Wildcats Softball Overpowers Shelton 7-1

The Bethel Wildcats Softball team started off the 2011 campaign with a win over Shelton 7-1 at Kasack Field in Bethel.  Yesenia Evaristo earned the win with a complete game.

Shelton’s bats started out more consistently as they got their leadoff batter aboard, and were able to advance them to scoring position with their second at bat of the game. Evaristo settled down and was able to pitch her way out of the inning, getting the last out by way of a strikeout. 

The third inning saw the first scoring of the game. After getting the first two outs of the inning, Evaristo walked a batter to give Shelton a baserunner.  The runner advanced to second on a stolen base. Rachel Cataudella’s bloop double that fell between the second baseman and outfielder, scoring the Gaels only run of the game. 

Bethel came back in the bottom of the inning and looked to grab the momentum, and the lead, by loading the bases with nobody out.  Nikki Meadows grounded into a fielder’s choice with the Gaels bringing the ball to the plate to get the runner by force out. Evaristo popped out, and Sherry Senger struck out to end the threat for the Wildcats.

Shelton, however, would not be able to keep the Wildcats’ bats silent for much longer.  After a scoreless fourth inning, Bethel got on the board in a big way in the fifth inning.  Alyssa Martinez led off the fifth by reaching base on an error, and made her way to second on the play.  Rachel Barton doubled to have runners at second and third.  That set up Meadows to drive home both batters with a double to give the Wildcats’ a lead they would not relinquish. 

The Wildcats would tack on another four runs in the inning to take control of the game with a 6-1 lead. Senger drove home two of the insurance runs with a long 2 RBI double in the inning.  The Wildcats’ speed out of the batter’s box allowed them to beat the throw on several infield hits to keep the inning alive, and put more runs on the scoreboard.

Bethel would add on one more run in the sixth inning to take a 7-1 lead, and Evaristo would close out Gaels to get the win.  She ended up with 9 strikeouts, 2 walks, and scattered 7 hits.  She went 2-4 from the plate. 

Martinez went 2-3, Barton and Senger both went 2-4.  Evaristo, Rosie O’Neil and Emily Defazio all registered stolen bases in the game.

Coach Lynn Fenn has high hopes for the season. “I am pleased with how they did.  We’re continuing to work out some kinks, and we’ll continue to work all season long on improving,” she said.

“We started to get some hits here and there, and then Sherry gets up and hits a nice double,” said Fenn of their fifth inning rally.  “So sometimes those things snowball and everyone loosens up and relaxes a little bit.” 

Off season work by the battery of Evaristo and catcher Defazio should make for a difficult time for opposing batters throughout the season according to Fenn.

“Yesenia has been working all winter long on her pitching.  Emily has been working all winter long as a new catcher," Fenn said. "The two of them looked very good.  Yesenia had the ball moving, and she was keeping them off balance."

Martinez should give their lineup some variety batting from the left side of the plate. 

“I think Alyssa showed some real potential getting up there and going lefty.  That was a first for her," Fenn said.  "It’s going to be valuable to have someone up there to be able to put down a slap, or put down a bunt.”

Fenn also praised the batting of senior Senger, and looks to have her as a key to success this season. She said: “Sherry came back as a senior, and she can really hit the ball. I know she was upset with the bases loaded at bat (an inning ending strikeout).  She came back in the fifth to drive in two runs with a long double." 

“Everyone is working hard, we have a good group,” Fenn said. "All good signs for a successful season."

The Wildcats are on the road at Warde in Fairfield tomorrow at 4 p.m.  The next home game is April 15 against Newtown.