Darien Softball Takes Over Second Place in FCIAC

The Darien High School softball team defeated Fairfield Warde, 5-3, Thursday afternoon to take over sole possession of second place in the FCIAC.

The Blue Wave (13-2, 12-2 FCIAC) came out strong, erupting with four runs in the bottom of the first inning.

Junior shortstop Nicole Buch, the leadoff hitter, opened the inning with a walk and advanced on a sacrifice by sophomore Emily Blosio

Two more sophomores—Olivia Godz and Courtney Bell—followed with singles to produce the game's first run. Kelly Fahey then drilled a  line drive off the leg of Warde pitcher Gina Treglia to make it 2-0.

Sophomore pitcher Jessica DeMaio capped the big inning with a two-run, bases-clearing double that gave the Blue Wave an early 4-0 cushion.

"This game was a vital win," senior captain Michele Piccaro said, "because it determined our seed in the FCIAC."

Darien still has four league games remaining, but if the Blue Wave wins out, they will assure themselves of no lower than the No. 2 seed for the FCIAC playoffs.

DeMaio, who finished with three RBIs, scattered six hits with six strikeouts and three walks.

Treglia settled down, and the Mustangs (13-3, 11-3) battled back, scoring twice in the second and once in the third to pull within 4-3. But in the fifth, Bell doubled and scored an insurance run for the Blue Wave.

The Darien squad is next in action on Saturday, when its host Danbury in a makeup game at 12:30 p.m.

On Monday, the Blue Wave visits undefeated Westhill in what will be Darien's last chance to gain the top overall seed in the FCIAC playoffs.

"Westhill's our next biggest challenge, but Danbury is our next focus," Buch said.