Amanda King and Guilford have qualified for the state tournament.
For the first time since 2012, Guilford has qualified for the state tournament.
The Indians won twice last week, including a 13-0 victory over Hillhouse that secured Guilford (8-6) a tournament berth. A team must win at least eight games to qualify for states.
With a young but talented group returning, including sophomore pitcher Amanda King, Indians coach Steve Zajac was cautiously optimistic about his team’s fortunes this season.
“Because we have some pitching, I knew we could stay in a lot of games,” Zajac said. “I knew the kids we had coming back were good players, and I had heard some good things about some of the young kids coming up. They’ve come up and they swing the bat well. They’re aggressive out there, so they’ve fit in well.
“We always hope to get to the tournament. I thought we had a good chance this year with what we had coming back and the young kids adding on to it. It’s been a good season so far.”
In addition to King, fellow sophomores Charlotte Young (outfield) and Sara Barreira (shortstop) also start, as do freshmen Ava Gladwin (outfield), Leah Kornguth (catcher), Emily Torre (outfield) and Jordyn Goldstein (third base). Junior Lilly Young is at first base, while senior Ashley Ignatowski is at second.
King saw action in the pitching circle as a freshman after an elbow injury sidelined Ignatowski. Due to the injury, Ignatowski no longer pitches, so King has pitched almost every single inning this season. King has good velocity, but she’s also been an effective with her off-speed pitches.
“It always throws off batters,” King said. “It’s important to stay consistent. I have to work on being consistent like that.”
In a 5-0 victory over West Haven on April 28, Kind stymied the Westies with her mix of pitches. King allowed just five hits and struck out eight.
“When she can mix that in effectively for strikes, and keep the other team off-balanced, it’s really big for her,” Zajac said. “She has some good pop on her fastball, but when she can throw the slow one for strikes, it’s a big deal for her.”
Although King plays summer ball for the CT Eliminators 16U Black Showcase, King doesn’t focus on softball the entire year. King is equally as talented in volleyball and basketball. King currently does not have a pitching coach.
“She just kinds of wings it,” Zajac said. “I know her dad works with her. Softball, she works hard at it in the summers and when she’s with us in the spring, but she’s one thing to the next. She’s not one of the girls who plays year round. She works at her game, but she kind of does it on her own.”
The Law of averages
Law earned a huge win over rival Foran on Friday. Freshmen Cali Jolley had two hits, including a game-winning walk off RBI double in the bottom of the eighth inning, in a 7-6 win over the previously unbeaten Lions.
The Eagles are 5-8 entering this week. Law needs at least three wins in its final seven regular season games to qualify for the state tournament.
Law entered this season with inexperience at several positions. Pitcher Erin Harrigan and catcher Skyler Bender are both sophomores starting in those spots for the first time.
“I thought we would still be able to get eight (entering this year),” Law coach Melanie Blude said. “I still think that we’re still able to get eight, but we’re going to fight for those eights. I have fighters on the field, so I am not concerned. I have athletes out there.”
The Eagles’ remaining schedule is daunting. Law has games remaining with Hand, No. 7 East Haven, No. 8 Amity and two against No. 9 Lauralton Hall in addition to contests with Hillhouse and Platt Tech.
“We have a tough schedule,” Blude said. “We had a few games that we were supposed to win, and a couple of games that we thought we should of been in the game but came up a little short. It’s not going to be easy, but it’s doable.”
Jolley, the shortstop, and freshman third baseman Gina Boccamazzo patrol the left side of the infield. Senior center fielder Erin Saley is one of the top defensive players in the league. Junior first baseman Maddie Murphy is hitting over. 500.
“This is my 11th season, and I’ve never had a kid this late in the season be over .500,” Blude said. “She’s been crushing the ball.”
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