No. 8 East Haven erupts for nine runs in third in rout of Cheshire

EAST HAVEN — The SCC has been one of the more tumultuous conferences in the state so far this season.

With many of the top teams handing each other losses, any meeting between the powerhouses carries significant weight.

On Friday, East Haven and Cheshire met for a second time, as East Haven completed the regular season sweep of the Rams with a 15-2 five-inning victory.

“We did a great job right from the start in the first inning being aggressive,” East Haven coach Jeff Crisafi said. “That was big after they scored the first run in the top of the first.”

After Cheshire scored a run in the top of the first off

East Haven starting pitcher Emilee Bishop, the Yellow Jackets responded in kind.

East Haven added a run in the second inning before a third inning explosion of nine runs.

Bishop recovered from her first inning, allowing three hits and two earned runs over five innings while striking out 11.

Catcher Lena Barthel hit a three-run home run and a double and scored three times. Jilien Ayala and Bishop had two doubles each while Lexi Heaphy also hit a two-run double.

“I think it was just one of those days,” Crisafi said. “They didn’t play close to their A game today and we know that, but we did what we were supposed to and we took advantage of it.”

No. 8 East Haven improves to 15-2 with the victory and is the conference favorite per the GameTimeCT Top 10 poll.

With the loss, Cheshire falls to 12-5, but Crisafi has a feeling this won’t be the last meeting between the rival teams.

“I know we will see them again,” Crisafi said. “We will probably see them in the SCC’s and it will be a different game.”