Hale-Ray Noises defeated Stafford Spartan during the semi-finals of the State Championship Tournament Tuesday night in West Haven.
The game started as a pitchers battle between Hale-Ray’s Katelyn Nichisti and Stafford’s Jody Buckley. The third inning produced the first score of the game with Hale-Ray taking the lead. Megan McNult started the inning with a base hit, then advanced to second on a successful bunt from Alex Lefemina. Lydia Walter doubled to bring in McNulty for the first run of the night. Maxie Murphy followed with a triple that brought in Lefemina and Walter. A pop-fly and a running error ended the Noises roll at 3-0.
Going into the sixth and leading 3-0, Hale-Ray made a pitching change that brought Rachel Pease to the mound. Off to a shaky start, Pease walked Morgan Quagliaroli, gave up a double to Emilie Pierolo then hit Lindsay Reid. With bases loaded and two outs, Stafford’s Jaimie Sierra got a base hit to drive in two runs. A strike out on Jody Buckly ended the inning with Hale-Ray holding the lead 3-2.
Find out what's happening in The Haddams-Killingworthfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Hale-Ray answered in the seventh with two more runs, finishing the game ahead 5-3.
Hale-Ray (20-3) will face Terryville (21-2) in the CIAC Class S Finals Friday (June 10) at DeLuca Field in Strafford. Game starts 7PM.
