Softball Picks Up Third Win Over Hillhouse

The Branford Hornet’s softball team had an easy time in their recent game against the visiting Hillhouse Academics when they pulled off a 17 – 5 lopsided victory in an abbreviated five-inning game. The SCC has a ​“Mercy Rule” to end a game when a team is ahead by 12 runs after five innings. Here Marissa Minore makes perfect contact on one of her two home runs in the game.

“It’s nice seeing our players get a lot of hits and score a bunch of runs,” said coach Chuck Reale after the recent Hornets win. ​“Those things help when you’re having an off year.” And here Minore is shown rounding third on her way home. She had 6 RBIs in the game. 

Since the Hillhouse game the Hornets lost to West Haven 16 – 3, Lyman Hall 8 – 2, Wilbur Cross 16 – 12 and yesterday 6 – 3 to North Haven and now stand at 3 – 16 with only a rematch game with Hillhouse remaining. Here Alycia Ferretti, a junior, makes contact on one up the middle.

Hillhouse started out strong scoring three runs in the first to jump out early. The Hornets countered with two in the bottom of the inning on a single by co-captain Liv Datre and the first of two home runs by Marisa Minore (pictured at top).

Here Third baseman Abby Spivey puts the tag on a Hillhouse runner.

Here Jess Shanley connects on one of her three hits in the game.

Here Lily Moore-Markey rips one over short.

Branford outhit the Academics 15 – 9 and scored in their four at bats unloading for 11 runs in the third inning to put the game out of reach. Minore’s second home run came in the inning when she unloaded a grand slam. She had three hits in the game along with 6 RBI’s. Here Senior co-captain Hunter Kelly rips a double in the gap.

We caught up with Coach Chuck Reale talking a little strategy with sophomore Jess Shanley.

A big sign in the outfield encourages working for improvement.

Leadoff batter and first baseman Jessica Shanley followed Minore with three hits and two RBIs for Branford. She was followed by Hunter Kelly, who had two hits including a double and RBI, and Abby Spivey and Julia Falcigno, with two hits each. Datre, Lily Moore-Marley, and Lexi Falcigno chipped in with one hit each in the Hornets barrage. Here Falcigno, a junior, cracks one of her two hits.

Senior co-captain Liv Datre was the winning pitcher, giving up 9 hits.Here Datre unleashes a strike for the Hornets.

Here the team members get together for picture before the Hillhouse game. Seated, front, L‑R: Lily Moore-Markey, co-captains Liv Datre and Hunter Kelly and Jess Shanley. Top, L‑R: Abby Spivey, Shannon Judd, Alycia Ferretti, Julia Falcigno, Lexi Falcigno, and Marissa Minore. 

The Hornets final game against Hillhouse is this afternoon at 3:45 pm at Blackmon Field on Goffe Street in New Haven.

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