Stafford, E.O. Smith Set to Open Softball Tournaments

STAFFORD-STORRS, CT — Looking to end a 42-year dry spell, the Stafford High School softball team begins its quest for a Class S state championship at home Tuesday.

The top-seeded Bulldogs, which won the Class M title in 1976, will open the tournament by hosting No. 32 Weaver, as pairings were announced Friday morning.

E.O. Smith will also be competing in postseason play, as the No. 4 seed in Class LL, and will entertain No. 20 Darien on Tuesday. The Panthers have never won a state softball title.

Top seeds in the four divisions are Southington (LL), Masuk (L), Northwestern Regional (M) and Stafford (S).

Here are the opening contests scheduled for teams from Patch towns in Hartford and Tolland counties. Click the class header for the complete bracket.

Class LL

1st Round - May 29

• No. 1 Southington, bye
• No. 25 Manchester at No. 8 Bristol Eastern
• No. 24 Newington at No. 9 South Windsor
• No. 29 Darien at No. 4 E.O. Smith
• No. 18 Middletown at No. 15 East Hartford
• No. 23 Simsbury at No. 10 Newtown
• No. 19 Glastonbury at No. 14 Stamford
• No. 22 Staples at No. 11 Enfield

Class L

1st round - May 29

• No. 5 Windsor, bye
• No. 25 Stratford at No. 8 Farmington
• No. 23 Rockville at No. 10 Guilford

Class M

1st Round - May 29

• No. 25 Rocky Hill at No. 8 Wolcott
• No. 28 Cromwell at No. 5 Granby Memorial
• No. 18 Ellington at No. 15 Wolcott Tech
• No. 19 East Haven at No. 14 Berlin
• No. 27 Kaynor Tech at No. 6 Northwest Catholic

Class S

1st Round - May 29

• No. 32 Weaver at No. 1 Stafford
• No. 31 Windsor Locks at No. 2 St. Paul
• No. 18 Somers at No. 15 Windham
• No. 26 East Windsor at No. 7 Holy Cross
• No. 23 MLC at No. 10 Thomaston
• No. 27 PSA/Aerospace at No. 6 Coginchaug
• No. 22 Shepaug Valley at No. 11 East Granby

File photo credit: Tim Jensen

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