E.O. Smith in Top 20 of Latest Softball Poll

STORRS, CT — An impressive opening game enabled the E.O. Smith High School softball team to earn votes in the latest balloting of coaches and media members.

The Panthers (1-0) posted a 7-3 victory over Enfield to open the season on the correct foot. Scheduled games this week are against CCC foes Rocky Hill and Farmington, as well as a non-league contest Friday at home against Ellington.

Seymour (1-0) received eight of 13 first-place votes to top the balloting for the second straight week.

Here are the top 15, plus all other schools which received votes in the balloting, with records through April 8:

1. Seymour (1-0)
2. Southington (0-0)
3. Trumbull (2-0)
4. Masuk (2-0)
5. Joel Barlow (2-0)
6. Cheshire (1-0)
7. East Haven (2-0)
8. Norwich Free Academy (1-1)
9. Griswold (3-0)
10. North Branford (2-0)
11. Daniel Hand (3-0)
12. Granby Memorial (2-0)
13. Newtown (2-0)
14. Holy Cross (0-1)
15. St. Joseph (1-1)

Also receiving votes: Amity Regional (1-1), Middletown (0-0), Bristol Eastern (0-0), E.O. Smith (1-0), New Milford (2-0), North Haven (1-1), Norwalk (2-1), Notre Dame-Fairfield (2-0), Guilford (1-1), Fairfield Warde (0-1), South Windsor (1-0), Bunnell (2-0), Thomaston (2-0), Coventry (0-0), Fitch (0-1), Lauralton Hall (2-0), Naugatuck (2-0), Stamford (101).

Voters: Tony Calcagni, Coginchaug; Vickie Fulkerson, The Day; George DeMaio, WELI; Ken Pereiras, Seymour; Richard Zalusky, Willimantic Chronicle; Jimmy Zanor, Norwich Bulletin; Lori Riley, Hartford Courant; Jeff Babineau, St. Joseph; Scott Ericson, Stamford Advocate; Ryan Lacey, Danbury News Times; Mike Madera, Hearst Connecticut Media; Dave Phillips, Hearst Connecticut Media; Tim Jensen, Patch Media Corp.

Photo credit: Tim Jensen