Westies rally past Hand
Carrano, Santos lead WH to 8-6 win
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 4, 2019) - Sometimes it takes just one break before things start to snowball. Just ask the West Haven softball team.
Stymied over the first four innings, and with their undefeated season on the line, the Westies took off.
Scoring three times in the fifth inning and adding five more in the sixth, West Haven defeated Hand 8-6 in a Southern Connecticut Conference Quinnipiac Division contest Saturday afternoon in Madison.
With the victory, the Westies, ranked sixth in the GameTimeCT/Register Top 10 poll, are in the driver’s seat for the Quinnipiac Division title, and improved to 14-0 on the year.
Morgan Peryer (14) with a bunt single against Hand, May 4, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
“We have been saying that all year,” West Haven coach Joe Morrell said of his team taking advantage of its opportunities. “We did that today. Things did not go our way early today, and they had some hard hits. But, we know it is a long game and we were able to come back.”
Trailing 4-0 after four innings, the Westies used two hits, two Hand errors, a wild pitch, and an intentional walk to score three times.
Freshman Paige Beurer opened the inning with a single to center, Gigi Perkins reached on an error, and Ashlynn O’Keefe reached on a one-out error to load the bases. After Beurer scored on a wild pitch, the red-hot Kailey Carrano was intentionally walked to load the bases.
Ivy Santos made the Tigers pay. The junior ripped a single up the middle to score Perkins and O’Keefe to get West Haven within 4-3.
“I knew I needed a big hit there,” Santos said. “I was not trying to kill the ball. I just wanted to hit the ball hard. They walked a really good hitter in front of me, so I was just looking to hit the ball hard.”
Hand (7-6) rebounded in the bottom of the inning to increase the lead to 5-3, but the damage could have been worse. An apparent two-run single by Brooke Salutari only brought in Caroline O’Connor as the second runner failed to touch home plate and was ruled out after the play.
“We had opportunities,” Hand coach Mike Niekrash said. “We did not tack on runs and that is so big against a good team like them. “We had the opportunities, but did not cash in.”
With the momentum clearly shifted to the Westies despite Hand adding a run, West Haven took advantage in the sixth.
“That was the turning point of the game,” Morrell said of the fifth inning. “Kailey is such a strong hitter and Ivy is very good. This was a big game for us.”
Dianesse Rodriguez reached on an error to start the inning, then beat the throw to second on a grounder by Beurer to put a pair of runners on. With one out, leadoff hitter Morgan Peryer reached on a bunt single to load the bases, and O’Keefe reached on an error to score Rodriguez. Veronica Lynn followed with a long sacrifice fly to left to score Beurer with the equalizer, before the bats really came alive for West Haven.
With runners on second and third and the game even at five, Carrano ripped a laser off the fence in center to score Peryer and O’Keefe for a 7-5 lead. Santos then ripped a single to center to score Carrano for an 8-5 lead.
Kailey Carrano (20) with a key double against Hand, May 4, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
“We have come back before this year,” Carrano said. “I had to clear my head and just get a hit. We have so much confidence in each other.”
Hand answered with a run in the bottom of the sixth when Abby Cody led off with a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly by Grace Hartmann, but Santos retired the final four batters of the game, including the final two by strikeout.
The Tigers jumped on West Haven early and made it seem as if the 13-game win streak by the Westies would come to an end, scoring three times in the first inning and another in the third for a 4-0 lead.
O’Connor hit a two-run triple in the first and scored on a West Haven error for a 3-0 lead, before she doubled in the third to score Christina Coric, who led off with a triple to left.
Paige Beurer scores on a wild pitch against Hand May 4, 2019. Video courtesy of Mike Madera.
Ivy Santos 2-run single against Hand May 4, 2019. Video courtesy of Mike Madera.
Veronica Lynn sacrifice fly against Hand May 4, 2019. Video courtesy of Mike Madera.
Kailey Carrano 2-run double against Hand May 4, 2019. Video courtesy of Mike Madera.
Ivy Santos RBI single against Hand May 4, 2019. Video courtesy of Mike Madera.
Westies remain Perfect
Santos, Krajcir blank Hillhouse
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 7, 2019) - The West Haven softball team remained undefeated on the season in what seems to be a fitting way. Not only did the Westies improve to 15-0 with an identical 15-0 blanking of Hillhouse, the Westies did it in perfect style as Ivy Santos and Neve Krajcir needed just 49 pitches to toss a perfect game in a contest stopped due to the mercy rule.
Santos went the first four innings, needing just 35 pitches to strike out eight of the 12 batters she faced. Santos threw 30 of her 35 pitches for strikes.
Krajcir followed with an inning of perfect relief, striking out all three batters on 14 pitches, 12 of which were strikes.
Offensively, Morgan Peryer led a 12-hit attack with three hits and four runs scored, while Veronica Lynn had a pair of hits and four runs batted in, and Kasey Marron had two hits and scored a run.
The Westies led 1-0 after one, 4-0 after two, and blew the game open with nine runs in the fifth inning.
Peryer led off the game with a single, moved to second on a fielder's choice by Lynn and scored when Santos walked with the bases loaded.
The Westies increased the lead to 4-0 in the second as Dianesse Rodriguez led off with a walk, and Gigi Perkins and Peryer followed suit. Ashlynn O'Keefe singled to center to score a pair, and Kailey Carrano walked with the bases loaded for a 4-0 advantage.
Perkins singled to score Marron in the third, before West Haven erupted in the fifth. Lynn hit a two-run single for an 8-0 lead, Santos tripled in two more for a 10-0 advantage, and Krajcir increased the lead to 11-0 with a single to left to score Santos. Lynn added another 2-run single for a 14-0 lead.
Upper Hand
Tigers deal WH first loss of season
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 8, 2019) - The run is over for the West Haven softball team. After starting the season with 15 consecutive victories, the Westies were finally sent to defeat.
Just four days after rallying to defeat Hand in Madison, the Westies could not muster the same comeback as they fell to the Tigers 4-1 at Biondi Field in West Haven Wednesday evening.
Kailey Carrano against Hand, May 8, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
West Haven had eight hits in the game, but could not come up with the clutch hit. West Haven also made two errors, leading to a pair of unearned runs.
Ivy Santos went the distance, allowing eight hits and two earned runs, while striking out nine and walking three. Veronica Lynn and Kailey Carrano led the offense with two hits apiece, with Lynn driving in West Haven's lone run.
Kasey Marron against Hand, May 8, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Hand never trailed in the contest, taking a 1-0 lead in the first, and increasing the lead to a pair of runs in the third. After Lynn drove in Morgan Peryer with West Haven's only run in the third, Hand scored single runs in the fourth and seventh innings to put the game away.
West Haven had a big inning brewing in the first as Ashlynn O'Keefe, Lynn and Carrano hit one-out singles to load the bases, but Hand got a double play ball to end the frame.
Trailing 2-0, West Haven cut the deficit in half in the third as Peryer led off with a single and moved to third on a grounder to first. Lynn grounded to second to score Peryer and get West Haven within 2-1.
Carrano followed with a double, but Hand again escaped without further damage. The Tigers did the same in the fourth, stranding Kasey Marron at third.
Back on Track
Westies top East Haven
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 10, 2019) - The biggest test of the year for the West Haven softball team did not have to wait for the postseason. One game after losing their first contest of the year, the Westies rebounded with a 6-3 victory over East Haven Friday evening at Biondi Field in West Haven.
Gigi Perkins against East Haven, May 10, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
With the victory, West Haven improved to 16-1 on the year.
Dianesse Rodriguez led West Haven with two hits and two runs scored, Morgan Peryer had one hit and drove in three runs, while Ivy Santos had one hit, scored one run and drove in a run as well.
Santos went the distance, allowing four hits and two earned runs, while walking five and striking out nine.
The Westies took a 3-0 lead in the second inning, then increased the margin to 6-2 in the fourth.
Santos gave West Haven a 1-0 lead with a long homer to left to start the second, before Kasey Marron walked, Rodriguez singled, and both advanced on a sacrifice by Paige Beurer. Peryer then came up with the big hit as her two-out single scored a pair for a 3-0 advantage.
Ivy Santos (19) after her homer against East Haven, May 10, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
After East Haven scored twice in the third, the Westies added three more runs in the fourth.
Rodriguez led off with a single to left, Beurer singled to center, and Neve Krajcir grounded out to score Rodriguez. Peryer then delivered Beurer with a fly ball to left, and Ashlynn O'Keefe later scored on an error.
Two in a Row
Peryer, Lynn lead WH past Guilford
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 15, 2019) - The West Haven softball team won its second straight contest with a 6-3 decision over Guilford Wednesday evening at Biondi Field in West Haven. The victory helped the Westies improve to 17-1 on the year.
Dianesse Rodriguez led the offense with two runs batted in, while Morgan Peryer and Veronica Lynn each had a pair of hits. Ivy Santos went the distance in the pitching circle, allowing four hits, while walking four and striking out six. Santos did not allow an earned run.
Neve Krajcir against Guilford, May 15, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Trailing 2-1, West Haven evened the contest with a run in the third, then scored four times in the sixth inning to take a 6-2 lead. West Haven took a 1-0 lead in the first when Ashlynn O'Keefe singled with one out, Lynn bunted and reached on an error to send O'Keefe to third, and Kailey Carrano hit a sacrifice fly to center to score O'Keefe.
After Guilford took a 2-1 lead in the second, the Westies evened the game in the third. Peryer led off with a single, and scored on Lynn's one-out triple to center.
Veronica Lynn against Guilford, May 15, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
After going down quietly in the next two innings, West Haven scored four times in the sixth. Lynn led off with a single, Santos walked with one out, and Kasey Marron singled to center to score Lynn.
With two runners in scoring position, Rodriguez singled to right to plate Santos and Marron for a 5-2 lead. Peryer delivered the final run of the inning when she reached on an error to score Rodriguez.
Amity tops Westies
Errors costly in 6-3 loss
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 16, 2019) - Sloppy softball is not the answer for successful results in the postseason. The West Haven softball team is starting to see that.
After opening the season with 15 consecutive victories, West Haven has split its next four games. The latest loss came Thursday evening when the Westies committed six errors and fell to Amity 6-3 at Biondi Field in West Haven.
West Haven (17-2) never led in the game and watched a late rally fall just short.
Kasey Marron against Amity, May 16, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Veronica Lynn led West Haven with two hits and two runs batted in, while Morgan Peryer had two hits and scored a run.
Amity took advantage of West Haven's inability to get a clutch hit early, then used sloppy defense by the Westies to take a 6-0 lead with two runs in the fourth, one in the fifth, and three more in the sixth.
West Haven rallied for three runs in the seventh and had the tying run at the plate, but could not get a big hit.
Morgan Peryer against Amity, May 16, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Paige Beurer led off the seventh with a walk, Morgan Peryer singled with one out, and with two runners in scoring position, Veronica Lynn singled to score Beurer, and Peryer also scored on the play. Kailey Carrano doubled to score Lynn and get the Westies within 6-3, before Ivy Santos was intentionally walk to bring up the tying run. West Haven could not cash in and dropped its second game of the year.
West Haven had opportunities to score from the start, but never got the big hit.
In the first, O'Keefe reached on an error with one out, and Lynn singled to right, but both were left stranded. In the third, Neve Krajcir reached on an error to start the frame, Peryer walked, and O'Keefe sacrificed both into scoring position. Both were again left stranded.
Santos was stranded at third in the fourth, and West Haven stranded a pair in the fifth as well.
Westies blank Hillhouse
WH ends regular season with 18-2 record
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 17, 2019) - After cruising through the initial 15 games of the regular season, the West Haven softball team has had to battle over the last five contests. With a split in its previous four games, West Haven was looking to close the regular season with a victory.
Behind a 14-hit attack, West Haven rolled to a 12-0 victory over Hillhouse on Senior Night Friday evening at Biondi Field in West Haven.
West Haven against Hillhouse, May 17, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Morgan Peryer, Kailey Carrano, and Kasey Marron each had three hits, while Ivy Santos and Danielle Pinkett each had two hits. Carrano drove in five runs, Peryer and Olivia Hauer each drove in two, while Carrano scored three runs and Veronica Lynn scored twice.
The Westies put the game away early with six runs in the first inning, and capped the contest with four more runs in the fifth.
West Haven against Wilbur Cross, May 17, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
In the first, Ashlynn O'Keefe reached on a one-out walk, Lynn reached on an error and stole second, before both scored on a single by Carrano. With two outs Marron singled, Hauer singled to score Carrano, with Marron also scoring on the throw, before Peryer capped the rally with a two-out single to score Hauer and Miranda Burrows.
Carrano gave West Haven a 7-0 lead in the second with a homer to center, Lynn walked to force in a run in the third for an 8-0 advantage, and West Haven put the game away with four runs in the fifth.
Peryer led off with a single, Lynn reached on a one-out error, and both scored on Carrano's double to left. Carrano scored on an error, and Marron singled to score Santos for the 12-0 final.
Amity foils Westies Again
Spartans top WH 4-1 in SCC quarterfinals
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 20, 2019) - Less than a week after sending West Haven to just its second loss of the season, Amity doubled up. In a game stopped after six plus innings due to inclement weather, No. 6 Amity topped No. 3 West Haven 4-1 at Biondi Field in West Haven Monday afternoon.
With the loss, West Haven (18-3) will now wait until the state tournament begins next week to get back on track. West Haven has gone 3-3 since opening the season at 15-0.
West Haven against Amity in the SCC quarterfinals, May 20, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Kailey Carrano led the Westies with three of the team's six hits, while also driving in the lone run. Ivy Santos allowed four earned runs on nine hits, while striking out seven and walking one in 6 1/3 innings of work.
As has been the case during West Haven's .500 run over the last six games, the lack of clutch hitting was the key. Each time West Haven threatened, Amity was able to escape.
The only run West Haven put on the board came in the first inning as Veronica Lynn walked with two outs, stole second, and scored on Carrano's single to left.
Paige Beurer makes the tag against Amity in the SCC quarterfinals, May 20, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Amity put together its own two-out rally in the second for a 2-1 lead, which would hold up for the rest of the game.
Morgan Peryer singled to right with one out in the second, and stole second, but was left stranded. Carrano led off the fourth with a single, but West Haven stranded a runner on second in the inning.
The Westies had another opportunity to even the game in the fifth. Paige Beurer led off with a walk, moved to second on a sacrifice by Gigi Perkins, and third on a bunt single by Ashlynn O'Keefe, but West Haven left two runners in scoring position after O'Keefe stole second.
Amity added two in the sixth for a 4-1 lead, before West Haven looked to rally again.
Carrano led off the bottom of the sixth with a double, and Kasey Marron singled with one out to put runners on the corners. After Beurer walked with two outs to load the bases, Amity again got out of the inning when Perkins lined out to end the frame.
Ridgefield Stuns Westies
Tigers end season for WH
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 31, 2019) - The Ridgefield softball team may be thinking about a new nickname. Cinderella may be the best of the list.
After needing two days to post a mild upset over Greenwich in the opening round of the Class LL state tournament, the 19th-seeded Tigers used a conventional method in the second round.
Behind the solid pitching of sophomore Alyssa DeStefano, clutch hitting, and sure fielding, Ridgefield upset third-seeded West Haven 5-0 at Biondi Field in West Haven Friday afternoon.
West Haven against Ridgefield, May 31, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
“These girls love the game,” Ridgefield coach Lauren Greywacz said. “They believe in each other. We came out here to get it done and we did. We pulled together and made the plays we had to make. We stepped up.”
For West Haven (18-4), one of the best seasons in recent memory will also go down as one of the most disappointing as the Westies opened the season with 15 consecutive victories, before losing four of their last seven, including losses in the opening rounds of both the Southern Connecticut Conference and state tournaments.
“They did everything they could to win,” West Haven coach Joe Morrell said of Ridgefield. “Their pitcher (DeStefano) was unbelievable today. She kept the ball out of the zone. They made the plays and got the hits.”
For Ridgefield, the win continued a season turnaround as the Tigers opened the year with just one win in their first seven contests.
“The season did not start so great,” Ridgefield’s Sabrina Grizzaffi said. “But, we came together. We knew they are a great team. We came into this as just another normal game.”
Veronica Lynn (l.) and Kailey Carrano (r.) against Ridgefield, May 31, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Grizzaffi opened the game for Ridgefield with a single, before West Haven pitcher Ivy Santos hit the next two batters to load the bases.
Skylar Arent singled to left to score Grizzaffi, and DeStefano followed with a sacrifice fly to right for a 2-0 lead.
That was all DeStefano would need as she went the distance, allowing just two hits and two walks, while striking out seven.
“I just took it one pitch at a time,” DeStefano said. “We did not want to get ahead of ourselves. I knew I had my defense behind me.”
West Haven had two solid scoring opportunities in the game, but could not capitalize.
In the first, Ashlynn O’Keefe and Veronica Lynn drew one-out walks, but DeStefano got Kailey Carrano on a fielder’s choice, and struck out Santos to end the threat.
Trailing 5-0 in the sixth, the Westies had their final threat as Morgan Peryer singled to lead off the inning and Lynn reached on an error to put runners on the corners. The threat came to a sudden end as a hard-hit ball by Carrano was turned into an inning-ending double play.
“These girls have made us proud all year,” Morrell said. “They put West Haven softball back on the map. We wish we could have finished on a better note. We scored a lot of runs this year. Unfortunately, we did not score enough runs at the end.”
Ridgefield took a 4-0 lead in the fourth inning when Lauren Bayer scored on a wild pitch and Alexandra Kinkead scored on a single to center by Claire Filaski.
Kinkead scored the final run in the sixth when she reached on an error, went to second on a passed ball, and scored on an error while attempting to steal third.
Grizzaffi and Kinkead led Ridgefield with two hits apiece.
Santos went the distance for West Haven, allowing two earned runs on eight hits. Santos walked two and struck out six.
THE HOME OF WEST HAVEN SPORTS
SOFTBALL 2019
All-State Players - Stacey Dixon '93; Tammy Hackley '93; Kim DeMayo '94; Angelina Sousa '94; Shannon Curren '95; Laurie DelGrego '98; Liz Vaccino '98; Lindsay Connor '03; Vicci Duane '04; Krystle Denny '04; Shannon Connor '09, '10; Elaina Maio '10; Joanna Fekieta '11; Camdyn Morgillo '13; Kial Watts '15
Retired Numbers - Tammy Hackley (Class of 1993) #13
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WestieBlue
Westies top Hamden in opener
WH rolls to 21-6 win
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(March 30, 2019) - Looking for a strong start to the 2019 season, the West Haven softball team received just what the doctor ordered. Pounding out 14 hits to go along with 10 walks, West Haven opened the 2019 season with a convincing 21-6 victory over Hamden at Hamden High Saturday morning.
West Haven celebrates a homey Kailey Carrano against Hamden, March 30, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Four players had multiple hits, seven players scored multiple runs, and four different players drove in multiple runs to support the complete game of effort of junior Ivy Santos in the pitching circle. Santos allowed three earned runs, while striking out nine and walking four.
The top five batters in the order for West Haven combined for 13 hits, 14 runs batted in, and 15 runs scored. Clean up hitter Kailey Carrano led the way with four hits, four runs scored and five runs batted in, while leadoff batter Morgan Peryer had three hits, scored four runs and drove in three.
Ashlynn O’Keefe had two hits and two runs scored, Veronica Lynn scored three times, and Santos had three hits, drove in four, and scored a pair. Santos and Carrano each homered in the contest, while Carrano doubled twice and Santos once. Freshman Paige Beurer walked three times and scored three times as well in the win.
Veronica Lynn scores against Hamden, March 30, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
West Haven took control of the game from the start, scoring twice in the first inning and adding six more in the second for an 8-0 lead.
Peryer opened the game with a single, advanced on a sacrifice by O’Keefe, and scored on a single by Lynn. Carrano then doubled to score Lynn for a 2-0 lead.
After Hamden went down without scoring in the first, West Haven blew the game open in the second with six more runs.
Beurer, GiGi Perkins and Neve Krajcir walked to open the frame, Peryer hit into a fielder’s choice to score Beurer, O’Keefe singled to score Perkins, and Peryer scored on a wild pitch. Carrano doubled to score O’Keefe, and Santos hit a two-run homer to center for an 8-0 advantage.
Leading 8-1, West Haven put the game away with three runs in each of the fourth and fifth innings. In the fourth, Lynn and Carrano were hit by pitches to open the frame, Lynn scored on a wild pitch, Carrano scored on a ground out by Beurer, and Dianesse Rodriguez scored on a passed ball.
West Haven increased the lead to 14-1 in the fifth. Peryer and O’Keefe hit one-out singles, Carrano singled to score Peryer, and Santos doubled to score Lynn and Carrano.
Carrano started a six-run seventh with a leadoff homer to left.
Westies blank O'Brien Tech
WH posts 16-0 win
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 1, 2019) - The West Haven softball team improved to 2-0 with a 16-0 victory over O'Brien Tech Monday afternoon at Biondi Field in West Haven. With the win, West Haven has scored 37 runs in its first two games of the season.
While the Westies used a 12-hit attack, coupled with seven walks for their offense, it was the pitching of West Haven which stood out as three pitchers combined on a 5-inning perfect game as the game was stopped due to the mercy rule.
Neve Krajcir (4) against O'Brien Tech, April 1, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Ivy Santos picked up the win as she tossed the first three innings, striking out eight, while Neve Krajcir and Miranda Burrows each tossed one inning with three strikeouts apiece.
Santos also led the offense with three hits, three runs batted in, and three runs scored. Morgan Peryer, Ashlynn O'Keefe, and Veronica Lynn each had two hits with O'Keefe and Lynn each scoring three times, and Peryer scoring twice.
West Haven took a 4-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back. The Westies then scored six more in the second and three in each of the third and fourth innings.
Ashlynn O'Keefe (3) against O'Brien Tech, April 1, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Peryer led off the game with a single, O'Keefe walked and Carrano reached on an error to score Peryer. Santos followed with a double to score O'Keefe and Carrano, before a single by Dianesse Rodriguez scored Santos.
In the second, Peryer, O'Keefe and Lynn singled to load the bases to start the inning, before Carrano singled to score Peryer. A single by Santos scored O'Keefe, and Lynn scored on a fielder's choice by Rodriguez. Paige Beurer singled to score Santos, an error scored Rodriguez and a single by O'Keefe scored Gigi Perkins for a 10-0 lead.
Westies top Guilford
WH improves to 3-0
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 3, 2019) - The West Haven softball team picked up its third straight victory to open the season, topping Guilford 7-2 in Guilford Wednesday afternoon.
The Westies used the same formula which has helped the team to a 3-0 start as they got a bunch of hits with 15 in the game, and stellar pitching.
As has been the case in the young season, several players had multiple hits as Kailey Carrano led the way with three hits, while Ashlynn O'Keefe, Ivy Santos, Dianesse Rodriguez and Gigi Perkins each had a pair.
Santos was also the star in the pitching circle with a complete game effort, allowing six hits and one earned run, while striking out six and walking one.
Morgan Peryer opened the game with a single, moved to second on a passed ball, and scored on a two out single by Carrano for a 1-0 lead in the first. After Guilford evened the game in the second, West Haven took a 2-1 lead in the third on a homer to center by Veronica Lynn.
West Haven took a 4-1 lead in the fourth as Perkins doubled to lead off the inning, advanced to third on a grounder to second by Peryer, and scored on a fly ball by O'Keefe.
Lynn, followed with a walk, moved to third on a single by Carrano and scored on a single by Santos.
The lead increased to 6-1 in the fifth as Rodriguez and Perkins singled to put runners on the corners, and Peryer singled to score Rodriguez.
Westies roll past Darien
WH runs to 14-2 win
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 6, 2019) - West Haven coach Joe Morrell talked about the importance of getting out to a quick start. His team has heard the message.
Using another thunderous offensive attack, pounding 12 hits to go along with six walks, West Haven improved to 4-0 with a 14-2 road victory over Darien Saturday afternoon.
Kailey Carrano led the Westies with three hits, four runs scored and three runs batted in, while Ivy Santos had three hits, drove in three more, and scored once.
Kasey Marron added two hits, drove in three, and scored once, while Ashlynn O'Keefe scored three times and Veronica Lynn scored twice.
As has been the case all season, West Haven jumped out to an early lead, then used a big inning to put the game away.
The Westies took a 2-0 lead in the first inning as Lynn reached on a two-out error and scored on a single by Carrano, before Santos tripled to score Carrano.
Leading by a run, West Haven increased the margin to 4-1 in the third.
O'Keefe and Lynn started the inning with singles, O'Keefe stole home and Lynn scored on a single to right by Santos.
The Westies put the game away with eight runs in the fifth.
Carrano led off with a walk, Santos singled, and Marron singled to drive home a pair. Dianesse Rodriguez singled, Paige Beurer reached on an error, Marron scored on a wild pitch, and Rodriguez did the same for an 8-1 lead.
Another wild pitch scored Beurer, and Carrano doubled to center to score Perkins and O'Keefe. When Marron singled to center, Carrano scored and West Haven led 12-1.
Leading 12-2, West Haven capped the scoring in the seventh when Santos grounded out to score O'Keefe, and Marron reached on an error to score Carrano.
Santos went the distance in the pitching circle, allowing two earned runs on five hits, while striking out 10 and walking one.
High Five
WH tops EH to improve to 5-0
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 9, 2019) - Five games in, five games won. With the goal of qualifying for the state tournament as early as possible, the West Haven softball team is well on its way.
Behind a 9-hit attack and a six-runs inning, West Haven defeated East Haven 9-5 Tuesday afternoon in East Haven.
"The girls have made it a mission to earn some respect this year and they know they have to go out and prove it every single day in practice and in games," West Haven coach Joe Morrell said. "So far this year, we have been a complete team."
Ashlynn O'Keefe, Kailey Carrano, Veronica Lynn and Gigi Perkins led the offense with two hits apiece, while Carrano drove in three runs, and Lynn and O'Keefe each drove in a pair.
West Haven took a 2-0 lead in the first inning as Peryer led off with a triple and scored on a single by O'Keefe, who later scored on an error.
After East Haven evened the game in the bottom half of the inning, the Westies took a 3-2 lead in the second when Perkins singled to score Dianesse Rodriguez, who had walked.
The Westies pulled away in the fourth with six runs.
Rodriguez and Paige Beurer led off with walks, Peryer drew a one out walk to load the bases, and O'Keefe singled to score Rodriguez for a 4-2 lead.
Lynn singled to score Beurer and Peryer for a 6-2 advantage, and Carrano blasted a 3-run homer to center for a 9-2 lead.
Ivy Santos went the distance, allowing eight hits and three earned runs, while striking out nine and walking four.
Santos blanks Amity
WH tops Amity 3-0
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 10, 2019) - It just keeps getting better for the West Haven softball team. Led by the pitching of Ivy Santos and some timely hitting, West Haven topped Amity 3-0 in a Southern Connecticut Conference contest in Woodbridge Wednesday afternoon.
Santos picked up her sixth win of the season, tossing a complete game shutout, allowing three hits while striking out seven.
With Santos blanking the Spartans, the West Haven offense did the rest. Ashlynn O'Keefe, Kailey Carrano and Dianesse Rodriguez each had a pair of hits, while Kailey Carrano scored twice and Kasey Marron drove in a pair.
West Haven took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Carrano led off with a homer to center. The Westies increased the lead to three runs in the third inning.
O'Keefe led off with a single, Carrano hit a one out single and Marron hit a two-out double to left to score O'Keefe and Carrano for a 3-0 advantage.
Santos did the rest as she allowed just two runners the rest of the way, including a leadoff single in the seventh.
Seventh Heaven
WH rallies to top Law
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 12, 2019) - Silenced for six innings, the West Haven softball team was looking at the end of an unbeaten start to the season. Then the seventh inning took place.
Scoring four times in the seventh, West Haven rallied for a 4-1 victory over Jonathan Law in Milford Friday afternoon. With the win, the Westies improved to 7-0 on the year.
West Haven celebrates Morgan Peryer (14) scoring the go-ahead run in the seventh inning against Law, April 12, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Gigi Perkins opened the seventh inning with a walk, Morgan Peryer followed with a single to right, and Ashlynn O'Keefe followed with a single to score Perkins with the tying run.
Veronica Lynn reached on an error to score Peryer, and Kailey Carrano hit into a double play to score O'Keefe.
Santos singled with two outs, and Kasey Marron followed with a double for a 4-1 lead.
Ashlynn O'keefe (3) scores in the seventh inning against Law, April 12, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Law got a one out single in the bottom of the inning, but Ivy Santos got the last two out to preserve the comeback.
The Westies stranded runners throughout the game and looked as if they would suffer their initial loss of the year.
O'Keefe singled and stole second in the first, Marron singled and Paige Beurer walked in the second, and Carrano singled and Marron walked in the fourth, but all were stranded.
An error and a wild pitch helped Law take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the inning, before Peryer singled and stole third, but was left stranded in the fifth.
Santos and Marron each singled with one out in the sixth, but the Westies could not capitalize.
Eight is Enough
WH qualifies for postseason
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 17, 2019) - It turns out the West Haven softball team needed just eight games to reach one of its goals. By defeating Lyman Hall 11-3 in Wallingford Wednesday afternoon, West Haven qualified for the postseason with its eighth straight victory to open the year.
Ivy Santos not only had a big day pitching, allowing just one earned run on six hits, while striking out eight and walking two, she came up just as big at the plate. Santos had three hits, drove in five runs and scored one as West Haven led from the start.
West Haven celebrates a grand slam by Ivy Santos against Lyman Hall, April 17, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
The Westies led 2-0 after one, 4-2 after two, 9-2 after four and 11-3 after six.
Veronica Lynn had three hits and scored four runs, Morgan Peryer had two hits, drove in two and scored one, while Gigi Perkins added a pair of hits and scored once.
Kailey Carrano against Lyman Hall, April 17, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Peryer opened the game with a single to left, moved to second on a sacrifice by Ashlynn O'Keefe, and scored on a single by Lynn. Lynn scored as part of a double steal for a 2-0 advantage.
West Haven took a 4-0 lead in the second. Dianesse Rodriguez singled with one out, Paige Beurer followed suit, and Peryer followed with a two-run single.
Up by two runs, West Haven increased the margin to three runs in the third. Lynn reached on an error, Santos singled, and Kasey Marron singled to score Lynn.
West Haven added four runs in the fourth to blow the game open as Perkins singled, O'Keefe walked with one out, Lynn singled to load the bases, and Santos hit a grand slam to center.
The Westies capped their scoring in the sixth when Kailey Carrano doubled to score Lynn, and Santos singled to score Carrano.
Nine Down
WH improves to 9-0 with win over Trojans
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 18, 2019) - It sure did not start the way West Haven would have liked, but Thursday morning's contest against Lyman Hall ended just the same as West Haven's initial eight games and that was with a victory.
Rallying from a four-run deficit with three runs in the bottom of the first inning, three more in the third, and five in the sixth, West Haven defeated Lyman Hall for the second straight day by a score of 12-5 at Biondi Field in West Haven.
The win, which saw West Haven pound out 12 hits, including two by Veronica Lynn for 100 in her career, raised West Haven's record to 9-0 on the season.
Veronica Lynn picked up her 100th career hit against Lyman Hall, April 18, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Lynn also scored four runs, Kailey Carrano had four hits, drove in four and scored twice, Ivy Santos added two hits, drove in a pair and scored twice, and Paige Beurer had two hits and drove in a pair.
Santos was also solid in the pitching circle. The West Haven pitcher allowed eight hits, while striking out seven. Santos did not allow an earned run as the Westies committed four errors.
Trailing 4-0 before they even came to bat, the Westies cut the deficit to one in the bottom of the inning.
Ashlyn O'Keefe reached on a one-out error, Lynn singled, O'Keefe scored on a passed ball, and Lynn scored on a double by Carrano. When Santos reached on an error, Carrano scored, and West Haven was within a run.
The Westies took the lead for good with three runs in the third inning. O'Keefe again started the rally with a single, Lynn reached on an error, and Carrano again doubled to score O'Keefe and Lynn for a 5-4 lead. Santos followed with a single to put runners on the corners, Kasey Marron walked to load the bases, and Beurer singled to score the third run of the inning.
Kasey Marron (17) against Lyman Hall, April 18, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
West Haven increased its lead to 7-4 in the fourth as Lynn singled with two outs, Carrano followed with a single to put runners on the corners, and Lynn scored as part of a double steal for a 7-4 advantage.
The Westies put the game away with five more runs in the sixth. O'Keefe reached on a one-out error, Lynn hit into a fielder's choice to move O'Keefe to second, and Carrano singled to score O'Keefe.
Santos doubled to score Carrano, Dianesse Rodriguez singled to score Santos for an 11-4 lead, and Buerer singled to score Rodriguez for the final run of the inning.
Perfect 10
WH improves to 10-0 with win over Shelton
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 23, 2019) - The beat goes on. Despite not playing it's best softball, the West Haven softball team rallied to defeat Shelton 11-4 on the road Tuesday afternoon to improve to 10-0 on the season.
"We started off slow, but we were able to come back," West Haven coach Joe Morrell said. "Our hitting just continues to do its job. We got a lot of big hits today from different people."
As has been the case all season long, it was the West Haven offense which led to the victory as the Westies pounded out 15 hits to go along with five walks.
Kailey Carrano led the way with four hits, including the 100th of her career, drove in four runs and scored twice.
Kailey Carrano picked up her 100th career hit against Shelton, April 23, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Morgan Peryer had four hits, drove in two, and scored a pair, Veronica Lynn had two hits and scored three runs, while Ivy Santos had two hits and drove in a run.
West Haven trailed 2-0 after one, but scored three in the third, one in the fourth, another in the fifth, and three in each of the sixth and seventh innings to rally for another victory.
After stranding two in the second, West Haven took a 3-2 lead in the third. Peryer hit a one out single, O'Keefe reached on an error, and Peryer scored on an error. Carrano launched a double to center, scoring O'Keefe and Lynn for a 3-2 lead.
Peryer singled in the fourth to score Paige Beurer, and Kasey Marron singled in the fifth to score Carrano.
In the sixth, Peryer doubled with one out, Lynn knocked in a run with a triple to center, and scored on a single by Carrano.
Perkins and Peryer opened with triples in the seventh, Peryer scored the second run on a wild pitch, and Carrano doubled to score Lynn.
Westies top Hamden
Carrano, Beurer lead WH to 14-1 win
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 24, 2019) - The streak goes on for the West Haven softball team. Behind four hits and five runs batted in from Kailey Carrano, and two hits and three runs batted in from Paige Beurer, the Westies defeated Hamden 14-1 in a game stopped after six innings due to the mercy rule Wednesday evening at Biondi Field.
Kailey Carrano (20) meets her teammates after her homer against Hamden, April 24, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
West Haven led 5-1 going into the sixth, before pouring on nine runs in the inning. The Westies had 14 hits in the contest.
Ivy Santos continued to pitch well, allowing one unearned run on two hits, while striking out nine. Santos did not walk a batter.
Morgan Peryer also hit well in the game as she had two hits, scored twice and drove in a pair. Ashlynn O'Keefe scored three runs, Veronica Lynn had two hits and scored twice, while Kasey Marron added two hits and two runs scored.
Morgan Peryer (14) against Hamden, April 24, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
West Haven took a 2-0 lead in the first inning as Peryer singled, stole second, went to third on a passed ball, and scored on O'Keefe's fly ball to center. Lynn walked and scored on a double by Carrano for a 2-0 lead.
The Westies increased the lead to 3-0 in the second as O'Keefe singled with two outs and scored on a double by Lynn.
After leaving runners on base in the third and fourth innings, West Haven took a 5-0 lead in the fifth with two more runs.
Carrano started the rally with a double, and scored on a single by Marron. After Dianesse Rodriguez walked, Beurer singled to right to score Marron.
Hamden got on the board in the top of the sixth, but West Haven ended the contest with nine runs in the bottom of the inning.
O'Keefe led off with a walk and scored on Carrano's homer to left for a 7-1 lead. Santos walked, Marron singled, and Beurer singled with two outs to score Santos for a 9-1 lead. Perkins followed with a single and Peryer tripled to knock in two more.
O'Keefe reached on an error to score Peryer for a 12-1 advantage, before Carrano ended the game with a two-run double to left.
Westies run past Law
Winning streak reaches 12
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 29, 2019) - The streak continues. Making the most of their five hits, West Haven extended its winning streak to start the season to twelve games with a 3-1 victory over Jonathan Law Monday evening at Biondi Field in West Haven.
West Haven improved to 12-0 against Jonathan Law, April 29, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Ashlynn O'Keefe scored twice, including once in the first and fifth innings, and the heart of the order, Veronica Lynn, Kailey Carrano, and Ivy Santos, each drove in a run for the Westies.
Santos again pitched well, allowing one earned run on six hits, while walking one and striking out seven.
West Haven, which needed a last inning rally to defeat Law in their first meeting of the year, wasted no time in this contest as the Westies scored twice in the first inning and never looked back.
Paige Beurer (5) against Jonathan Law, April 29, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Morgan Peryer opened the first inning with a walk, O'Keefe followed with a single to right, and each advanced to scoring position on an error. Lynn singled to score Peryer, and Santos hit a one-out single to score O'Keefe.
After West Haven stranded two in the third, Law cut deficit in half in the fifth. The Westies responded in the bottom of the inning.
O'Keefe again was at the center of the rally as she led off with a walk, moved to second on a sacrifice by Lynn, and scored on a double to right by Carrano.
Westies blank Shelton
Lucky number 13
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 2, 2019) - The West Haven softball team keeps rolling along. Behind the pitching of Ivy Santos and the hitting of Paige Beurer, West Haven topped Shelton 8-0 at Biondi Field in West Haven Thursday afternoon. With the victory, West Haven improved to 13-0 on the year.
Read below from Mike Suppe of GameTimeCT.
WEST HAVEN — The West Haven softball team continued their perfect start to its 2019 campaign on Thursday afternoon, shutting out Shelton, 8-0, in a Southern Connecticut Conference contest at Frank Biondi Field.
Freshman Paige Beurer, the eighth-place batter, provided all the offense the Blue Devils would need, going 2-for-3 with a triple, a single and four runs batted in.
“Paige had a couple of big hits and made a couple of really nice plays in the field,” West Haven head coach Joe Morrell said. “It’s important for the bottom of the order to put the ball in play and that’s what they did today.”
Junior pitcher Ivy Santos took care of the rest from the circle, scattering three hits and striking out seven. Santos also picked up the victory in the Westies’ 11-4 win at Shelton on April 23, but that day the Gaelettes swung the bats much more effectively — collecting 13 hits.
West Haven played solid defense against Shelton, May 2, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
“Last time, they hit her really well,” Morrell said. “Ivy took that a little personally and she went out there and did a good job today.”
West Haven, which improved to 13-0, also capitalized on some porous Shelton defense that resulted in four errors.
Two of those miscues came in the bottom of the first, starting when Veronica Lynn reached on an infield error with one on and one out.
Kailey Carrano followed with a towering RBI double to the left-center field gap off Shelton starter Julia Krijgsman. After Santos walked, K.C. Marron’s pop to right field was misplayed, allowing Lynn to score to make it 2-0.
Kailey Carrano and West Haven played solid defense against Shelton, May 2, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
“It was a little shaky today,” head coach Joann Desrochers said of the Shelton glovework. “And they (the Blue Devils) are not going to make mistakes.”
A defensive gem from Shelton’s Alexis Resto at first base did result in a double play that allowed Krijgsman to elude further damage in the first. Resto went low to snare a liner off the bat of DeeDee Rodriguez and tagged first, completing the inning-ending double play.
Santos retired eight in a row after allowing two runners to reach in the top of the first. She walked Krijgsman and hit Resto with a pitch, sandwiched around a called third strike to Bry Heuser, to start the fourth.
Beurer then corralled Anna Leone’s foul pop in shallow right with a nice catch up against the fence and Emily Renkowski flied out to center, allowing West Haven to hold onto its 2-0 edge.
“When we got people on base, we couldn’t capitalize on it,” Desrochers said.
The Westies put the game away in the home half of the fourth, with Beurer slicing a two-run triple over Leone’s head in center to push margin to 5-0. Beurer came around to score on Shelton’s third error of the game.
“I think when we start making errors in the field, it affects our batting. And vice versa.” Desrochers said.
An RBI groundout from Santos, followed by a two-out, two-run single to left by Beurer in the bottom of the fifth closed out the scoring.
“Shelton is a young team that swings the bat,” Morrell said. “It was a good win for us.”
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