And Here’s The Pitch ... Slo-Pitch Women’s Softball Players Battle In Playoffs

The Newtown Slo-Pitch Women’s Softball League playoffs got underway on Monday with all six teams battling in games for the right to extend their seasons.

In a clash between the top-seeded Fireside squad and No. 6 Salon Michele, Fireside rolled to a 21-0 victory at Dickinson Park. Stacey Gordon, Ali Cordova, and Lindsey Carley — all 3-for-3 — were among the hitting stars.

Fireside earned a second-round bye and berth in the Friday, August 12 championship game, slated for 6:30 pm at Treadwell Park.

In other action, No. 3 My Place knocked off No. 4 Black Swan 5-2 at Treadwell to qualify for the semifinal round. Black Swan took an early 2-0 lead. Lisa Grossman hit a triple to drive in the first run for the Swans, and later scored to make it 2-0.

My Place battled back to even the game and it remained tied 2-2 until the seventh. Black Swan player Carol LaFreniere fielded a ball thrown from Melissa Fracker in the outfield, and applied a tag on a My Place runner to deny a potential run at the plate. Joanna Barry made several great defensive plays at shortstop, helping to keep the score close. Rosie Jackman pitched seven strong innings for the Swans.

In the seventh, My place had runners at first and second with only one out when Lisa Masella hit a shot over the left fielder’s head to end the game.

My Place earned the right to face No. 2 Cork and Barrel, a 6-2 winner over No. 5 Duhamel at Fairfield Hills. In defeat, Duhamel’s Bonnie Litke hit a double sending Lauren McCusker home for the first run. Tamara Doughtery and Sue Blume both got singles to push Erin Saunders home for the team’s other run.

The semifinal game, originally scheduled for Tuesday, was postponed by rain and scheduled to have been played on Wednesday (after The Bee sports section went to press). Players from all of the teams will be on hand at Treadwell during the season-ending picnic/games which include both the championship and All Star game.