Softball: Eckles' late two-out hit gives Ellington key NCCC win
May 17—The Ellington High softball team has had few challenges in its perfect run through its NCCC schedule.
But when the Knights got one from Rockville on Monday, they responded like the champions they may soon become.
Brynlee Eckles' RBI single in the top of the seventh inning broke a tie and Ellington would add two insurance runs to post a 5-2 victory over the Rams in conference action in Vernon.
The Knights (15-1, 11-0 NCCC) lead Somers, which has completed NCCC play at 12-1, by percentage points in the conference race. They capture the NCCC title outright with wins at Granby Wednesday and over Stafford at home Thursday.
Ellington took a 2-0 lead in the fourth only to see Rockville (11-6, 8-4) tie it in the fifth.
It remained that way until two were out in the seventh when Keyleigh Flaherty tripled and came home on Eckles' hit. Sydney Matz then doubled to score Eckles with Matz coming in on an error to make it 5-2.
That was enough for freshman Camryn Fisher, who finished with a three-hitter. She walked four and struck out 15. Both Rockville runs were unearned.
Ellington has not lost since its season opener against Haddam-Killingworth on April 2.
Lexi Real was outstanding in defeat for the Rams. She walked one, fanned 17, and gave up eight hits.
Ellington plays a non-league game at Glastonbury today. Rockville visits Coventry Thursday.
BOLTON 8, GRANBY 3. Lana Houlberg and Brooke Holota delivered key hits in a five-run fourth inning that broke a 3-all tie and Bolton's NCCC road win clinched a Class S state tournament berth.
Sydnie Stevens and Madison Peacock each had three hits for the Bulldogs (8-8). Winning pitcher Caleigh Sheehan tossed a four-hitter and struck out 12 while helping her own cause with a solo home run. Reagan Winn had two hits for Granby (2-14).
Bolton is back on the road today at Suffield.
SOMERS 11, STAFFORD 3. Madison Hinkley had three hits and drove in two runs as Somers topped visiting Stafford in NCCC play.
The Spartans (14-5) took a 6-0 lead after two innings and coasted to their eighth win in nine games. Kiana Kalman had two hits and scored three runs. Mackenzie Mike had two hits and three RBIs. Robin Gaskell also drove in three runs. Hinkley was the winning pitcher as she scattered 11 hits. She walked one and struck out 10.
Ashley Toney had two hits including a home run for the Bulldogs (8-8), who have lost four in a row. She drove in two runs and scored twice. Sofia Frassinelli had three hits while Abigail Julian had two hits. Gabby Hubbard doubled.
Stafford hosts the Westbrook/Portland co-op today. Somers entertains Valley Regional to complete its regular season Wednesday.
EW/SMSA 2, CANTON 0. Abby Lee pitched a two-hitter in the East Windsor/SMSA co-op's NCCC win. She walked four and struck out 15.
The Panthers (10-7) took the lead in the fourth inning as Lee tripled and scored on a Katie Blume single. They added an insurance run in the sixth on a Blume RBI single that plated Lee.
Canton is also 10-7.
The Panthers are at Bolton Wednesday.
EAST GRANBY 8, SUFFIELD 6. East Granby won back-to-back games for the first time this season by beating host Suffield in NCCC action. Taylor Hayes was the winning pitcher for the Crusaders (6-11).
Lizzy Jamrog had three hits to pace the Wildcats (2-13). Hayli Graham and Lauren Sheridan added two hits each with Sheridan scoring twice.
Suffield hosts Bolton today.
GLASTONBURY 8, WETHERSFIELD 0. Brooke Tracy took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and settled for a one-hitter in Glastonbury's CCC interdivisional home win. She struck out 17.
Sadie Scurto drove in three runs for the Guardians (15-2), who have won six straight. Rayah Snyder, Nabia Crawford, and Molly Edgington each had two hits. Wethersfield is 11-6.
Glastonbury entertains Ellington today.
TOLLAND 11, NW CATHOLIC 2. Jordan Girard went 3-for-3 for Tolland in a CCC interdivisional home win.
The Eagles (11-6) spotted Northwest Catholic (4-13) a 2-0 first-inning lead before answering with three runs in their half of the first and tacking on four in the third and four in the fifth.
Lauren Czerwinski scored three runs for Tolland. Casey Shorts was the winning pitch, striking out six.
RHAM 11, PLATT 4. Taylor Fitch had a home run and triple while scoring three runs and driving in three in RHAM's CCC interdivisional victory in Hebron.
The Raptors (14-2) blew the game open with a four-run fifth inning en route to their eighth win in a row. Hadley Marchand had a solo home run among two hits for RHAM. The junior was also the winning pitcher as she allowed five hits and three runs in six innings. She struck out 10.
Platt (5-13) has lost six straight.
RHAM plays its final four regular-season games on the road starting with today's contest at No. 2 Southington.
VALLEY REGIONAL 10, WL 8. Windsor Locks fell to Valley Regional for the second time in six days. The non-league game was called in the sixth inning due to rain. Valley Regional (8-10) qualified for the Class M state tournament with its third consecutive win.
Allie Kiczuk had two hits for the Raiders (5-10). Marena DeMonti drove in two runs and Bella Canon one. Rene Homan struck out nine.
GIRLS LACROSSE
SUFFIELD 14, SOMERS 13. Ari Nicholas scored five goals, including the tie-breaking and what proved to be the winning goals, for Suffield in its NCCC win at Somers Monday, its second one-goal victory of the season over the Spartans.
The Wildcats (5-8-0) led 8-4 at halftime only to see Somers (5-9-1) get even at 12 on Caroline Colton's goal with 7:36 left. Nicholas netted the next two goals to put Suffield back in front. Jamie Anthony scored with 1:07 to go to make it 14-13 but the Spartans could not get the equalizer.
Mac Chevrier, Izzy Sperazza, and Georgia Qua added two goals each for Suffield. Goalie Alana Raines made 10 saves. Colton finished with five goals while Anthony had three goals and three assists for Somers. Brooke Stevens also had a hat trick while Hallie Watt and Ashley Birkenshaw chipped in a goal apiece. Goalies Elena Riggins and Kayla Brown combined for six saves.
Somers completes the regular season with a home game against Windsor Wednesday and must win to qualify for the Class S state tournament. Suffield visits Lyman Hall Wednesday then hosts Lyman Hall Friday and must get at least one win or two ties to earn a Class M state tournament berth.
