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06/10/2024 02:04 AMWhile the North Haven softball team did not emerge from the 2024 campaign with conference or state crowns, they still amassed a great deal of victories and recognition on both SCC and state levels–still proving themselves as one of the more respected programs in the conference.
The Nighthawks cruised to an amazing 18-2 regular season record, claiming 18 victories in their remaining 19 games following an Opening Day defeat on March 30–completing a two-year regular season stretch of 38-2.
In the SCC Tournament, North Haven was the No. 2 seed and bested No. 7 Lauralton Hall 12-0 in the quarterfinals and then No. 3 Sheehan by a 2-0 final in the semifinals to catapult the Nighthawks to their second-straight SCC final. In the championship clash, they took a tough 7-2 loss to top-seeded Cheshire.
Then in the Class L State Tournament, North Haven received a first-round bye as the No. 4 seed. The Nighthawks then suffered a 3-0 second round loss to No. 13 Guilford on May 29 at home to finish the campaign at 20-4 overall.
Skipper Vinny Cretella explained that the girls made sure to challenge themselves during the regular campaign to bolster themselves by being more battle-tested for the postseason. The Nighthawks did not delve deeper into states than they did a year prior, but they certainly have many solid feats to hang their hats upon.
“Our goal for this season was to get back to the SCC Championship game and go further in the state tournament. We created a more difficult schedule facing other Class L teams in order to see better competition and prepare for a state championship run,” said Cretella. “We got back to the SCC Championship but fell short to Cheshire. We lost our first state tournament game to Guilford. It was very emotional for us, but on those days, our opponents were better. Getting to the SCC Championship game was another big accomplishment. Another one was that four of our players were recognized as All-SCC Team players and one of our players was honored with All-State accolades this year.”
Senior captain Reece Hebert acted as the ace in the pitching circle for North Haven. She was an extremely efficient pitcher with a 1.58 earned-run average, while recording 95 strikeouts. Her colleague and fellow senior captain Gabby Blanchard was another hurler and also shortstop. Blanchard posted a 1.53 ERA and notched 45 punchouts. With her legs and the bat, she led the Nighthawks with nine stolen bases and batted with a .294 average with 21 runs scored.
Her sibling and fellow senior squad steward Izzy Blanchard caught behind the dish and collected a .321 batting average with 22 RBI and eight doubles. It is a final-year class that has cultivated so many successes and many memorable memories on and off the field.
“Losing this senior class is very emotional, as they are a special group of young women. Their absence is going to be a huge loss for us,” said Cretella. “Our senior class led this team to two seasons with 20 wins, two division titles in our conference, and two appearances in the SCC Conference Championship games. They’re all amazing young women. The leadership from our senior captains, welcoming the younger players, forming a team culture that is more like a family dynamic amongst the team, and the bonds these girls have formed will be difficult to replace. This was a very special group. Their impact extends beyond North Haven High School. We are so sad to see them go.”
Elsewhere, junior first baseman Alexandra Anquillare had a phenomenal season. During the regular season, she batted for a .535 average with 42 hits, five home runs, and 38 RBI. For her efforts, she was selected for All-State, First Team All-SCC, and to the Junior Select All-Star Game.
Also making First Team All-SCC was junior Alyssa Ferriouolo opposite her at third base. In the regular campaign, she batted .361, roped 30 hits, 30 runs scored, 13 RBI, and eight two-baggers.
Emelia Brandi (a sophomore second baseman) was honored as Second Team All-SCC and named to the Sophomore Select All-Star Game with her .381 batting average.
Junior center fielder and shortstop Alyssa DiGiovanna earned herself Second Team All-SCC status. She hit to the tune of a .321 batting average, 27 hits, and 13 RBI as the leadoff hitter.
The girls never got too caught up in their own individual successes or became complacent after experiencing so many team triumphs. They functioned as one cohesive unit, never feigning away the responsibility to have each other’s backs.
“Our team is a family. The girls come to play, they take care of each other, and truly enjoy being with one another,” said Cretella. “They developed a great rapport both on and off the field, which translated into their cohesiveness as a team during games. They trust each other and know if one of them is struggling, someone else can pick them up.”
While parting ways with a senior class that proved quite pivotal to the prominence of the program the last two springs, North Haven still has an optimistic outlook to the future. They will look to keep the family unit intact while seeing several underclassmen step up and take the reins.
“Next year will be very different, as we are losing players in pivotal positions, especially with pitching and catching,” said Cretella. “We will return key defensive and offensive players, which we will rely on for leadership. With young pitching, it will be interesting to see how they rise to the occasion, but we have faith in our family atmosphere and that our experienced varsity players can help lead the team to continued success.”
The 2024 North Haven roster is made up of seniors Ninamarie DeMennato, Avery Berney, Gabriella Blanchard, Hebert, Isabella Blanchard, Brooklyn Bonner; juniors Lana Cervero, Anquillare, Ferriouolo, Shamett, Makayla Mongillo, Isasbella Crouch, Liliana Anderson, DiGiovanna; plus sophomores Emilia Brandi, Lauren Petruzzelli, and Giavana Morgillo.
2024 North Haven Softball Team Regular Season Results
March 30: Ridgefield 4, North Haven 1
April 1: North Haven 12, West Haven 3
April 5: North Haven 5, Mercy 2
April 6: North Haven 9, New Milford 3
April 8: North Haven 7, Lauralton Hall 0
April 10: North Haven 11, Sacred heart Academy 3
April 15: North Haven 20, Branford 1
April 16: North Haven 2, Amity 1
April 17: North Haven 14, East Haven 2
April 22: North Haven 13, West Haven 5
April 24: Mercy 6, North Haven 2
April 25: North Haven 13, Law 4
April 27: North Haven 11, Lauralton Hall 3
April 29: North Haven 11, Sacred Heart Academy 0
May 1: North Haven 3, Amity 1
May 3: North Haven 11, Sheehan 0
May 6: North Haven 7, Branford 0
May 8: North Haven 11, East Haven 2
May 11: North Haven 4, Fitch 2
May 13: North Haven 5, Law 3