After claiming its sixth-straight Shoreline Conference title and advancing to the state final, the North Branford softball team is back on the diamond and striving for more success this year. With a strong senior class and several impressive underclass athletes, Head Coach Nick DeLizio believes that the T-Birds have the pieces in place to once again contend as one of the best teams in the state.

North Branford finished with an overall record of 21-3 on its way to claiming the Shoreline Conference crown for the sixth-straight year last season. The Thunderbirds went on to advance to the final of the Class M State Tournament, where they took a 6-0 loss to Weston. Last week, North Branford began its 2022 campaign by losing a 13-1 road game against East Haven.

While the T-Birds feel excited to return to the field, they got off to a rough start with their training schedule as multiple practices had to be altered due to inclement weather. North Branford also saw several scrimmages get canceled or rescheduled. Despite those struggles, Coach DeLizio said that his athletes worked hard to prepare the best they could for the spring season.

“We really worked on the fundamentals with the infielders. We tried to work on footwork with the outfielders,” DeLizio said. “We have a much bigger roster than last year, so we’re trying to make sure everyone is getting their reps in. It’s a big learning curve for me and some of the girls. We’re trying to give opportunities and see what we have this year.”

North Branford is being led by three senior captains in pitcher/outfielder Bella Hills, catcher Hanna Senerchia, and infielder Gianna DePino. Senerchia was an All-Shoreline Conference First Team honoree last season, while Hills earned All-Shoreline Conference Second Team accolades.

North Branford’s senior class also includes Lauren Ackerman and utility player Nichole Gomez. Coach DeLizio said that this year’s team features strong leadership and that everyone in the senior class is doing a great job of helping the T-Birds find their footing.

“These five seniors have been a part of the team for the past four years. The captains earned their role from their teammates and coaches. But when I talk to the seniors, it’s really all at once,” said DeLizio. “We have strong leadership. Everyone can be a leader. Even if you aren’t a captain, you can be a leader. The responsibility is in the seniors’ court to try and make us as strong as possible.”

North Branford will see Hills and sophomore Kiley Mullins take the mound for the team this season. Hills brings experience to the pitching staff and will continue playing softball in college. Mullins pitched several games for the T-Birds in the playoffs last year, and Coach DeLizio said she has a lot of potential. Either way, DeLizio knows that North Branford will feel confident going into every game with a couple of solid options in the circle.

Senerchia was ready to serve as North Branford’s starting catcher this year, but has been sidelined with an injury. Like Hills, Senerchia will be playing softball in college.

Freshman Adriana Hills is starting behind the plate for the Thunderbirds. DePino will see playing time at first base alongside junior Tessa Juniver and will also play second base for North Branford, as will freshman Alexa Falconi.

Sophomore Lindsey Onofrio, who garnered All-Shoreline Conference Honorable Mention last season, is the team’s starting shortstop. Sophomore Natalia Lucibello will patrol the hot corner at third base.

Ackerman is starting in center field for the T-Birds and will be flanked by sophomore Gabrielle Senerchia and either Hills or Mullins, depending on who is starting on the mound.

Coach DeLizio said that North Branford’s lineup possesses both speed and power threats. DeLizio added that the T-Birds were strong at the dish last year and wants that momentum to carry over into the new season.

“We want to pick up where we left off last year. We had a lot of confidence at the plate. We caught fire at the right time. We have some hitters that batted in the .400s. Hopefully, they maintain that average,” DeLizio said. “We want to make contact, be aggressive on the basepaths, and do damage at the plate. We want to find ways to get on base and get the most out of our at-bats.”

No matter the position or grade level, Coach DeLizio is looking for big things from everyone on this year’s roster. North Branford had three freshmen start in last year’s Class M title game, showing that you can get playing time even if you are a new member of the Thunderbirds. Hard work comes first in North Branford, and DeLizio said that credo will ultimately determine who’s in the T-Birds’ lineup.

“The best 9 or 10 are going to be playing. It doesn’t matter what you are—freshman, sophomore, junior, senior. Once you’re on the varsity team, everyone is considered a senior in my book,” said DeLizio. “If you look at the times we’ve made runs, we’ve had freshmen playing no matter what. If you show progress, you’re coachable. You’re a leader; you’ll play. It’s big to get that experience when you’re younger.”

North Branford was on the road to face East Haven for its 2022 opener on April 2 and took a 13-1 defeat in a game that was called after five innings. Onofrio had 2 hits and a run scored for North Branford, while Lucibello had a hit with an RBI.

Coach DeLizio said that North Branford is planning to use that loss as a learning experience as the T-Birds try to develop their team identity.

“East Haven just hit the ball. Any ball that was left for a strike was hit. They hit us hard. We had some errors, some miscommunication, and a lack of urgency,” DeLizio said. “We addressed it. The game is behind us now. We want to have an elite mindset. We’re going to learn from it. We’ll turn it around.”

With a storied tradition of success on the ballfield, Coach DeLizio wants everyone on his squad to understand what the expectations are for North Branford softball. The T-Birds have a strong pedigree, and DeLizio looking for his players to keep raising the bar they aim for another successful season.

“Great leadership will be No. 1. From the coaching staff to the seniors to the rest of the team, it will be huge,” said DeLizio. “We’re a talented group of girls. Where they see themselves, I’m going to ask them to push it way past the bar. I want these girls to take it to the next level. Be the best player, person, and best version of themselves possible.”

The athletes in the North Branford softball program for the 2022 season are senior captains Bella Hills, Hanna Senerchia, and Gianna DePino; seniors Lauren Ackerman and Nichole Gomez; junior Tessa Juniver; sophomores Leah Pinette, Kiley Mullins, Lindsey Onofrio, Gabrielle Senerchia, Natalia Lucibello, and Gianna Fico; and freshmen Adriana Hills, Mary Brown, Nicolette Regino, Julianna Onofrio, Gabriella Bigio, Madison Pitcher, Emilyn Nay, Alexa DeFrancesco, Alexa Falcioni, and Lily Ardito.