SOFTBALL | STORYLINES AND GAMES TO WATCH

ACE-OFF

Last season two pitchers set themselves apart in the state. Sophie Garner-MacKinnon (Hall) and Kathryn Gallant (Masuk) were both 1st TeamAll State selections and both put up video game numbers on the mound and in the box. Gallant was named the state MVP, leading Masuk to an undefeated season and the Class L championship, in which she threw a shutout and hit a two-run home run in the 2-0 victory over St. Joseph. Gallant, a Villanova commit, went 21-0 with a 0.27 ERA and a 0.44 WHIP while striking out 273 batters in 130 innings pitched last season while hitting .532 with five home runs. Garner-MacKinnon is committed to Duke and led Hall to the Class LL semifinals. She had 16 wins last year with a 0.24 ERA and 341 strikeouts in 145.2 innings while hitting .481 at the dish. The top two MVP candidates last year will try to replicate their absurd performances from last season, while 1st Team All-State selection Maddie Burrows of Waterford (12-1 with a 0.89 ERA and 134 strikeouts in 86.1 innings pitched and a .523/.614/1.154 slash line) will make her bid for top player in the state as well.

WILL ANYONE BEAT MASUK?

Masuk enters the season on a 36game winning streak, has won four straight SWC titles and three straight Class L championships. Can anyone in the SWC — or even the state — end the Masuk dynasty’s run? It would be tough, as Masuk returns Gallant along with 1st Team selection, outfielder Natalie Lieto. Masuk did lose a couple key bats to graduation, but the fully operational death star squad likely won’t miss a step. Notre DameFairfield was the closest team to sinking the Panthers last season, but losing Mac Stone-Folmar (perhaps the best hitter in the state last year) is a big hit. Ace Judy Tarczali returns for her sophomore season, and when she is on the mound anything is possible. Newtown looks to build on its strong season, with Ashley Hubner (.660 avg), Sydney Adolfson (148 K’s and a 1.65 ERA) and Brianna Pellicone (.470 avg with six home runs) all returning Newtown could be a dark horse candidate.

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

Games to Watch

Masuk at Ludlowe, Saturday, April 2nd, 1 p.m.:

Last year’s No. 1 team against No. 3 Ludlowe as Gallant will open the season against the bats of Elena Ohe and Chelsea Villar. Ludlowe lost in the Class LL title game last season.

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.

Masuk at St. Joseph, Thursday April 7th, 4 p.m.:

A rematch of the 2021 Class L Championship game in which Masuk walked away victorious 2-0 behind a shutout and a two-run home run by Gallant. St. Joseph ace Lauren Wasikowski will toe the rubber against Gallant in an early contest between two of the state’s best programs.

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.

Ludlowe at St. Joseph, Wednesday April 27th, 4 p.m.: When the two met for the first time last season, St. Joseph ace Wasikowski surrendered her first run on a Elena Ohe solo shot, but St. Joseph won. The second time they met, in the FCIAC championship, it was Ludlowe that came away with the win. How will the rivalry pan out this year?

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.

Hall at Southington, Monday May 16th, 5:30 p.m.: Southington is the defending Class LL champion, and whenever it would go up against Garner-MacKinnon last season it was a battle of wills. One of the best programs in the state against the best pitcher in the state.

Masuk at Newtown, Monday May 16th, 7 p.m.: Newtown found its footing last year with a strong core of underclassmen but went 0-2 against Masuk (5-0 and later 1-0). With the Newtown core gaining postseason experience and coming close last year, can it shock the state?

Southington at Waterford, Friday May 20th, 4:45 p.m.: Just four days after facing Garner-MacKinnon, Southington will travel to Waterford (last year’s No. 8 team in the state) to face another dominant ace in Burrows.