Joel Barlow Varsity Softball Sets Sights On SWC And CIAC Playoffs

The Joel Barlow high school varsity softball team is working hard in preparing for the upcoming South-West Conference season. 

The Falcons return 11 players - nine of whom are juniors - from a team that gave Barlow its first state tournament berth in five years last season.

Kristen Fallo, Barlow class of 2004, is beginning her first year as head coach as the Falcons continue their march to return the program to prominence in the SWC’s Colonial Division.

“Our goal is to build a winning team this year, but more importantly,  a consistently competitive program at Barlow,” said Fallo, who has added Erika Profenno to her staff this season.

This year’s varsity is led by senior co-captains Emma Traggianese and Sonia Giorgio, who have both played four years at the varsity level.  The duo are the only seniors on the 2011 roster.

Traggianese is a hard-hitting infielder who led Barlow in RBI (12), slugging percentage (.455) and extra-base hits (5) en route to earning All-Colonial honors in 2010. She was sidelined by a midseason ankle injury, which had a negative impact on the team’s won-loss record and overall defensive strength.

Giorgio, a catcher, is the mainstay behind the plate and has a solid history with a young and talented pitching staff.  The seasoned backstop was third on the team in RBI’s last year (7) and a key reason the Falcons jumped out to early success in 2010.

The veteran junior class is well represented by outfielder Katherine Acocella and ace pitcher Anne Dolan.

Acocella’s stats were near the top in all SWC Colonial Division categories, earning her 2010 All-Colonial honors and the further distinction of being named to the Danbury News Times’ “All Area Team”, which includes the top 20 players throughout the southwestern part of the state in the SWC and FCIAC. 

Acocella paced the team in batting (.322)  hits (19), runs scored (18) and on-base percentage (.397) while driving in nine runs from the leadoff position.

Dolan’s 7-9 record was very misleading.  The talented righty, known as a ground- ball pitcher, boasted a stingy 2.42 ERA and with an improved defense behind her this spring, should realize even better pitching stats. 

Aside from her pitching skills, Dolan is a solid infielder who swings a productive bat.  Tied for third on the team in hits (10),  the patient hitter drew seven walks last season and will be a strong contributor to the Falcons' revived offensive attack.

Fallo is optimistic about the Falcons’ chances this spring.

“This Barlow team has solid talent, and combined with hard work and determination,  should bring positive results this season,” she said.