Bobcats blank Avon to reach quarters

WATERBURY — It wasn’t where they thought it would be played, or when.

But the result was good enough for the Brookfield softball team, and they’re still dreaming about the top prize as a result.

Emily Parchinski belted a pair of home runs, freshman Jillian Mitchell tossed a shutout and No. 4 Brookfield advanced to the Class L quarterfinals for a second straight season behind a 7-0 win over Avon at Municipal Stadium.

With Brookfield’s field saturated and the prom for both schools set for Friday evening, a rare 10 a.m. start at a neutral site created a unique environment.

“It was a little stressful yesterday with the game getting switched all the time,” said Parchinski, who helped lift her team’s record to 17-5 this year. “We’re such a good team that we know we’re going to be fine.”

“Yesterday we just put our all into practice,” said senior Adriana Fiori. “Whatever happens we have to go out and play our best. We were trying our best to get hyped on the bus for today.”

Parchinksi supplied the offense with two early shots into the soccer side of Municipal Stadium.

“(Avon’s Jackie Pengel) was a really good pitcher,” Parchinski said. “I had to pick and choose which pitches.”

Mitchell was sensational

under the circumstances; she also pitched in the Bobcats’ 5-3 loss to Newtown in the SWC quarterfinals.

“She did a great job,” said Brookfield coach Nick Castellano. “She hit her corners well, we’re very proud of her. I judged it based on the last game. Emma Sands is a great pitcher also. These kids are battlers.”

UP NEXT

Shock waves were felt

across the state Friday when No. 1 St. Joseph suffered its first loss of the season in the second round against East Haven. That potentially opened up an opportunity for several squads to reach the final round.

The road won’t be easy with Windsor visiting Sunday, though.

“The answer is yes but we are thinking of one game at a time,” said Castellano in reference to whether the Bobcats have a better chance to reach the final. “We’re not there yet, one game at a time. (Windsor)

is very good.”

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Jillian Mitchell, Brookfield: Felt no pressure of the moment, limiting Avon’s baserunners and working out of trouble when needed.

QUOTABLE

“Just teamwork and giving it our all every game,” Fiori said. “No matter what inning it is or how much we’re down by, we have to give it our all and run on and off the field like a family.”