Hamden Wins Battle for Softball Supremacy over SHA

The Hamden High School Green Dragons came out on top Monday in the battle for softball supremacy in Hamden, beginning with a four run first inning to a convincing 7-1 win over Sacred Heart Academy yesterday at Hamden’s field.

Clara Ryan pitched a complete game and would have had a shut out were it not for a fifth inning error that allowed the Pacers only run. Hamden’s Zoe Fanolis, a sophomore short stop, was the hitting star with four of the team's seven hits, including two doubles. The Green Dragon’s leadoff hitter started off the game with a double and scored the first run in a big inning that set the stage for the team’s romp.

The win puts Hamden at 5-4, while Sacred Heart falls to 6-3.

The Pacers started 4-1 and won the New Haven Register’s team of the week award two weeks ago, but didn’t look like it Monday with weak hitting and poor fielding.

“We weren’t ready to play and they jumped on us in the first inning with the big four,” said Pacers coach Ray Ramelli. “We tried to get it all back, but give Hamden all the credit. They were here and ready to play.”

Hamden third year coach Peter Zoppi praised Clara Ryan’s ability to go the distance.

“She has a tendency not to close games out, but she’s getting better at that now," he said. "She gave us seven strong.

“We got some timely hits, my lefties did a great job bunting, running, slapping and hitting, which put them in the hole early," he said. "We’ve been ahead of them before in the past and they’ve beaten us so it felt really good to get the 'W'."

Both teams are looking ahead to the post season, seeking to get the eight wins they need to qualify for the state championship.

To qualify for the SCCs, the team must win the division or be a wild card team with one of the next four best records. The teams play in the Quinnipiac division with West Haven and Mercy.

Sacred Heart lost to Mercy 4-3 in eight innings last Thursday and plays West Haven today.

“It’s tough to win the division,” Ramelli said. “Hamden is a rival and anything can happen, and Mercy and West Haven are super teams. It’s the toughest division in the SCC with rivalries between teams we’ve been battling for years.”

“Our main goal is to make the states,” said Hamden’s senior co-captain Shannon Knox, who plays third base. “We haven’t made the states since freshman year but the girls are pumped for the rest of the season and meshing really well.”

Hamden hosts Foran Wednesday at 3:45 p.m. and travels to Sheehan Friday. Sacred Heart plays at West Haven today and hosts Amity in the first game on its new field Friday at 3:45 p.m..