E.O. Smith, Stafford Garner Votes in Softball Poll

STORRS/STAFFORD, CT — After winning 13 of their first 15 games this season, the E.O. Smith High School softball team just missed cracking the top 10 in the most recent poll of coaches and media members.

The Panthers have won nine of their last 10 contests, and will host RHAM Monday before traveling to Enfield Friday.

For the first time this season, Stafford (14-1) received some voter support after stretching its winning streak to 13 straight games, including a big win last Monday over Granby Memorial. The Bulldogs have a grueling stretch with games on four straight days this week, against HMTCA, Rockville, SMSA and East Granby.

Masuk (18-0) collected 11 of 13 first-place votes to take over the top spot in the rankings. Seymour (16-1), which had been No. 1 all season, got the other two top votes to place second.

Here are the top 10, plus all other schools receiving votes, with records through May 13:

1. Masuk (18-0)
2. Seymour (16-1)
3. North Branford (17-0)
4. Southington (14-1)
5. Griswold (17-0)
6. Trumbull (15-1)
7. Cheshire (16-1)
8. Amity Regional (15-2)
9. Daniel Hand (15-1)
10. St. Paul (16-1)

Also receiving votes: Brookfield (16-2), E.O. Smith (13-2), Granby Memorial (14-2), Northwestern Regional (15-0), Norwich Free Academy (13-4), Fairfield Ludlowe (14-3), Stafford (14-1), Maloney (14-2), Coventry (15-1), North Haven (14-3), Joel Barlow (14-4), Bristol Eastern (10-4), South Windsor (11-4), Newtown (14-4), Northwest Catholic (12-2).

Voters: Tony Calcagni, Coginchaug; Vickie Fulkerson, The Day; George DeMaio, WELI; 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.; Mike Suppe, HAN Network, Richard Zalusky, Willimantic Chronicle.

File photo credit: Tim Jensen

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