Knights’ Softball Off to Strong Start at 3-0
The Westbrook softball team began the 2016 campaign with authority by winning its first three games in impressive fashion. The Knights defeated Wolcott Tech 11-1 in their season opener, dispatched rival Old Saybrook by a 17-2 final the following day, and then finished off the perfect 3-0 week with a hard-fought 4-3 victory over East Hampton.
On April 5, Westbrook started its spring season with an 11-1 drubbing of non-conference opponent Wolcott Tech at home. Wolcott scored a run in the top of the first, but the Knights responded with three runs in the bottom half and then broke the game open with six in the second. Westbrook tacked on two more in the fifth inning to finish off the scoring. The Knights only had six hits in the game, but they made each one of them count as sophomore first baseman Olivia Pohorylo went 2-for-2 with two singles and two RBI, junior catcher Biance Ferrucci hit a triple and also had two RBI, junior third baseman Kylie Magee doubled and drove in three runs, and junior captain shortstop Alexa Mulvihill doubled and had two RBI. Senior pitcher Hanna Bibisi went the distance, allowing nothing after the first inning, and the Westbrook defense was solid in helping shut down Wolcott Tech.
Then on April 6, Westbrook took the short bus ride to Old Saybrook, where the two Shoreline Conference foes squared off on the diamond. It was the first game of the year for the Rams after their scheduled contest against Haddam-Killingworth was rained out earlier in the week. The Knights got out to a fast start by scoring five runs in the first inning en route to a 17-2 victory tha was called by the mercy rule in the fifth. Westbrook pounded out 19 hits as Ferrucci went 3-for-4 with two singles and a grand slam; Mulvihill went 4-for-5 with two singles, a double, and a triple; Pohorylo was 2-for-4 with a double and single; and Magee went 2-for-2 with a double and a single. Additionally contributing to Westbrook’s offense were freshman center fielder Jamie Merola, who went 2-for-2 with two singles; sophomore second baseman Olivia Kjos, who was 2-for-2 with two singles; and senior left fielder Allyson Schenck, who went 2-for-2 with two singles. Right-hander Bibisi got another win that featured nine strikeouts, while junior captain Emily Hotkowski played solid defense in right field.
“The cohesiveness between the girls this year is the backbone of their early success,” Head Coach Caitlin Eichler said. “Each girl on the team plays a pivotal role. The girls are playing with heart and determination, putting forth their best effort on every play or at-bat. They work hard during every practice and carry that focus into the games. That, combined with their positive attitudes, is a sign of a team that will continue to improve as the season unfolds.”
To end the week, Westbrook matched up with another Shoreline Conference squad in East Hampton at home and won a 4-3 thriller on April 8. Once again, the Knights went down 1-0 in the first inning, but they tied the game up in the second. East Hampton jumped ahead 3-1 by scoring twice in the third inning, although Westbrook answered with three runs in the bottom of the frame to go up for good at 4-3. Schenck hit a single to start the rally and Ferrucci followed with a double that advanced Schenck to third. Next, Mulvihill doubled to score both Schenck and Ferrucci and tie the score at 3-all. Mulvihill then went to third on a wild pitch and later crossed the plate with the go-ahead run on another wild pitch. Both teams went scoreless the rest of the way and Westbrook held on to polish off an excellent first week of the season with victories in all three of its games. Bibisi made it three wins in a row on the mound and had another nine-strikeout performance. Mulvihill went 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored.
“Hopefully, their confidence continues to grow, bolstering their performance. Our goal is to play competitive softball and maintain a winning record and earn a spot in the Shoreline Conference Tournament and State Tournament,” said Coach Eichler. “The solid pairing of Hannah Bibisi and Biance Ferrucci [as the team’s battery], backed up by strong infielders and consistent one through nine hitting, is the key to winning.”
2016 Westbrook Knights Softball Schedule
April 5: Westbrook 11, Wolcott Tech 1
April 6: Westbrook 17, Old Saybrook 2
April 8: Westbrook 4, East Hampton 3
Monday, April 11: vs. Old Lyme at 4 p.m.
Wednesday, April 13: at Hale-Ray at 4 p.m.
Friday, April 15: at Portland at 4 p.m.
Monday, April 18: at Cromwell at 4 p.m.
Wednesday, April 20: vs. Coginchaug at 3:45 p.m.
Friday, April 22: at Haddam-Killingworth at 4 p.m.
Monday, April 25: vs. North Branford at 3:45 p.m.
Wednesday, April 27: at Valley Regional at 3:45 p.m.
Friday, April 29: vs. Morgan at 3:45 p.m.
Monday, May 2: vs. Hale-Ray at 4 p.m.
Wednesday, May 4: vs. Portland at 4 p.m.
Friday, May 6: at Old Lyme at 4 p.m.
Monday, May 9: at East Hampton at 4 p.m.
Wednesday, May 11: vs. Old Saybrook at 4 p.m.
Wednesday, May 18: at Cross at 4 p.m.
Monday, May 23: vs. Hillhouse at 4 p.m.
Tuesday, May 24: at Windsor Locks at 4:30 p.m.