SOFTBALL | STORYLINES AND GAMES TO WATCH

SCC LOTTERY

Cheshire won the SCC championship last season 5-4 over Amity. Throughout the season Cheshire, Amity and East Haven beat each other at the top of the conference, but it became clear the Cheshire behind then ace Bri Pearson (a 1st Team All-State selection) was just a step ahead of the other two. Like Cheshire, Amity lost its ace Kelly Pritchard (also a 1st team All-State selection) while East Haven lost its ace Tori Heaphy (2nd Team All-State). East Haven has an advantage in returning Emilee Bishop, who took over pitching duties for Heaphy during East Haven’s Class L semifinal run. SCC semifinalist Jonathan Law returns pitcher Talia Salanto, a freshman last season. There are plenty of holes to fill on rosters throughout the SCC, leaving the door wide open for whoever can put it together.

WOODLAND TAKE TWO

The Woodland Hawks are coming off an incredible season where it took home the NVL title on a walk-off home run by masher Kylie Bulinski and went undefeated until the Class M semifinals. Woodland lost 7-2 against North Branford, just a game away from a state title shot. But with Bulinski (.649/.700/1.330 slash line with 14 home runs last year) returning this year along with fireballer Sam Sosnovich (11-0 record with 115 strikeouts in 65.1 innings and a 0.64 ERA) the Hawks are still set up for another shot at the state title that conference rival Seymour captured. Woodland defeated Seymour 16-6 in last year’s NVL semifinal before taking out Naugatuck for the crown. Seymour and Naugatuck both lost their aces, but Oxford returns with Sophia Gendron on the mound. Oxford will be looking for revenge after losing to Seymour 5-4 in the NVL quarterfinals. For Woodland, the only thing left to do is win a state title.

CROWDED SHORELINE

The Shoreline Conference was arguably the most competitive in the state last year, with a handful of teams competing for the top seed in the tournament to the very end. This season, expect the same. Defending champion North Branford returns its two aces in Kiley Mullins and Bella Hills, along with outfielder Hanna Senerchia (.509, 27 runs, 26 hits). North Branford fell short in the Class M championship game against Seymour, but returns with plenty of postseason experience. HaddamKillingworth is primed to bounce back in a huge way after a SLC semifinal loss. H-K returns pitcher Bella Richwine (7-0, 0.66 ERA and 89 k’s in 53 innings) and right fielder Ivy McNiel (.532 batting average last season). Class S state champion Coginchaug lost three of its best players, but returns Ava Marenna (.448 avg) and Allison Strang (.413 avg). Old Lyme returns its two pitchers (Victoria Gage and Emma Baylor) that led the team to the SLC championship game, and Cromwell returns three AllConference

players, including SLC pitcher of the year Lily Kenny. The Shoreline looks to be another roller coaster ride.

GAMES TO WATCH

North Branford at Haddam-Killingworth, Monday, April 4th, 4 p.m.:

Two of the favorites in the Shoreline Conference will go head to head, as well as a potential pitching duel between a pair of sophomore aces in Mullins (North Branford) and Richwine.

Seymour at Woodland, Monday April 25th, 3 p.m.:

Defending NVL champion Woodland will host defending Class M champion Seymour as the two teams have developed a bit of a recent rivalry atop the NVL.

Waterford at East Haven, Thursday April 28th, 4:30 p.m.:

The last time these two met, East Haven defeated Waterford 1-0 in nine innings during the Class L quarterfinal. Waterford’s Burrows will look for revenge against East Haven’s Bishop in what should be a great pitching duel.

Amity at Cheshire, Friday May 6th, 4:15 p.m.:

A rematch of last season’s SCC championship, but this contest will look a bit different. Both teams lost their aces to graduation but the series between these two teams was electric, and likely still will be.