Printer Friendly Version - North Haven Softball Set Standard for the Future with Landmark Campaign

The North Haven softball team completed the first perfect regular season in program history at 20-0 before reaching the SCC Tournament final and Class L State Tournament quarterfinals. Photo courtesy of Sarah Lombardi

Sophomore Alyssa DiGiovanna was awarded Team MVP for Nighthawks softball after an impressive outfield showing this spring in which she came up big in the clutch in a variety of situations. Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Courier

Not only did the North Haven softball team have one of the best campaigns in program history, but the Nighthawks did it with an impeccable tenacity and aggression at the plate and along the basepaths on both sides of the field.

Under the tutelage and guidance of co-Head Coaches Vinny Cretella and Sarah Lombardi, North Haven completed a perfect regular season with a mark of 20-0. With that unblemished mark, the Nighthawks ascended to the top seed for both the SCC and Class L State Tournaments. First up, in the conference draw, North Haven took care of No. 8 West Haven with a 15-3 win, and then edged out 5th-seeded Cheshire 5-3 in the semifinals before a tough 7-6 loss to No. 6 Amity.

For the states bracket, the Nighthawks received a first-round bye for their efforts prior to an eight-inning 2-1 triumph over No. 16 Berlin in the second round but then lost a 1-0 heartbreaker in 10 frames to No. 9 Ellington to finish 23-2 overall.

In attaining an historic regular season, Cretella explained that the Nighthawks did it by getting after the competition and going all gas and no breaks within each contest.

“Our goal starting the season is to make the state competition and win the division,” said Cretella, as North Haven claimed the SCC Hammonasset Division crown additionally. “Another major goal we had this season was to be more aggressive offensively. Our aggression on the bases forces teams to make plays and puts pressure on the defense. Our aggressive play this season helped us reach our other goals. We ended up seeded first in our division but fell short in the championship game to Amity. A major accomplishment this season for us was going undefeated in the regular season, which was the first time a team went undefeated in program history.”

As is with any program, North Haven softball recognized several athletes for their achievements on the diamond this spring in different ways. This year’s team MVP for the Nighthawks was Alyssa DiGiovanna, a sophomore outfielder. She had a knack to come up big in the clutch, as was evident when she helped clinch two big regular season games with back-to-back walk off hits.

Meanwhile, senior outfielder Mia O’Brien notched the Sportsmanship Award and sophomore and outfielder Ava Shamett garnered the Most Improved Player distinction.

“Mia was there for her team, whether she was on the field or not,” said Cretella. “Her positive attitude helped our team through high pressure situations. This was Ava’s first year getting experience with varsity and she showed great growth.”

Additionally for postseason individual recognition, North Haven had three players make All-SCC First Team with senior captain and catcher Kayla Balisciano, senior outfielder Jules Galasso, and DiGiovanna. Junior infielder and pitcher Gabriella Blanchard made Second Team All-SCC.

This year’s squad offered an eclectic mix of all grades and classes that jelled quite well in all facets of the team and program–thanks in large part to the examples set forth by a quintessential quintet of a senior group that was sent off in style.

“This year’s team consisted of a mix of all ages and grades,” said Cretella. “We say goodbye to five solid senior players; captain Kayla Balisciano, captain Maria Lockery, Jules Galasso, Ava Ferriouolo, and Mia O’Brien. All seniors have been a vital part of this season on and off the field.”

In closing remarks on the campaign, Lombardi echoed her coaching colleague’s sentiments on the senior class while adding that the tremendous progress made by the Nighthawks in 2023 is only the beginning of what is to come for North Haven as it looks to zero in on both conference and state crowns in the very near future.

“Myself and counterpart co-coach Vinny Cretella plan on piggybacking off of this year and continuing our aggressive game play,” said Lombardi. “We say goodbye to our seniors and will miss everything they all brought to the team, but we continue to get ready for next season and are looking forward to getting back on the field. This season was just the start of what North Haven Varsity softball has to offer.”

The Nighthawks full team roster was comprised of seniors Balisciano, Lockery, Ferriouolo, Galasso, O’Brien; juniors Ninamarie Demannato, Avery Berney, Gabriella Blanchard, Reese Herbert, Isabella Blanchard, Brooklyn Bonner; sophomores Alexandra Anquliere, Lana Cervero, Alyssa Ferriouolo, Shamett, Makayla Mongollo, Isabella Crouch, Liliana Anderson, DiGiovanna; freshmen Emelia Brandi, Lauren Petruzzelli, and Giavana Morgillo.