Season in review: Parity, parity, parity…and two state baseball titles

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EXTRA-BASE-HITS2The keyword for the FCIAC baseball and softball seasons, going back to early April, was parity. The playoff races would be wide open. More teams than ever would have a chance to win a title.

Just two games separated the No. 2-7 seeds in the baseball tournament and, true to form, again a lower seed emerged from the fray, in this case No. 7 Danbury.

Just three games separated the top seven seeds in softball, where form usually holds once the postseason begins. But true to the 2013 form of the unpredictable, it was No. 6 seed New Canaan that caught fire and won the first league title in school history.

Softball teams had a disappointing showing in the state playoffs. Only Stamford had a deep run, advancing to the Class LL semifinals.

Baseball was a different story as two long droughts came to an end. St. Joseph won the Class M title, its first since 1985. Less than 24 hours later, New Canaan won the Class L championship and will be able to erase the dust on its lone banner, which came 63 years ago.

It was a memorable year for baseball and softball. Not because the talent level was higher than usual, but spread out more equally.

Here is a quick review with our second annual Extra-Base Hits awards.

SCHOOL OF THE YEAR: NEW CANAAN. (cue Talking Heads soundtrack): This ain’t no lacrosse, this ain’t no golf or tennis, this ain’t no fooling around…”

The New Canaan baseball team celebrates after Sunday's Class L final win over Waterford.

The New Canaan baseball team celebrates after Sunday’s Class L final win over Waterford.

What a wonderful year on the diamonds for New Canaan. The baseball team, rebounding from the disappointment of a loss to Trumbull in the opening round of the FCIAC Tournament, went the one extra step in the state playoffs, after reaching the semifinal round two years ago and losing in the final last season.

The name Casali again was prominent to baseball in the town. Older brother Curtis was one of the best players in state history and is now playing professionally. But people will be talking about the one-hitter Andrew Casali threw in Sunday’s 3-0 win for a long time.

This was a balanced team that lived up to high preseason expectations in a very difficult league.

Meanwhile, Danielle Simoneau became the first person to win an FCIAC softball title as a head coach and player after leading the Rams to their improbable win. Ali Reilly and Cydney Ventura came through with quality starts, respectively, in the semifinal and championship games. And a group of seniors that as 10-and-under players were touted to elevate their town in the sport did just that.

MVP, BASEBALL: ANDREW CASALI, NEW CANAAN. Great hitter, great pitcher, one-hitter in the biggest win in school history. Call Casali money. And with players like Greenwich’s Taylor Olmstead, Trumbull’s James DeNomme and Danbury’s Corey Brosz, just to name a few, the league was not at a loss for good players this season.

MVP, SOFTBALL: KRISTA ROBUSTELLI, STAMFORD. Darien would have been a completely different team without Erika Osherow pitching. St. Joseph’s Jenn Vazquez and Fairfield Ludlowe’s Brenna Martini are the rare leaders both with their bats AND gloves (Vazquez caught two different pitchers for the second time in three years).

Stamford's Krista Robustelli led the FCIAC in a number of offensive categories.

Stamford’s Krista Robustelli led the FCIAC in a number of offensive categories.

But I can’t remember ever seeing a team deflate after the first batter on the few times Robustelli made an opening out. That happened rarely, and the Black Knights usually re-inflated. There are few players I would ever advise intentionally walking every time up unless it would lead to the winning run. Robustelli is one.

COACH OF THE YEAR, BASEBALL: SHAUN RATCHFORD, DANBURY. You can make a reasonable case for about five coaches. We don’t have the time. One of the league coaches I respect most has always told me that Ratchford is the best coach in the league. The Hatters were the surprising winners of the league title. Sounds like a fit.

COACH OF THE YEAR, SOFTBALL: TONY ESPOSITO, STAMFORD. For 14 years, Esposito has been one of the state’s best coaches. His teams are always well prepared, they never underachieve and he gets every ounce of ability out of players who likely would indeed jump off a bridge for him if told. Esposito is a big reason the Black Knights reached the semifinals of the state tournament this year. And if a ball doesn’t deflect off an umpire in the bottom of the sixth inning against Southington? Likely, it doesn’t change the outcome. But he will always wonder.

SCHOOL WITH BALANCED SCALES: ST. JOSEPH. After a torrid start, the Cadets’ baseball team went 3-4 in their last seven conference games, including a first-round playoff loss to Fairfield Ludlowe. They regrouped during the break and, with a balanced lineup, caught fire and outscored five opponents in the state playoffs, 43-9, the last four games against higher seeds.

Evening that out was the disappointing ending for the St. Joseph softball team, which was the league’s best team during the regular season. But the Cadets were the final victims of New Canaan’s FCIAC purge and came out flat in the first round of the state tournament. The good news is that while there are a couple of big holes to fill, the Cadets will again come back loaded.

THIS HAS TO BE A FIRST: RANDY POLONIA, TRINITY CATHOLIC. The Crusaders’ great pitcher gave new meaning to standing out despite having no run support. How so? Polonia was voted to both the All-FCIAC and All-State teams….with a 1-6 record.

Trumbull's Casey Mack performed the classiest and most memorable act of the season.

Trumbull’s Casey Mack performed the classiest and most memorable act of the season.

MOST UNDERRATED ALL-FCIAC PLAYERS AT THE SAME POSITION: BRYCE MAHER, RIDGEFIELD; MORGAN KURTZ, WESTHILL. Maher, the Tigers’ shortstop, batted a team-high .435 for one of the league’s best offenses. In polling coaches for the best three players in the league, Maher’s name was mentioned several times. Kurtz made the move from her natural position at second base and was outstanding defensively. She also set the tone as the leadoff hitter for one of the conference’s highest scoring teams.

BEST STORY: CASEY MACK, TRUMBULL: The short version: Mack, without telling even his friends or his own coach, used his own money to buy two new bats that he secretly delivered to the Bassick, Bridgeport Central and Warren Harding coaches. The long version: if you haven’t already, I hope you take a second to click on the link and read this story. Not because I wrote it, but because of what Mack did. It was the impetus for the FCIAC to start a new sportsmanship award, with Mack as the first recipient — fittingly named after former Trumbull coach Jerry McDougall.

(I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @DaveRuden and like the Overtime Facebook fan page.)

 

Categories: FCIAC, General

Final Five: Vote for the Overtime Team of the Week

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The New Canaan baseball team celebrates its Class L championship.

The New Canaan baseball team celebrates its Class L championship.

teamoftheweek

We have five state championship teams on the menu this week for the final Overtime FCIAC Team of the Week vote for the 2012-13 season.

Your finalists are: the Staples boys volleyball, Wilton boys lacrosse, Darien girls lacrosse, New Canaan baseball and St. Joseph baseball teams.

The winner will get our T-shirts and a plaque, courtesy of BlueStreak Sports Training, Garden Catering, the Stamford Advocate, Karl Chevrolet, Innovative Health and Rehabilitation, Riko’s Pizza, Mitchells/Richards, Bobby Valentine’s Sports Gallery Cafe, Voice of an Angel and Dr. Brown’s Baby Products.

The Wreckers defeated Glastonbury to win the Class L championship and eighth state title.

The Warriors upset Joel Barlow to capture their second Class M title in three seasons.

The Blue Wave defeated Greenwich to win the Class L championship and 12th state title.

The Rams defeated Waterford to win the Class L title, their first since 1950.

The Cadets defeated Northwestern to win the Class M title, their first since 1985.

The voting is open until noon on Wednesday. So vote below and check back to find out who is this week’s Overtime FCIAC Team of the Week.

(I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @DaveRuden and like the Overtime Facebook fan page.)

 

Categories: FCIAC, General

A Fine Nine: Vote of the BlueStreak-Overtime Spring Female Player of the Year

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After a long list of memorable accomplishments over the past two months, it is time for you to decide who was the very best of the best. We have selected nine outstanding finalists for our annual BlueStreak-Overtime FCIAC Spring Female Player of the Year award.

The winner will receive a trophy from BlueStreak Sports Training and the Stamford Advocate.

Here are the finalists and their accomplishments (based on information submitted by coaches):

HANNAH DEBALSI, STAPLES TRACK: DeBalsi won the 1,600 at the FCIAC and Class LL championships and was second in the State Open meet, won the 3,200 at the FCIAC championships, was second at the Class LL and State Open meets and shattered the record by nearly nine seconds in winning the New England championship. She is currently ranked fourth in the nation in the 3,200.

ELLIE GRAVITTE, RIDGEFIELD TRACK: Gravitte won the javelin at the FCIAC, Class LL (for the fourth straight year), State Open (for the third straight year) and New England (for the second straight year) championships. Her throw of 152-9 at the FCIAC meet set the New England record in the event and ranked her No. 7 nationally.

TEGAN HELMS, WILTON LACROSSE: Helms had 56 goals, 19 assists and 37 ground balls, setting the school record for the most points by a midfielder.

OLIVIA HOMPE, NEW CANAAN LACROSSE: Hompe led the team with 79 goals, 35 assists, 63 draw controls, 43 caused turnovers and 41 ground balls. She broke the school record for goals (268) and was named a first team All-American.

CLAIRE HOWLETT, WESTHILL TRACK: After winning the 3,200 and placing second in the 1,600 in the Class LL championships, Howlett came back and won both events at the State Open meet, setting the state record in the 3,200. She finished third in the 1,600 at the New England championships.

BRENNA MARTINI, FAIRFIELD LUDLOWE SOFTBALL: In 21 games, Martini batted .507, with 7 home runs, 31 RBIs and 21 runs scored. She struck out just 4 times.

KRISTA ROBUSTELLI, STAMFORD SOFTBALL:  Robustelli batted .583, with 11 home runs, 35 RBIs, 42 hits — 26 for extra bases — 35 runs scored, a .777 on-base percentage, 1.277 slugging percentage and did not strike out once.

JENN VAZQUEZ, ST. JOSEPH SOFTBALL: Vazquez batted .446, with 8 home runs, 27 RBIs, a .973 slugging percentage and, at catcher, threw out 8 of 9 runners stealing. Vazquez set school records for career home runs (19) and runs batted in (93).

CAYLEE WATERS, DARIEN LACROSSE: Waters, the Blue Wave’s goaltender, stopped 143 of the 260 shots faced and allowed just 117 goals.

Those are the nine finalists. You have until noon on Thursday to select the 2013 BlueStreak-Overtime FCIAC Spring Female Player of the Year.

(I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @DaveRuden and like the Overtime Facebook fan page.)

 

 

 

Categories: FCIAC, General

A Great Eight: Vote of the BlueStreak-Overtime Spring Male Player of the Year

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After a long list of memorable accomplishments over the past two months, it is time for you to decide who was the very best of the best. We have selected eight outstanding finalists for our annual BlueStreak-Overtime FCIAC Spring Male Player of the Year award.

The winner will receive a trophy from BlueStreak Sports Training and the Stamford Advocate.

Here are the finalists and their accomplishments (based on information submitted by coaches):

COREY BROSZ, DANBURY BASEBALL: Brosz batted .307 with 16 RBIs, and finished with a 7-2 record, a 1.55 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 54 1/3 innings. Brosz was named the MVP of the FCIAC championship game.

ANDREW CASALI, NEW CANAAN BASEBALL: Casali batted .513, with 2 home runs, 29 RBIs, 27 runs scored, 13 of 31 hits for extra bases, 18 stolen bases and a .678 on-base percentagee. Casali also had an 8-1 record with a 1.97 ERA, threw a one-hit shutout in the Rams’ state championship win and was the unanimous choice as FCIAC Player of the Year (stats except for won-loss record prior to Sunday’s game).

CAL DEARTH: RIDGEFIELD LACROSSE: Dearth, one of the state’s best two-way midfielders, finished with 20 goals and 36 assists for 56 points.

JAMES DENOMME, TRUMBULL BASEBALL: DeNomme, one of the state’s top defensive catchers, batted .361, with 16 RBIs, 26 hits, 6 doubles, 15 runs scored and only struck out 3 times in 83 plate appearances.

NOAH FARRELL, WILTON TENNIS: Farrell rolled to his third successive Class L state championship.

PAUL PASTORE, GREENWICH GOLF: Pastore, the Connecticut Player of the Year, shot under par six times in 15 matches, shot a one-over par to lead the Cardinals to the FCIAC title, even par as the team finished third in the state championship and with partner Danny Guise won the Chappa Tournament.

BILLY THIBAULT, WESTHILL TRACK: Thibault won the pole vault title at the FCIAC championships with a meet-record 15-0, was third at the Class LL meet, won the State Open title with a mark of 15-0 and was second at the New England championships with a mark of 14-9.

HENRY WYNNE, STAPLES TRACK: Wynne won the 800 and 1,600 titles at the FCIAC, Class LL and State Open championships and was part of the winning 4×400 relay team at the FCIAC meet. Wynne set the New England record in winning the 800 and also won the 1,600 at the New England championships. Wynne set a state record in the 1,600 and is ranked No. 2 nationally in the 800. He set a school record with 22 career state championships and was named the state’s Male Track Athlete of the Year.

Those are the eight finalists. You have until noon on Thursday to select the 2013 BlueStreak-Overtime FCIAC Spring Male Player of the Year.

(I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @DaveRuden and like the Overtime Facebook fan page.)

Categories: FCIAC, General

Video Spotlight: A fitting ending for Hompe at New Canaan

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Olivia Hompe makes a run during her final game in a New Canaan uniform.

Olivia Hompe makes a run during her final game in a New Canaan uniform.

Olivia Hompe’s career at New Canaan High School will be remembered for a number of reasons.

She shattered all the state scoring records as a member of the Rams’ hockey team, and became the leading scorer in the lacrosse team’s history.

On Saturday afternoon in Stratford, there was a fitting ending to Hompe’s final game in a New Canaan uniform. She finished with 4 goals and 2 assists as the Rams defeated Wilton, 10-6, in the CIAC Division M final.

Hompe took home her sixth state championship trophy.

Hompe is basically a journalist’s challenge and dream, doing extraordinary things on the ice and field, and daring us to find the right adjectives to describe them.

Yet I will remember with equal fondness the many times I’ve interviewed Hompe, particularly the extended ones for feature stories. She is thoughtful, insightful, humble and has a perspective that is the equal of her extraordinary abilities.

Hompe’s career is not over, just this chapter of it. She is headed to Princeton to play lacrosse. There will be many more stories, she will just be farther away and the interviews may be done by phone.

It just seemed fitting on Saturday to interview Hompe as a Ram for the last time with the video camera rather than recorder on.

(I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @DaveRuden and like the Overtime Facebook fan page.)

 

Categories: FCIAC, General

North Stamford Exchange Club keeps giving…to boost female athletics

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Former Trinity Catholic and St. John's basketball start Da'Shena Stevens (left) with North Stamford Exchange Club scholarship winners (from left) Claire Kaptinsk, Megan D'Alessandro, Colleen Morris and Nat Senoble.

Former Trinity Catholic and St. John’s basketball star Da’Shena Stevens (left) with North Stamford Exchange Club scholarship winners (from left) Claire Kaptinski, Megan D’Alessandro, Colleen Morris and Nat Senoble.

Service clubs have been going the way of flip-phones, but one that continues to flourish and do good for its local community is the North Stamford Exchange Club. The club, in particular, has been supportive of female athletics, awarding trophies to the Stamford city champions in volleyball and softball, who are honored at annual dinners.

Perhaps the biggest honor is the North Stamford Exchange Club’s Female Scholar Athlete award. This year’s dinner was held Wednesday night. The honorees — one from each of Stamford’s four schools – were Westhill’s Megan D’Alessandro, Stamford’s Claire Kaptinski, King’s Colleen Morris and Trinity Catholic’s Nat Senoble.

Club member Tom Kriz, who oversees the event and is the girls basketball and softball coach at Trinity, always picks out an exceptional athlete with ties to the city as the guest speaker. This year’s was one of the best basketball players in Stamford history, former Trinity Catholic and St. John’s star Da’Shena Stevens.

As part of the club’s mandate, “This is an annual award given for over 30 years to honor academic as well as athletic achievements, each chosen by the school’s athletic department.”

The club awarded $3,000 in scholarships on Wednesday and has given out tens of thousands of dollars over the years.

During difficult financial times, when organizations like the North Stamford Exchange Club find fundraising to be more challenging, it has still found a way to distinguish itself for the many positives it does for its home city. As this week proved, the way it has promoted female sports — going back to the days when males and females were not always on equal footing — should be lauded.

(I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @DaveRuden and like the Overtime Facebook fan page.)

Categories: FCIAC, General

Slideshow: BlueStreak-Overtime Spring Male Player of the Year finalists

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On Thursday we announced the eight finalists for our annual BlueStreak-Overtime FCIAC Spring Male Player of the Year award.

We put together the above video slideshow of the finalists, with apologies to Noah Farrell, for whom we have no available file photo.

The winners will receive a trophy from BlueStreak Sports Training and the Stamford Advocate.

The eight male finalists are:

Corey Brosz, Danbury Baseball

Andrew Casali, New Canaan Baseball

Cal Dearth, Ridgefield Lacrosse

James DeNomme, Trumbull Baseball

Noah Farrell, Wilton Tennis

Paul Pastore, Greenwich Golf

Billy Thibault, Westhill Track

Henry Wynne, Staples Track

The voting will run from Sunday at 7 until Thursday at noon, so check back and be prepared to vote.

(I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @DaveRuden and like the Overtime Facebook fan page.)

Categories: FCIAC, General

Slideshow: BlueStreak-Overtime Spring Female Player of the Year finalists

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After a long list of memorable accomplishments over the past two months, starting on Sunday evening it is time for you to decide who was the very best of the best. We have selected nine outstanding finalists for our annual BlueStreak-Overtime FCIAC Spring Female Player of the Year award.

The winners will receive a trophy from BlueStreak Sports Training and the Stamford Advocate.

The final field was compiled after talking to and getting recommendations from a number of league coaches in each sport, as well as personal observations.

The nine female finalists are:

Hannah DeBalsi, Staples Track

Ellie Gravitte, Ridgefield Track

Tegan Helms, Wilton Lacrosse

Olivia Hompe, New Canaan Lacrosse

Claire Howlett, Westhill Track

Brenna Martini, Fairfield Ludlowe Softball

Krista Robustelli, Stamford Softball

Jenn Vazquez, St. Joseph Softball

Caylee Waters, Darien Lacrosse

The male finalists will be revealed tomorrow.

The voting will run from Sunday evening at 7 until Thursday at noon, so check back and be prepared to vote.

(I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @DaveRuden and like the Overtime Facebook fan page.)

 

Categories: FCIAC, General