Printer Friendly Version - Cohesion Key for Progress of Young Branford Softball Squad

Shortstop and senior tri-captain Jade Bocciarelli and the Branford softball team will look to develop as the season wears on with teamwork and cohesion. Photo by Kelley Fryer/The Sound

Senior tri-captain Paige Kelly and the Hornets’ softball squad are showing themselves as a close-knit and competitive club while taking on some of the very best in the SCC this spring. Photo by Kelley Fryer/The Sound

Whenever there is a young squad in high school sports, one crucial characteristic and cog to keep the machine churning is cohesiveness–which is what is running rampant through the Branford softball team thus far in its 2023 campaign.

Last season, the Hornets finished in the field with an overall record of 4-16. This campaign, Branford has yet to earn its first victory of the year through its first four contests. Branford skipper Tori Ramada detailed that the Hornets sport a youthful and spry squad this year that will develop as the spring continues on because they are functioning as a harmonious unit.

“With this young team, we are very fortunate to have it meshing well together,” said Ramada. “We are an extremely tight-knit group, and all of the girls work well together. We will look for that teamwork in order to have a successful season. Regardless of our final record, one of our biggest goals is developing skills for them they can use beyond high school.”

Leading the club into contests this spring are three dynamic senior captains. Jade Bocciarelli (.231 batting average through four games) will anchor the infield at shortstop, and joining her in the dirt is Caroline Johnson, who sports an .800 fielding percentage on defense, over at first base, plus Paige Kelly (.308 on-base percentage and a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in 2023) in the outfield.

“All of the girls work really well together as captains,” said Ramada. “They all contribute to the team differently. Caroline is very organized and communicates with the whole team well. All three of them work really well with the younger girls and even the junior class. The younger girls look to them to guide and educate them. The team is meshing well together, and that is due in large part to how well the captains work together. They each demonstrate great leadership and are passionate about the sport.”

The Hornets also showcase a tandem of upperclassmen pitchers on the mound in senior Sophia Warfield (striking out eight in 12 and 1/3 innings thrown in 2023) and Madigan Lawler (.900 fielding percentage this spring) out of the junior class ranks, as the two will also split time at the hot corner of third base. Sophomore Tia Graziano is a newcomer to Branford who is in left field with a current .833 fielding percentage in the first four games, and finally freshman Chloe Pompano has riled up a rookie spark behind the Hornets’ home dish as catcher, who is a solid stopper with a .929 percentage blocking the plate.

“Both Sophia and Madigan are doing really well,” said Ramada. “They will also play at third when the other one is on the mound, and they are pitching well. They have been good contributors to the team. Tia has been really stepping up for us the first few games of the season, and she is doing well both offensive and defensively. Chloe has been doing amazing behind the plate.”

The Hornets did not shy away from top-notch competition within the Southern Connecticut Conference by taking on league stalwarts East Haven, Law, and Guilford within the inaugural week of their campaign.

In terms of divisional competition, the Hornets are competing in the SCC Oronoque Division alongside Law, Guilford, Sheehan, and Career. While Branford dropped the initial contests with Law and Guilford, it has rematches against both on April 28 at 3:45 p.m. on the road and Monday, May 1 at 4:15 p.m. at home, respectively.

The Hornets face the Titans on Monday, April 17 with a 4:15 p.m. first pitch at home, then travel to Sheehan on Monday, May 8 at 3:45 p.m. Lastly, for the clashes with Career, Branford travels to Career on Saturday, April 22 at 10:30 a.m. and then play host to the Panthers on Friday, May 5 at 4:15 p.m.

Ramada added that there are additional key contests where the Hornets look to garner victories towards potentially moving into the postseason conversation.

“We have a very competitive schedule,” said Ramada. “We started off with tough teams like East Haven, Law, and Guilford. We are a young team, but the girls are cohesive and work well together. We also have games against Sheehan and Career where we will look for wins. As the year progresses, our games could go either way, but I see us being successful.”

But stepping back a bit and looking at the grander scope and the bigger picture, Ramada and Branford are looking to make moves that go beyond wins and losses in the standings. The coaching staff wants to instill a critical skill set that can serve the girls well long after they leave the field for the final time as a Hornet.

“We want them to develop skills both on and off the field this year,” said Ramada. “The coaches are big on teaching traits and skills they can use after they leave here, such as taking accountability and teamwork. We also want them to build knowledge of the game, such as knowing where to go and what to do when they have the ball in their hands.”

The 2023 Branford softball team roster is comprised of seniors Bocciarelli, Johnson, Kelly, Warfield; juniors of Cheyenne Rose, Veronica Holyst, Lawler; sophomores in Ava Holyst, Graziano, Italia Bruno, Grace D’Addio; and freshman Pompano.

Ramada is assisted in the dugout and on the field by assistant coaches Alexa Polverari and Megan Ferraro.