The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Wildcats pound out 21 hits, take down rival Crusaders
WATERBURY — The Seymour softball team went untested in its first seven games of the spring, pitching and hitting its way to a series of routs.
The first quality opponent the Wildcats faced didn’t cool their bats by any stretch.
Now 8-0, Seymour pounded out 21 hits in a 15-9 decision over rival Holy Cross on Saturday, claiming the rematch of last season’s NVL final also won by the Wildcats. Freshman Morgan Teodosio belted a pair of two-run home runs, the second of which provided insurance with the lead at 10-8.
“We did well consistently hitting, and looking at pitches that were balls,” said Teodosio, who had four hits. “We were always pressing hard, thinking about them and how it was going to be a hard game.”
Seymour scored six times in the first and two in the second to grab an 8-0 lead, then watched as that completely evaporated. But nine hits and six runs in the final two innings provided an exclamation point for the top-ranked team in the state.
“We hit pretty well and have a pretty good hitting team,” said Wildcats coach Ken Pereiras. “We came out looking to hit the first good pitch; the middle of the order came through and it all
starts with our leadoff hitter (Becca Johnson), she gets on and makes things happen.”
The Crusaders drew six walks in the second inning off Seymour starter Jenna Geffert, which brought in junior Molly Adamo with the score 8-4. Adamo then yielded a three-run triple to Lizzy Diorio — who also scored on the play — to tie it at 8-8 but settled down and threw four scoreless
innings before Holy Cross (5-3) added a run in the seventh.
“(Adamo) came in and she threw strikes,” Pereiras said. “That was the key to the whole game; the inning they scored the (eight) runs, we walked six batters. Adamo came in and settled us down; the first batter hit a long shot but after that she was in complete control.”
Following Diorio’s shot that reset the contest, Seymour plated one in the third on an RBI double from Johnson. The score remained 9-8 until the sixth inning, when the Wildcats scored three times and three more in the seventh.
“I’m really proud of them,” Holy Cross coach Meg Dwyer said. “I tell them every day that they’re a very good team and have great potential. For not being on a field yet to practice this season, they’re doing a tremendous job.”
TOP OF THE PILE
The Wildcats entered the showdown between the defending Class M and S champions ranked No. 1 in the GametimeCT/Register Top 10 Poll.
“It’s a little pressure but it’s a real nice honor,” Johnson said. “People always expect us to come out here and do well, and sometimes we do struggle with some things here and there. But it’s a nice responsibility to have.”
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Becca Johnson, Seymour: Had a perfect day at the plate, going 4-for-4 with two doubles and a walk. Also made a key catch in center with the score 9-8 in the fifth inning.
QUOTABLE
“Seymour is good every year No. 1-9, we know they’re going to put the ball anywhere,” Dwyer said. “You say they hit left, they hit right; you say they hit right, they bunt. That’s the type of team you want to play to work on your defense. I wish we could play them more than once a season.”
rlacey @bcnnew.com, twitter.com/ryanlacey11