at 11 a.m. Branford starts a stretch of five consecutive conference games next week.
