Westies top Sheehan in Opener
Offense produces in 7-2 win
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 4, 2022) - The West Haven softball team opened the season with a 7-2 victory at Sheehan of Wallingford Monday afternoon.
Mia Rubirosa went the distance in the pitching circle, tossing a complete game, allowing four hits and two unearned runs, while walking two and striking out eight.
Rubirosa also made significant contributions at the plate she hit a long homer, drove in a pair of runs and scored twice. Shyanne Raccio had three hits, a run batted in, and a run scored, while Hannah Davey, Brianna Miller, and Paige Beurer each had a pair of hits in the win.
West Haven took a 2-0 lead in the first inning as Rubirosa walked, stole second and scored on a single to center by Melanie Jimenez. Beurer followed with a single to center, and Raccio did the same to score Jimenez for a 2-0 lead.
Leading 2-1, West Haven failed to capitalize on its opportunities as the Westies stranded a runner on third in the third, and hit into a double play with two on in the fourth.
The Westies took a 4-1 lead with two runs in the sixth. Miller hit a two-out single to start the rally and Rubirosa followed with a long homer to left.
After Sheehan got a run back in the bottom of the inning, West Haven put the game away with three runs in the seventh.
Beurer led off with a single to center, Raccio doubled to left to put a pair in scoring position, before Beurer scored on a passed ball, and a wild pitch scored Raccio. Davey delivered the final run of the inning as her single scored Juliana Petruzziello for a 7-2 lead.
Two in a Row
WH tops Lauralton
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 5, 2022) - Mia Rubirosa knows she is going to be one of the keys to her team’s success. Rubirosa was on the mark Tuesday afternoon.
Despite allowing eight hits and four earned runs, Rubirosa struck out 17 batters in a 7-4 victory over Lauralton Hall Tuesday afternoon in Milford. With the win, the Westies improved to 2-0 on the year.
Nine players had hits, with Gianna Carrano leading the way with a pair, in a 10-hit attack. Rubirosa drove in a pair, had a hit and scored once for the Westies.
Trailing 1-0 heading to the fourth, West Haven evened the game as Juliana Petruzziello and Paige Beurer walked with one out, Shyanne Raccio singled to load the bases, and Petruzziello scored on a passed ball with two outs to even the game.
Lauralton took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the inning, before West Haven scored four times in the fifth for a 5-2 lead.
Hannah Burrows and Hannah Davey opened the inning with walks and Brianna Miller singled to load the bases. Rubirosa gave West Haven the lead for good when she doubled to center to score Burrows and Davey, before Miller scored one batter later for a 4-2 advantage. Rubirosa scored on a ground out by Beurer for a 5-2 lead.
Lauralton got within 5-4 in the fifth, but the Westies added single tallies in the sixth and seventh for the 7-4 win.
Burrows reached on an error to score Carrano in the sixth, and Jimenez singled to score Beurer, who singled to open the inning, in the seventh.
Three Straight
WH blanks SHA 2-0
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 11, 2022) - After opening the season with a pair of victories, the West Haven softball team was looking for a signature win. The Westies may have received that win Monday afternoon.
Behind the 3-hit pitching of Mia Rubirosa, West Haven defeated previously undefeated Sacred Heart Academy 2-0 in Hamden. The West Haven pitcher walked one and struck out eight.
With the victory, West Haven improved to 3-0 on the year.
Rubirosa was also stellar at the plate where she had a pair of hits, including a home run, scored twice, and drove in a run.
West Haven took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Rubirosa led off with a single to left, stole second, and scored on a two-out single to center by Shyanne Raccio.
Rubirosa worked out of a two-out double by the Sharks in the bottom of the first, before extending her team’s lead with a line drive homer to left to lead off the third.
That was all the scoring for the Westies and Rubirosa made the lead hold up, retiring the side in order in the third and fifth innings.
Rubirosa stranded a Sacred Heart runner at third in the sixth with an inning-ending strikeout, and did the same to end the game.
Streak Over
Foran rallies to top WH 5-3
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 13, 2022) - The West Haven softball team was six outs away from its fourth straight victory to start the season. They never got all six.
Scoring four times in the bottom of the sixth, including the final two on a line drive home rum by Kendall LaMorte, Foran rallied for a 5-3 victory over the Westies at Foran High Wednesday afternoon. With the loss, West Haven fell to 3-1 on the year.
With single runs in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings, the Westies held a two-run lead, before the late Foran rally.
After a scoreless three innings, West Haven took a 1-0 lead in the fourth when Paige Beurer doubled to center, went to third on a ground out by Shyanne Raccio, and scored on a two-out single by Hannah Burrows.
Foran tied the game in the bottom of the inning on a two-out rally of its own, but the Westies took a 4-1 lead in the fifth on a single by Mia Rubirosa.
West Haven increased the lead to 3-1 in the sixth when Raccio singled, moved to second on a sacrifice by Hannah Davey, third on a single by Burrows, and scored on a fielder’s choice.
West Haven had one last chance in the seventh to even the game when Raccio walked with two outs, but she did not advance.
Beurer and Burrows led the Westies with two hits apiece.
Back on Track
WH rolls past Lyman Hall 21-8
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 14, 2022) - Just one day after a crushing first loss of the season, the West Haven softball team rebounded in emphatic fashion. Scoring 10 times in the second inning, the Westies rolled to an easy 21-8 victory over Lyman Hall of Wallingford Thursday afternoon at Biondi Field in West Haven.
Mia Rubirosa led the way for the Westies as she had two hits, scored four times, and drove in five runs. Paige Beurer, had three hits, scored three runs, and drove in two. Hannah Burrows and Hannah Davey each drove in two runs and scored twice, while Juliana Petruzziello, Shyanne Raccio, and Taylor Alfano each scored twice, and Natalie Gallo scored three times in the win.
Rubirosa was solid in the circle, going 4 1/3 innings, allowing three hits and one earned run. The Westie ace struck out six and walked just one batter.
West Haven jumped out of the gate quickly and never stopped, with five runs in the first inning. Beurer and Burrows had run-scoring singles, and Gianna Carrano singled to score two more.
After Lyman Hall scored one in the second, the Westies put the game away with 10 more runs in the bottom of the inning.
Rubirosa scored on a passed ball, Petruzziello scored on a wild pitch, Davey knocked in a run with a fielder’s choice, and Waibel knocked in Raccio with a single for a 9-1 lead. Davey knocked in the final run of the inning with a single to score Beurer.
Rolling Along
WH rallies to beat Shelton 9-6
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 18, 2022) - After suffering its first loss of the season, the West Haven softball team has responded in fine fashion with the offense putting up 30 runs in the next two games.
The Westies won their second straight contest with a 9-6 road decision over Shelton Monday afternoon. With the victory, West Haven improved to 5-1 on the year.
Mia Rubirosa led the Westies with three hits, three runs scored and a run batted in. Paige Beurer, Gianna Carrano, and Shyanne Raccio each had a pair of hits, with Carrano scoring twice and driving in a pair.
The Westies had to come back twice in picking up their fifth victory of the season. After Beurer’s sacrifice fly in the first scored Rubirosa, West Haven led 1-0.
The Westies scored a pair in the third when Carrano singled, moved to second on a sacrifice, and scored on a single to left by Rubirosa. When Hannah Burrows singled to score Rubirosa, West Haven held a 3-0 lead.
Shelton scored four times in the fourth for a 4-3 lead, but West Haven evened the game in the fifth when Rubirosa singled, stole second, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Beurer.
When Shelton scored two in the bottom of the inning, the Westies trailed 6-4, before rallying with two in the sixth and three in the seventh.
Taylor Alfano led off the sixth with a single to left, Holly Waibel singled, and a fielder’s choice put runners on the corners with one out. Melanie Jimenez grounded to first to score Alfano, and Rubirosa reached on an error to score Carrano with the tying run.
After Shelton stranded a pair in the sixth, West Haven won the game with three runs in the seventh.Beurer led off with a triple to left, Raccio singled to center to score Beurer, and Davey drew a one-out walk. Carrano hit a two-out double to right, scoring a pair for a 9-6 lead.
North Haven rallies past Westies
WH falls 9-4
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 20, 2022) - The West Haven softball team led early, but could not hang on in a 9-4 loss at North Haven Wednesday evening. With the loss, West Haven fell to 5-2.
The Nighthawks rallied for five runs in the fourth inning to erase a 3-2 deficit. North Haven added single runs in the fifth and sixth innings to pull away.
West Haven starting pitcher Mia Rubirosa was knocked out of the game after 3 2/3 innings, allowing nine hits and seven earned runs.
Rubirosa did help give the Westies a 3-1 lead with a line drive three-run homer in the third after Olivia McDonnell singled and Natalie Gallo walked.
After West Haven went down quietly in the fourth, the Nighthawks scored five times with two outs for a 7-3 lead.
The Westies again went down in order in the fifth and sixth innings, before Brianna Miller homered to lead off the seventh.
Westies roll past Cross
WH posts 18-0 win
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 21, 2022) - The West Haven softball team knocked around 18 hits and scored in every inning, rolling to an 18-0 victory over Wilbur Cross in a game shortened to five innings Thursday afternoon. West Haven improved to 6-2.
Shyanne Raccio and Taylor Alfano led the offense with four hits apiece, while Mia Rubirosa, Paige Beurer, and Olivia McDonnell each had a pair of hits. Alfano drove in four runs, Rubirosa drove in three, and Hannah Burrows knocked in a pair.
Rubirosa also scored four runs, Miller scored three times, and Beurer, Raccio, McDonnell and Natalie Gallo each scored twice.
West Haven took a 1-0 lead in the first when Rubirosa scored on a wild pitch.
The Westies put the game away with eight runs in the second when Rubirosa tripled to score two, Beurer reached on an error to score two more, and Alfano singled to score another.
Burrows doubled to score Raccio and Alfano, and McDonnell singled to score Burrows for a 9-0 lead. Alfano doubled to score Raccio in the third, and West Haven put the game away with three more in the fourth.
Westies thump Hillhouse
Rubirosa perfect in 19-0 victory
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 25, 2022) - The West Haven softball team won its second straight contest and fourth in five games with a 19-0 victory over Hillhouse in a game shortened to five innings. West Haven improved to 7-2 on the year.
The Westies received a balanced attack throughout the line up and were led by Mia Rubirosa who tossed a perfect game with 13 strikeouts.
Brianna Miller led the offense with four hits, five runs batted in, and two runs scored. Juliana Petruzziello added four hits, three runs batted in, and one run scored while Rubirosa had three hits, two runs batted in, and four runs scored.
Paige Beurer, Shyanne Raccio, Julia Merola, and Natalie Gallo each had two hits apiece, Merola drove in two runs, and Beurer scored twice, and Gallo scored three times.
West Haven took control of the game with two runs in the first inning and 13 in the second.
In the first Rubirosa doubled, stole third and scored on a sacrifice fly by Miller, before Petruzziello laced a two-out double to score Raccio.
The Westies then scored 13 times in the second with two outs. Petruzziello doubled in Beurer and Raccio, Burrows singled to score Taylor Alfano, Rubirosa walked to force in Burrows, Miller doubled to score Hannah Davey and Gallo, Beurer doubled to score Miller, Raccio singled in Beurer, and an error scored Raccio.
Postseason Bound
Westies top SHA to qualify for state tournament
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 27, 2022) - The West Haven softball team won its third straight contest with a 5-3 decision over Sacred Heart Academy Wednesday evening at Biondi Field in West Haven. With the victory, the Westies qualified for the state tournament and improved to 8-2 on the year.
Mia Rubirosa went the distance, allowing three earned runs on seven hits, while walking two and striking out seven. Rubirosa also had three hits, scored twice and drove in a run. Juliana Petruzziello had two hits and drove in a pair.
Rubirosa helped give the Westies a 2-0 lead in the first when she led off with a double to left, moved to second on a single by Brianna Miller, and scored along with Miller on Petruzziello’s two-out single to left.
The Westies took a 3-0 lead in the second when Hannah Davey laced a one-out double to center and scored on a single by Rubirosa.
After Sacred Heart stranded runners on base in the third, fourth, and fifth innings, the Westies took a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth when Paige Beurer’s sacrifice fly scored Rubirosa.
The run would prove to be crucial as the Sharks scored three times in the sixth and stranded the tying run on second.
West Haven added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth as Hannah Burrows led off with a double, moved to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Hannah Davey.
Moving Along
Westies travel to Mass. and post 19-6 win
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 27, 2022) - The West Haven softball team improved to 9-2 with a 19-6 road victory over Milford, Mass. Saturday morning in a game stopped after six innings of play.
The road trip saw West Haven pound out 21 hits, including five from Juliana Petruzziello, three apiece from Paige Beurer and Shyanne Raccio, and two apiece from Mia Rubirosa, Brianna Miller, Hannah Davey, and Melanie Jimenez.
Miller, Beurer, Petruziello, and Gianna Carrano each knocked in three, while Rubirosa, Raccio and Davey delivered two. Rubirosa, Beurer, Raccio, and Petruzziello all scored three times, while Miller, Hannah Burrows, and Jimenez each scored twice.
West Haven took a 4-0 lead in the first inning when Rubirosa led off with a double and scored when Beurer reached on an error. A single by Petruzziello scored Beurer, before Carrano singled to score Raccio and Petruzziello.
Jimenez tripled and scored on a ground out by Rubirosa in the second, before West Haven increased the lead to 9-0 with four more in the third.
Burrows led off with a single, and with two outs, Rubirosa was hit by a pitch. Miller followed with a home run to center to knock in three, before Beurer singled and scored on a double by Raccio.
After Milford got within 9-5 in the third, West Haven scored two in the fourth when Davey singled to score Petruzziello and Burrows, and added another in the fifth when Raccio and Petruzziello hit consecutive one-out doubles.
Hanging On
Westies hold off Foran in 3-2 win
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 5, 2022) - The West Haven softball team knew it was going to be in for a battle playing Foran Thursday evening at Biondi Field, having suffered one of their two losses to the Lions earlier in the season. The Westies got what was expected.
Scoring single runs in each of the first two innings, the Westies went on to defeat Foran 3-2. Foran scored single runs in each of the final two innings, before the Westies hung on to improve to 10-2.
Mia Rubirosa went the distance in the circle for the Westies, tossing a complete game, allowing one earned run on two hits. Rubirosa walked two and struck out five.
West Haven took a 1-0 lead in the first when Rubirosa led off with a double, moved to third on Brianna Miller’s bunt single, and scored on a Foran error.
The advantage increased to 2-0 in the second when Melanie Jimenez tripled with two outs and scored on Rubirosa’s single to third.
The Westies used another two-out rally in the fifth to take a 3-0 lead as Paige Beurer and Shyanne Raccio walked, before Juliana Petruzziello singled to score pinch-runner Natalie Gallo.
A west Haven error led to a Foran run in the seventh, but Rubirosa got a ground out and a pop out to preserve the victory.
Rubirosa and Jimenez led the Westies with two hits apiece.
Westies blank Hillhouse
Rubirosa, Alfano combine to no-hit Academics
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 9, 2022) - The West Haven softball team won its sixth straight contest and improved to 11-2 with a 12-0 victory over Hillhouse in a game stopped after five innings in New Haven Monday afternoon.
Three different players had multiple hits, led by Paige Beurer with three hits, two runs batted in, and four runs scored. Mia Rubirosa had two hits, drove in two runs, and scored twice, while Shyanne Raccio had two hits, drove in a run and scored once.
Rubirosa, who tossed a perfect game the last time the two teams met, came within a walk of perfection again as she did not allow a hit, walked one and struck out eleven in four innings of work. Taylor Alfano struck out all three batters she faced in the fifth and final inning as the duo combined on the no-hitter.
West Haven scored all the runs it would need with two in the first inning as Rubirosa singled, went to third on an error, and scored on a single by Beurer, who scored later in the inning on a passed ball.
The Westies increased the lead to 7-0 with five runs in the second as Davey led off with a single and scored on a home run by Rubirosa. Raccio grounded out to score Brianna Miller, Juliana Petruzziello tripled to score Beurer, and Hannah Davey walked to force in another run.
Run-scoring singles by Beurer, Gianna Carrano, Hannah Burrows, and Melanie Jimenez in the third increased the margin to 11-0.
Seven Straight
Balanced attack leads to 6-3 win over North Haven
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 11, 2022) - With the postseason upcoming, it is all about seeding now for the West Haven girls softball team. Breaking a 2-2 tie with two runs in the fifth, West Haven went on to defeat North Haven 6-3 at Biondi Field in West Haven Wednesday evening.
The victory was West Haven’s seventh in a row and helped the Westies improve to 12-2 on the year.
Mia Rubirosa went the distance in the pitching circle, allowing four hits and no earned runs, while walking two and striking out 11.
Rubirosa also led the offense with two hits, two runs batted in, and a run scored. Paige Beurer, Shyanne Raccio, Juliana Petruzziello, and Melanie Jimenez each had a pair of hits, while Petruzziello also scored twice.
Hannah Davey reached on an error to score Petruzziello in the second for a 1-0 lead, before Brianna Miller doubled and scored on a single by Raccio in the second.
North Haven scored a pair of unearned runs in the fifth to knot the game, but the Westies took the lead for good in the bottom of the inning with a pair of runs.
Raccio reached on an error with one out and scored on Petruzziello’s single. Gianna Carrano singled to score Petruzziello for a 4-2 lead.
After North Haven got within a run in the sixth, West Haven answered with a pair in the bottom of the inning. Melanie Jimenez led off with a single, before Rubirosa lined a homer to center for the 6-3 final.
Wild Win
Westies rally to top Sheehan in extra frames
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 13, 2022) - It was another victory for the West Haven softball team. Then it wasn’t before it was again.
With all the craziness of the last few innings, and after giving up an 8-run lead in the seventh, West Haven rallied to defeat Sheehan 11-10 in eight innings Friday evening at Biondi Field in West Haven.
Gianna Carrano’s double to center scored Shyanne Raccio, who had singled and stole second, to help West Haven rally for the victory.
While the victory saw a late lead disappear, it also saw sophomore Taylor Alfano pick up the victory in the pitching circle. Alfano allowed one run in 1.2 innings of work as she did not allow a hit or walk. Alfano struck out one.
Alfano’s relief appearance became necessary as Sheehan scored eight times in the seventh to even the game at 10. After West Haven failed to score in the bottom of the seventh despite loading the bases, Carrano provided the heroics an inning later.
Trailing 2-0, West Haven took a 4-2 lead in the fifth as Hannah Burrows singled to lead off the inning and scored two batters later on a single by Jimenez. After a single by Mia Rubirosa, Brianna Miller doubled to score a pair for a 3-2 lead. When Beurer singled to score Miller, West Haven was up 4-2.
The Westies (13-3) appeared to put the game away with six runs in the sixth. A sacrifice fly by Jimenez scored Carrano, Rubirosa doubled to score a pair, Beurer doubled to score two more, and Raccio singled in Beurer for a 10-2 lead.
Rubirosa, Beurer, Raccio, and Carrano led the Westies with two hits apiece, with Beurer driving in three runs, and Rubirosa, Miller, and Jimenez each knocking in two. Rubirosa, Miller, and Hannah Burrows each scored twice in the win.
Westies top Lauralton
West Haven improves to 14-3 with win
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 16, 2022) - The West Haven softball team improved to 16-3 with a 13-7 victory over Lauralton Hall Monday afternoon at Biondi Field in West Haven.
Juliana Petruzziello led the offense with three hits, two runs scored and two runs batted in. Paige Beurer and Shyanne Raccio each had a pair of hits, with Raccio scoring three times and driving in a pair, and Beurer scoring twice.
Raccio picked up the victory with four innings of six-hit ball, allowing four earned runs. Taylor Alfano pitched the final three innings, allowing one hit and two earned runs, while walking four and striking out two.
West Haven took a 3-0 lead in the first inning as Brianna Miller scored on a single by Paige Beurer and an error on the play. Petruzziello singled to score Beurer, and Raccio scored on an error.
Leading 3-1, West Haven increased the lead to six runs with four runs in the second. Mia Rubirosa started the two-out rally with a walk, Miller reached on an error to score Rubirosa, and Raccio doubled to score Miller and Beurer for a 6-1 advantage.
Lauralton Hall cut West Haven’s lead to 7-5, but West Haven responded with four runs in the fifth.
Petruzziello scored on an error, a sacrifice by Hannah Davey scored Gianna Carrano, Hannah Burrows scored on a passed ball, and Miller singled to short to score Melanie Jimenez for an 11-5 lead.
Petruzziello doubled in a run in the sixth, and Rubirosa walked to force in another.
Westies defeat Cross
WH win third straight to move to 15-3
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 17, 2022) - The West Haven softball team won its third straight contest and tenth in eleven games with a 20-8 victory over Wilbur Cross Tuesday evening on Senior Night at Biondi Field.
Paige Beurer led the offense with two hits, four runs scored, and two runs batted in, while Melanie Jimenez scored five times, Gianna Carrano drove in four and scored twice, Mia Rubirosa scored three times, and Brianna Miller scored twice and drove in a pair.
Trailing 3-0 in the first, Rubirosa scored on a wild pitch, Carrano singled to score Beurer and Shyanne Raccio, and Jimenez scored on a wild pitch for a 4-3 lead. Rubirosa capped the six-run first inning when she singled to score Carrano and Hannah Davey.
West Haven took a 7-5 lead in the second when Jimenez scored on a wild pitch. With the game even at seven, the Westies took the lead for good with four runs in the third.
Beurer singled to score Rubirosa, Raccio singled, and an error on the play scored Beurer, Julia Merola walked to force in a run, and Taylor Alfano walked to score Carrano.
Alfano picked up the win in relief, tossing 2.1 innings of 2-hit ball, allowing one earned run, while walking two and striking out two.
Late Surge
West Haven defeats Lyman Hall
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 18, 2022) - Trailing 1-0 after three innings, the West Haven softball team was looking for a spark. That spark came in the fourth inning.
Scoring six times, West Haven never stopped, adding four in the fifth and five more in the sixth, to defeat Lyman Hall 15-3 in a game stopped after sixth innings due to the mercy rule Wednesday afternoon in Wallingford.
Mia Rubirosa led West Haven with four hits, three runs batted in, and two runs scored. Gianna Carrano had three hits, scored three runs, and drove in two, while Brianna Miller and Shyanne Raccio each had a pair of hits.
West Haven (16-3) took a 6-1 lead in the fourth as Carrano doubled to score Paige Beurer and Raccio, Hannah Burrows doubled in Juliana Petruzziello and Carrano, Melanie Jimenez grounded out to score Burrows, and Miller reached on an error to score Rubirosa.
The Westies added four more runs in the fourth as Petruzziello scored on a wild pitch, Carrano scored on an error, Rubirosa doubled to score Alfano, and Miller singled to score Rubirosa.
West Haven closed its scoring with five runs in the sixth. Jimenez singled to score Carrano, Rubirosa singled to score Burrows and Jimenez, Beurer singled to score Rubirosa, and Raccio singled to score Olivia McDonnell.
Law tops Westies
West Haven ends regular season with 16-4 record
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 21, 2022) - The West Haven softball team was looking to close the regular season on a high note. Playing Jonathan Law, the Westies would surely be tested.
With an uncharacteristic four errors, West Haven fell to Law 5-1 in the regular season finale. The Westies finished the regular season with a 16-4 record.
West Haven’s lone run came to tie the game in the third. Brianna Miller doubled with two outs, Paige Beurer walked, and Shyanne Raccio singled to short to score Miller.
The Westies could not break through again as they stranded a pair of runners in the fourth, went down quietly in the fifth and sixth, and stranded a runner in the seventh.
Mia Rubirosa went the distance, allowing two earned runs on seven hits, while walking three and striking out four.
Rubirosa leads WH past Cheshire
Westies advance to SCC semifinals with 4-1 win
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 23, 2022) - West Haven pitcher Mia Rubirosa knows it is all about the will to win when it comes to postseason play. The sophomore certainly led the way against Cheshire.
Tossing a complete-game 3-hitter with seven strikeouts, while reaching base twice and scoring a run, Rubirosa led fourth-seeded West Haven to a 4-1 victory over fifth-seeded Cheshire in the quarterfinals of the Southern Connecticut Conference tournament at Biondi Field at West Haven High Monday evening.
“This is very huge,” Rubirosa said. “I wanted it very bad. I am very proud of our defense. Gianna (Carrano) had two amazing dives and the outfielders were tracking the ball the right way, making it look easy. The early lead is very important. I am very happy Brianna (Miller) got the hit. The key is wanting it, wanting to win.”
With the victory, West Haven will travel to play at top-seeded East Haven, a 2-0 winner over Shelton, in the semifinals Tuesday afternoon at 4:30 p.m.
“East Haven is a good team,” West Haven coach Joe Morrell said after his team improved to 17-4. “They got the number one seed in our league. Unfortunately, we haven’t seen them yet, but we are looking forward to the challenge.”
West Haven took a 1-0 lead in the first only to see Cheshire even the game in the third. The sign of a good team is how it responds, and West Haven did just that in the bottom of the third inning, scoring three times to take the lead for good.
Paige Beurer and Shyanne Raccio opened the inning with walks and both advanced on a ground out to second by Hannah Burrows. Gianna Carrano walked to load the bases, before Brianna Miller singled to left to score Beurer for a 2-1 lead.
An error on the play allowed Raccio to score, and also put runners on second and third with one out. Sophomore Taylor Alfano followed with a sacrifice fly to right to score Carrano for a 4-1 advantage.
“It helps our pitcher when you are up three runs,” Morrell said. “You are not nail-biting everything. If you make a mistake, it is not the end of the world, so those three runs were really important for her as well.”
The rest was up to Rubirosa and the sophomore responded in style as she retired the final 12 batters after West Haven took the lead, and 14 straight overall.
“We are hitting the ball in the air,” Cheshire coach Kristine Drust said after her team fell to 15-6. “Pop ups, unless they are over the fence, they are going to be caught. They made the plays. We have to do a better job at getting the elevation of our balls down. We need to hit the balls on the ground or line drives. We made some decent contact. We just did not put the hits together.”
The Westies took a 1-0 lead in the opening inning as Rubirosa led off with a single, stole second, moved to third on a sacrifice, and scored on Beurer’s single to right.
After West Haven stranded a pair in the second, Cheshire scored its only run in the third as Charlee Nagle walked with one out and Grace Lurz followed with a bunt single. A double steal put the pair in scoring position, before Jordan Chymbor singled to score Nagle with the equalizer.
The Rams put two more runners in scoring position in the inning, but Rubirosa escaped without further damage.
“A couple of clutch hits early on in the game would have turned the game around a little differently for us,” Drust said. “Towards the end of the game, we just could not put the hits back to back.”
Lurz led Cheshire with two hits.
Westies fall in SCC Semis
EH scores early in 9-1 win
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 24, 2022) - The run to the Southern Connecticut Conference finals has come to an end for the West Haven softball team. Falling behind by six runs in the first inning, fourth-seeded West Haven never recovered and fell to top-seeded East Haven 9-1 at East Haven High Tuesday afternoon.
With the loss, West Haven fell to 17-5 on the year and will wait to play in the state tournament next week.
West Haven trailed 7-0 before getting on the scoreboard in the fifth. Gianna Carrano and Brianna Miller singled, Taylor Alfano walked to load the bases and Mia Rubirosa hit a one-out sacrifice fly to center to score Carrano.
The Westies stranded two in the sixth and the bases loaded in the seventh.
Westies rally past Newington
WH advances to second round of state tournament
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 31, 2022) - The West Haven softball team got off to a slow start to the Class LL state tournament, but it was how the game finished which was all that mattered.
Trailing 2-0, No. 8 West Haven scored three times in the third, then added a pair of runs in each of the fifth and sixth innings to defeat No. 25 Newington 7-2 in the opening round of the state tournament at Biondi Field in West Haven Tuesday afternoon.
Shyanne Raccio led an 11-hit attack with three hits, two runs batted in, and a run scored, Mia Rubirosa had two hits, scored three times, and drove in a run, while Brianna Miller added a pair of hits and scored once.
Rubirosa also pitched well, going the distance and allowing just two hits and no earned runs, while walking two and striking out seven.
The Westies took the lead for good in the third with three runs for a 3-2 advantage. Rubirosa walked with one out, Paige Beurer followed with a two-out walk, and a single by Raccio scored Rubirosa to cut the deficit in half. Juliana Petruzziello followed with a double to left, scoring Beurer and Raccio for a 3-2 lead.
West Haven extended the lead to 5-2 in the fifth as Rubirosa, Miller, Beurer and Raccio opened the inning with singles. Beurer’s single scored Rubirosa, and Miller scored as part of a double steal attempt.
A two-out rally in the sixth sealed the victory for West Haven as Rubirosa singled to score Natalie Gallo. Following a single by Miller and a walk to Beurer, Raccio singled to score Rubirosa.
Rubirosa retired 15 of the final 17 batters she faced, including 10 in a row at one point.
Westies top Staples
WH advances to quarterfinals of state tournament
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(June 1, 2022) - The season continues for the West Haven softball team. Falling behind early, eighth-ranked West Haven rallied to top No. 24 Staples 6-5 in the second round of the Class LL state tournament at Biondi Field in West Haven.
Mia Rubirosa went the distance, allowing two earned runs on six hits, while walking one and striking out six.
Shyanne Raccio led the way with three hits, two runs scored and a run batted, while Rubirosa had two hits and a run scored, and Gianna Carrano had two hits and a run batted in.
Trailing 3-0 after a half inning, West Haven rallied to take a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the inning. Rubirosa led off with a double, Brianna Miller was hit by a pitch, and Raccio doubled with one out to score Rubirosa. Juliana Petruzziello followed with a two-run single to even the game, and Hannah Davey singled with two outs to score Petruzziello for a 4-3 lead.
After Staples evened the game in the top of the third, West Haven pulled ahead in the bottom of the inning when Hannah Burrows led off with a double, Hannah Davey sacrificed Burrows to third, and Melanie Jimenez grounded out to score Burrows.
West Haven increased the lead to 6-4 in the fourth as Raccio led off with a single, moved to second on a passed ball, and scored on a single by Carrano.
Staples scored once in the seventh, but Rubirosa got a pop out to send West Haven to the quarterfinals.
Season Over
WH falls to Danbury in Class LL quarterfinals
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(June 3, 2022) - The season for the West Haven softball team has come to a bitter end. Leading by two runs with six outs to go, eighth-seeded West Haven could not get the final out.
Top-seeded Danbury scored the tying run on a very close play in what could have been the final out of the game, before using a walk-off homer in the eleventh to end the dream season for the Westies in a 5-2 final.
West Haven led 2-1 going into the seventh, but Danbury used a one-out single, a stolen base, and a wild pitch to put the tying run on third with one out. West Haven ace Mia Rubirosa got a ground out for the second out, but a slow grounder to Paige Beurer at short was just beaten out, allowing the tying run to score.
West Haven had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the eighth as Hannah Davey walked with two outs and Melanie Jimenez singled, but Rubirosa was retired on a grounder to third to end the frame.
The Westies had another opportunity to take the lead in the eleventh, as Rubirosa singled with two outs and Brianna Miller walked, but Beurer flied to center to end the inning.
West Haven took a 2-0 lead in the fifth inning as Davey reached on an error, and pinch-runner Natalie Gallo advanced to second on a sacrifice by Melanie Jimenez. Rubirosa singled to put runners on the corners, and Miller reached on a fielder’s choice to load the bases.
Walks to Beurer and Shyanne Raccio scored Gallo and Rubirosa for a 2-0 lead, but the Westies could not push across another run.
SOFTBALL 2022
All-State Players - Stacey Dixon '93; Tammy Hackley '93; Kim DeMayo '94; Angelina Sousa '94; Shannon Curren '95; Laurie DelGrego '98; Liz Vaccino '98; Lindsay Connor '03; Vicci Duane '04; Krystle Denny '04; Shannon Connor '09, '10; Elaina Maio '10; Joanna Fekieta '11; Camdyn Morgillo '13; Kial Watts '15; Kailey Carrano '19; Ivy Santos '19
Retired Numbers - Tammy Hackley (Class of 1993) #13
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