Ludlowe Falls To Trumbull, 2-1, In FCIAC Softball Playoffs

After a regular season of ups and downs,  Fairfield Ludlowe's hopes for an FCIAC softball title ended Monday with a 2-1 loss at Tumbull in the quarterfinals of the league playoffs.

The game was not without a controversial moment.  With the Falcons trailing, 2-1,  in the sixth innin and runners on first and second with only one out, center fielder Emily Nelson hit a single to center.

However, during the play Ludlowe runner Jessalyn Lammerts collided with Trumbull shortstop Katie Tyler and was called out for interference, taking away  a bases-loaded opporunity for the Falcons.

"It's a legit call," Ludlowe interim coach Tony Samuelian said. "She's got to avoid the fielder."

Third-seeded Trumbull (18-3) kept Ludlowe's  bats silent through 4 2/3 innings, thanks to a tremendous start from ace Alex Puglisi, whose bid for a perfect game ended on an error by Eagles first baseman Jess Nakano with two outs in the fifth.

After Nakano's error allowed Ludlowe first baseman Kirsten Guerrero to reach base, she scored on a double by Elise Perazzini, but was all the offense the Falcons (14-7) could muster.

Puglisi struck out eight in her complete-game performance.   

Trumbull took a 2-0 lead in fourth inning,  thanks first to a sacrifice fly from Sarah Wesley and then a run scoring suicide squeeze from Ashley Simoneau.

Ludlowe pitcher Becky Foster took the lose despite a strong outing herself. Foster  allowed one earned run and just three hits over six innings.

"We just played our hearts out," said Samuelian, whose team now prepares for the state tournament that begins next week.  "You can't ask for more."