Boys’ Lacrosse

The Branford boys’ lacrosse squad began its year by splitting a pair of non-conference games during the first week of play. Branford lost to Masuk in its season opener, but came back to post a victory versus Morgan for a 1-1 start to the campaign.

The Hornets hosted Masuk for their first game of the season and dropped a 10-6 decision on March 30. The game was tied 6-6 going into the fourth period, where Masuk scored four goals to come away with the win. Junior Jack Manware had two goals with an assist, while senior Robbie Lionetti also scored two goals for Branford. Senior Max Bunton and sophomore Luke Volpe netted one goal apiece. Freshman goalie Aidan Strebel made 11 saves in net.

Then on April 6, Branford put its first win of the year in the books by notching a 10-6 road victory over Morgan at the Indian River Complex in Clinton. Lionetti had a big game by scoring seven goals to go with an assist for Head Coach Jim May’s squad. Manware had a goal with an assist, Bunton scored a goal and dished out two assists, and sophomore Julio Tozetto added a goal in the win. Strebel came up with 15 saves to help Branford beat the Huskies.

Branford’s senior captains for this season are Lionetti, Anders Brown, Mike Parker, and Will Riggs. Last year, Branford finished with a record of 10-8 and made the Class M State Tournament, where the Hornets posted a victory over Law in a qualifying round contest.

Baseball

Branford started off the 2019 season by recording home victories versus New Canaan and North Haven last week.

On March 30, the Hornets hosted non-conference opponent New Canaan and claimed a 4-1 win. Senior Aidan Ricciardelli earned the win on the mound while allowing just four hits and striking out nine for Branford. The game was tied 1-1 until the Hornets plated three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to pull ahead.

Two days later, Branford defeated North Haven by the final score of 5-2 in another home game. Sophomore Collin McNeil picked up the win by giving one hit through 4.1 scoreless innings for the Hornets, who took a 4-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back. Senior Anthony Burzynski had a hit with an RBI, while junior Bennett Gentile hit an RBI double in the victory.

Branford is coming of a campaign that saw the team post a record of 17-9 while advancing to the semifinals of the Class L State Tournament. The Hornets clinched a share of the SCC Oronoque Division title during the regular season and went on to earn an 8-5 win against Cheshire in the quarterfinals of the SCC Tournament. In the Class L bracket, Branford recorded wins versus Masuk (2-0), Cheney Tech (11-6), and Bristol Eastern (2-1 in 8 innings) to advance to the semifinal round.

Softball

The Hornets took defeats in their first two games of the 2019 campaign.

Branford hosted Lauralton Hall for its season opener on April 1 and lost a 12-1 contest against the Crusaders. Three days later, the Hornets took a 16-1 loss at Shelton. Senior Lexi Falcigno went 2-for-2, junior Abby Spivey was 1-for-2, and sophomore Sophia Esposito went 1-for-2 with an RBI for Branford.

Golf

Branford took a 198-204 home loss versus Sheehan in its season opener at Pine Orchard Country Club on April 4.

Junior Minsok Lee finished with a score of 46 to lead the Hornets. Freshman Justin Acquarulo was next in line by scoring a 48. Junior Spencer Engstrom shot a 51, while freshman Jacob Knapp scored a 59 for Branford.

Boys’ Tennis

Branford posted home victories over West Haven and Notre Dame-West Haven during the first week of its season.

The Hornets defeated West Haven by a 6-1 final on April 2. Junior Eli Hanlon earned a 6-0, 6-2 win at No. 2 singles, senior Dan McGuire claimed a 6-0, 6-1 win in the No. 3 singles match, and senior Paul Riccio prevailed 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 at No. 4 singles for Branford. In doubles, the Hornets’ No. 1 team of seniors Dan Pagliaro and Kurt Schalper won a 6-3, 6-4 decision; the No. 2 team of Jaden Andresen and freshman Josh Berdon notched a 6-1, 6-4 win; and the No. 3 tandem of junior Jason Hackett and Wes Raymond won 7-5, 6-2.

Two days later, Branford earned 6-1 win against Notre Dame-West Haven in a home match. Senior Praneeth Ganedi claimed a 6-0, 6-7 (2-7), 6-3 victory for Branford in the No. 1 singles duel. Hanlon (6-1, 6-2), McGuire (6-2, 6-3), and Riccio (6-1, 6-2) also won their matches to help the Hornets sweep singles play. Andresen and Berdon earned a 6-2, 7-5 win at No. 2 doubles, while Hackett and Raymond prevailed 6-1, 6-2 in the No. 3 doubles matchup.

Last season, Branford finished with a record of 12-7 while qualifying for both the SCC Tournament and the Class M State Championship.

Girls’ Tennis

The Hornets came away with a split of two matches during the first week of their season.

On April 1, Branford netted a 5-2 home win against Hamden. The following day, the Hornets took a 5-2 road loss at Law. Branford’s No. 1 doubles team of sophomore Alayna Boileau and sophomore Shae Lepre earned a 6-2, 6-1 win for Branford. The Hornets’ No. 2 team of juniors Sarah Berdon and Ellie Bartlett won by the score of 6-2, 5-7, 6-3.

Boys’ Outdoor Track

Branford hosted a quad-meet on April 2 and swept the meet by defeating Career (139-11), Morgan (105-45), and Amistad (120-30).

Senior Marzio Mastroianni took first place in the 800 (2:14) and the 1,600 (5:02) to help the Hornets start off the year at 3-0. Branford also received first-place finishes from freshman Cheng Wu in the 400 (56.5), sophomore Mekhi Barnette in the triple jump (36-2), senior Brandon Perez in the high jump (5-8), junior Andrew Wirtz in the pole vault (8-0), senior Hunter Giordano in the shot put (36-5), senior Aidan Kropiwnicki in the javelin (147-11), and senior Giancarlo Giannini in the discus (105-10).

The Hornets also finished first in all three relays. Branford’s 4x100 relay of Wirtz, senior Carlos McCaay, sophomore Kamryn Holmes, and Wu posted a time of 46.8; the 4x400 of Perez, junior Andrew Betzig, freshman Wyatt Reynolds, and Mastroianni finished in 3:52; and the 4x800 of junior Nolan Scott, Betzig, Reynolds, and Mastroianni timed in at 8:51.2.

Branford was also bolstered by second-place showings from junior David Tedeschi in the javelin (107-10), Betzig in the 1,600 (5:04), sophomore Mateo Noble in the 400 (57.7), sophomore Ryan Hanniford in the 110 high hurdles (19.2), and McCaay in the 100 (11.4).

Girls’ Outdoor Track

The Hornets squared off against three teams in a quad-meet at Branford High School on April 2. Branford earned wins versus Career (82-45) and Amistad (95-19) to go with a loss versus Morgan (75-62) for a 2-1 start to the year.

Junior Rose Lockery claimed first place in the 200 by running a time of 28.0 seconds for Branford. Sophomore Stephanie Toste finished first in the 800 with a time of 3:03, while senior Khusbu Shrestha ran a time of 15:29 to take first place in the 3,200. Junior Julia Robbins won the javelin (66-6), and sophomore Maddy Seward took first in the pole vault (5-6).