It took a little while for the Haddam-Killingworth softball team to click on the field this spring. However, the Cougars found their form at just the right time and are in the midst of a five-game winning streak entering the home stretch of the regular season. Last week, H-K picked up a pair of victories to improve its record to 11-6 on the year.

H-K posted a mark of 5-5 during the first half of the campaign, but has won six of its last seven games since then. Along, the way, the Cougars clinched a berth in the Class M State Tournament and gave longtime Head Coach Jeff Talbott his 300th career victory. In last week’s action, H-K notched a 6-5 win over Old Lyme on May 15 and then blanked Rockville by the final score of 4-0 the following day.

Coach Talbott said that he’s proud of his squad for weathering the early storm and feels honored to have recorded his milestone victory. Talbott earned win No. 300 when H-K defeated Canton 7-1 on May 10.

“It was big to lock up states, and then we also won our rematches form earlier in the year against good teams in Coginchaug and Cromwell. I told them it’s like walking up steps and just playing better their next game, and they’ve bought into that,” said Talbott. “I knew when the season started that I had a shot to hit 300, but I put in the back of my mind. It was a special day with the kids and their parents. It means a lot to stick it out 21 years. I love the school and the kids. It was an awesome feeling to hit 300.”

H-K’s senior captains are catcher Faith Mauri, a two-time All-Shoreline Conference and All-State honoree; and Brooke LaTouche, who pitches for the Cougars. Coach Talbott praised both captains for their performance on the field, as well as their leadership in the dugout and beyond.

“Faith is a five-tool player. She is awesome on the field and a great leader. She’s like having another assistant coach,” Talbott said. “Brooke is an easygoing kid with good control with her pitching. She works really well with Faith as a captain, especially with the younger kids.”

Sophomore Ella McGlynn moved from behind the plate to first base this year. Junior Rachel Mauri plays second base; freshman Kat McQueeney, who has a .450 batting average; is starting at shortstop; while senior Shannon Nelson is holding things down at third base for Haddam-Killingworth.

“Ella is one of our stronger hitters. I like her at first. She has range and can get the ball out of the dirt with her catching experience. Rachel is a steady player with a keen eye at the plate,” said Talbott. “Faith has mentored Kat, and she’s gotten better every game. Shannon has worked hard and gotten better defensively, and she puts the ball in play.”

Junior Adelle Biondi is patrolling left field for the Cougars. Senior Chloe DiStasio plays center field, and freshman Audrey Snyder has found a home in right field. Freshman Megan Butler is handling the designated hitter duties for Coach Talbott’s club.

“Adelle has been very good defensively. She has a good arm and is a good bunter. Chloe has the most experience in the outfield, and she covers the gaps well. She’s more of a line-drive hitter,” Talbott said. “Audrey can really run. She usually bats first or last because of her speed. She’s really good in the outfield. When I saw Megan in batting practice, everything impressed me with how she hit the ball.”

H-K started off last week by claiming a 6-5 home victory versus Old Lyme. Nelson and Snyder both had a two-run single in the win, plus McQueeney and Biondi each had RBI singles. LaTouche started on the mound and pitched two innings. Junior Faith Torello threw the next four innings and ultimately got the win in relief. After Old Lyme rallied from a 6-2 deficit to make it 6-5, LaTouche came back in the game during the seventh inning to close out the victory.

Torello tossed a shutout when H-K beat Rockville by a 4-0 final in another home game the following day. Torello allowed just four hits and struck out six in the complete-game effort. Nelson had an RBI single in the first inning, and McQueeney plated two more runs by hitting a hard single to left field in the fifth. H-K added its final run in the sixth, when Faith Mauri walked, stole second, and scored on an error.

After finishing up the regular season with games against Woodstock Academy and Valley Regional, the Cougars will be competing in the Shoreline Conference Tournament this week. The opening round is on Thursday, May 23, the semifinals take place on Friday, May 24, and the final is slated for Saturday, May 25.

Coach Talbott said the Cougars are confident that they can compete with anyone in the Shoreline Conference. Talbott feels that his team is hitting its peak as it pushes into the postseason.

“After those Coginchaug and Cromwell wins, they believe they can beat good teams,” said Coach Talbott. “I told them back on March 17 at our first practice that everyone has to improve each day and play their best at the end of the year.”

From the Sidelines

Jeff Talbott is in his 21st season as head coach of the Haddam-Killingworth softball team. The Cougars’ assistant coaches are Sandy Castlevitro and Kate Mayer.

H-K has recorded two wins against Morgan (8-1 and 8-4) this year, along with one victory apiece against Old Saybrook (6-5), East Hampton (13-1), Portland (3-0), Westbrook (21-1), Coginchaug (8-5), Cromwell (6-5), Canton (7-1), Old Lyme (6-5), and Rockville.

The Cougars have taken defeats to North Branford (11-5 and 13-5), Hale-Ray (5-4), Valley Regional (6-0), Coginchaug (7-2), and Cromwell (5-3).