Masuk Girls Softball Defeats New Fairfield in SWC Quarterfinal

On Friday May 17, the Masuk girls softball team had a 7-1 win over New Fairfield in the SWC quarterfinals.

The first inning started off slow as both teams started to get into the flow. Masuk was first on the field and New Fairfield was batting. With strong pitching from junior Julia Bacoulis (6), New Fairfield players struggled to even get a swing and all struck out.

After the first inning, Masuk players had all struck out as well with the score still being 0-0.

During the second inning, Bacoulis stayed strong with her pitches and struck out all the New Fairfield players again.

However, Masuk started to bring the heat with their batting after sophomore Grace Ely (10) had a successful hit, allowing her to make it to first base.

With assistance from junior Alyssa Castillo (33) and freshman Ciena Perpetuo (8), Ely completed a full run of the field and scored their first point of the game, making the score 1-0.

“It definitely took us a second to get used to the game,” said Ely. “My teammates definitely helped a lot and picked me up.”

The third inning came with more missed swings from the New Fairfield players as Bacoulis kept her strong arm and struck them all out again. At this point, New Fairfield players struggled to even get to first base.

With Masuk at bat, senior Natalie Lieto (14) hit a home run, advancing Masuk’s score 2-0.

During the fourth inning, New Fairfield players managed to get onto bases and even made it to third. However, Masuk players stayed quick on defense, allowing them to get the New Fairfield players out before they could make it to home.

After more missed swings from both teams in the fourth and fifth innings, Masuk was still in the lead, 2-0.

However, when Masuk players started batting in the fifth inning, junior Ava Moretti (5) made a powerful swing and with other plays from Bacoulis and Lieto, was able to get to third. The girls fought hard to get another point, but ultimately got out without completing a full run.

The sixth inning saw the girls on both teams playing harder and faster than before. Junior Madison Aguirre (19) relieved Bacoulis as the pitcher and continued with a strong and fast arm.

“I think I stepped up as a pitcher and helped out for my team,” said Aguirre. “All of my teammates also had great plays which got us the win.”

New Fairfield players were struggling to get swings with Aguirre pitching. Even when they were able to get to bases, Masuk players like Ely were too quick, and got them out.

When it was Masuk’s turn to bat again, the girls began to swing hard. Ely was allowed to walk to first base and after Castillo made a short hit, Ely ran to second. After a strong swing from Aguirre, Ely made it home, advancing Masuk’s score 3-0.

Then Aguirre, with the help of Perpetuo and junior Aubrey Zvovushe-Ramos (9), also made it home, making the score 4-0.

The strong plays did not stop there as Perpetuo, Zvovushe-Ramos and Lieto were also able to make it home, increasing the score 7-0 in favor of Masuk.

The game closed after a New Fairfield player managed to get home, making the final score 7-1.

“I think the game went really well, we had a great team effort overall and we really pulled together through the end,” continued Aguirre.

The Masuk girls softball team now is onto the semi-finals of SWC’s while also being on a winners streak of 22-0.