The softball team is back on the diamond and ready to compete, kicking off the season with a home game () today against Plainville at 4 p.m. Coach TJ Schatz and the T-Birds have high hopes for 2012 with a strong core of players returning.
Goals for North Branford, according to Schatz, include qualifying for both the state and Shoreline Conference tournaments and reaching the finals of the latter. Big games for the T-Birds include those against perennial foes Hale Ray (away on April 27), HK (home on April 9 and away on May 8) and Coginchaug (away on April 16 and home on May 12).
While the team returns many key players, one face North Branford will miss is catcher Sam Hemstock, who graduated.
“We have a very qualified freshman in Deanna Gallo and we’re looking for great things from her in the future,” said Schatz.
Other players expected to contribute include Kristen Kruglik, Sam Monico, Tori Ramada and Kayla Nowak, along with senior captains Bailey McGinnis, Brittany Reshotnik and Meghan Halligan.
“Meghan Halligan will again be a force to reckon with along with solid defense and strong hitting,” said Schatz. “We have a deep lineup, which should be stronger than ever.”
North Branford 2011-12 Varsity Softball Schedule Thu., 4/5 Plainville Home - Totoket Park[Directions] 4:00 p.m. Fri., 4/6 Morgan Home - Totoket Park
[Directions] 11:00 a.m. Sat., 4/7 Southington Home - Totoket Park
[Directions] 11:00 a.m. Mon., 4/9 Haddam-Killingworth Home - Totoket Park
[Directions] 3:45 p.m. Wed., 4/11 Portland Away - Brownstone Park Nolan Field
[Directions] 3:45 p.m. Fri., 4/13 Valley Regional Away - Valley Regional High School
[Directions] 3:45 p.m. Mon., 4/16 Coginchaug Away - Coginchaug Regional High School
[Directions] 3:45 p.m. Fri., 4/20 Westbrook Home - Totoket Park
[Directions] 3:45 p.m. Sat., 4/21 Trumbull Away - Varsity Softball Field
[Directions] 11:00 a.m. Mon., 4/23 East Hampton Home - Totoket Park
[Directions] 3:45 p.m. Fri., 4/27 Hale Ray Away - Hale-Ray HS, Lou Milardo Field
[Directions] 6:30 p.m. Mon., 4/30 Old Lyme Away - Town Woods Park
[Directions] 3:45 p.m. Wed., 5/2 Cromwell Away - Cromwell High School
[Directions] 3:45 p.m. Fri., 5/4 Old Saybrook Home - Totoket Park
[Directions] 3:45 p.m. Tue., 5/8 Haddam-Killingworth Away - Haddam Killingworth HS
[Directions] 4:00 p.m. Wed., 5/9 Valley Regional Home - Totoket Park
[Directions] 3:45 p.m. Sat., 5/12 Coginchaug Home - Totoket Park
[Directions] 2:00 p.m. Mon., 5/14 Cromwell Home - Totoket Park
[Directions] 6:00 p.m. Wed., 5/16 Morgan Away - Peters Complex
[Directions] 6:30 p.m. Tue., 5/22 Southington Away - Southington High School
[Directions] 4:00 p.m.
