North Branford celebrates after defeating Sheehan last week. Catherine Avalone/Register
North Branford had plenty of reasons to celebrate last Monday. The Thunderbirds had just earned an 11-4 victory over Shoreline Conference rival Coginchaug to remain unbeaten on the young season.
The victory also marked the 600th in school history. North Branford High opened in 1964 and, a year later, the softball program began under then coach Sandra Chadeayne Augur.
With three additional wins last week, the Thunderbirds are now 603-374 overall.
“I knew about it (being close to 600 wins) at the end of last season,” said North Branford coach Nick DeLizio. “When we beat Coginchaug, on the bus ride home, I thought to myself that maybe that was our 600th win. It’s something pretty cool that they accomplished as a team and to be a part of.”
DeLizio is just the eighth coach in program history. The majority of the victories belong to John McGuirk, who went 366-192 from 1975-2000. McGuirk led the Thunderbirds to the state final in his first season before losing to Sheehan. It’s the only championship game appearance for North Branford.
T.J. Schatz racked up 167 wins before stepping down in 2014. DeLizio, an assistant under Schatz, took over last season.
The Thunderbirds, the defending Shoreline champs, are hoping to celebrate several more times this season.
North Branford (6-0) is favored to repeat as league champions. In addition, the Thunderbirds are a legitimate threat to win the Class M state title.
“There’s a lot of talent on this team, both young and old,” DeLizio said. “They just need to keep working hard. We always tells them when they go into practice, they need to work as hard as they can, and two hours later they should know they are a better player then when they stepped on the field. They know what their potential is. The senior leadership has been very good on this team.”
Senior pitcher Lindsay Golia is 5-0 with an earned run average of 2.02 and 55 strikeouts in 31 innings. She’s surrendered just 18, and just three for extra bases.
“She’s doing very well,” DeLizio said. “She’s got that ice in her veins. She wants to win. It’s all about the team, but she also wants that spotlight on her.”
Senior catcher Sabrina LeMere is hitting a team-high .550 with nine runs and seven RBIs. Sophomore Olivia Hemstock is batting .455 with nine runs, while senior center fielder Meghan Golia is hitting .421 with five RBIs.
The Thunderbirds host fellow unbeaten East Haven (6-0) Monday at 3:45 p.m. at Totoket Park in North Branford.
“It should be a good one,” DeLizio said. “They’re a very good program. They’re a tough, quality program. Coach (Ed) Crisafi does a good job with them.”
The Easties, a member of the SCC, are the defending Class L champions. North Branford and East Haven split their two meetings last season. DeLizio said he’s enjoyed the competition against East Haven, which borders North Branford.
“They’re right next to us,” DeLizio said. “It’s like a little rivalry, even if it’s not the same conference. It’s good for the towns. It’s good for the girls to experience something like that.”
The teams play again on May 17 in East Haven.
“You have to limit the mistakes against them,” DeLizio said. “Whoever makes the most mistakes will be on the losing end of it.”
Ailing Tiger
Mercy senior pitcher Bri Sawicki is expected to return to action sometime later this week.
Sawicki collided with a defender in the first inning in a season opening loss to Foran. Sawicki, who didn’t hit her head on the play, stayed in for the entire game. It was later determined that Sawicki suffered a concussion and she hasn’t played since. It was the second concussion in the past year for Sawicki, who was involved in a car accident last autumn.
Mercy coach Jennifer Piazza Laffin said Sawicki will be back “probably middle of next week”.
The Tigers host Sheehan Monday and then travel to Sacred Heart Academy (Wednesday) and Cheshire (Friday).
After losing to East Haven, senior pitcher Sarah Flanagan has guided Mercy (3-2) to three straight wins.
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