Fermi Girls Shut Out Crosstown Rival Enfield

Lisa Lusardi fired a two-hit shutout, striking out eight Enfield batters en route to a 15-0 victory in a five-inning softball game Thursday at Fermi High School.

Lusardi, a sophomore, walked just two in posting the Falcons' third victory in four days, all ending early due to the 15-run rule.

"This was a very positive week for us," Fermi head coach Sean Sweeney said. "Lisa pitched fantastic for us today...she moved the ball around well and hit her spots."

Fermi got all the runs it needed in the first inning on a single by Sam DelConte, a walk to Lusardi, a run-scoring single by Liz Rogers, an RBI groundout by Haley Cotnoir and a bunt single by Olivia Baillargeon.

The Falcons added four more in the second on a double by Jill Lapponese, singles by Lindsey Taupier, DelConte and Cotnoir, and an Enfield throwing error.

Fermi tallied three runs in the third after two outs on a walk to Keelie Giannone and consecutive singles by DelConte, Emily Quail and Lusardi.

The Falcons closed the scoring with five runs in the fourth, highlighted by DelConte's two-run home run to center field. The junior finished the day 4-for-4 with four runs scored and three runs batted in.

"Sam puts a lot of pressure on herself to do well, so I was very happy for her," Sweeney said.

Cotnoir had two hits and two RBI for the Falcons. Quail scored two runs and knocked in a pair, while Taupier and Giannone each scored twice.

"This game exemplifies what we have to do to be successful - we need contributions from everyone," Sweeney said.

Tori Rugani and Nicole Olschafskie had the Enfield hits. "Kristen Serafin did a nice job pitching for them today, and Jordan Fritz was solid behind the plate," Sweeney said.

Fermi (3-3) takes its three-game winning streak into Bloomfield Monday at 3:45 p.m. Enfield (0-5) plays at Ellington that same day and time.