BEACON FALLS — One would be hard-pressed to find identical starting lineups for the Hawks so far this season.
“We’ve had some injuries and illnesses, and a lot of people playing a lot of different positions, and a lot of young kids filling in, working really hard, and we’ve improved a lot,” Woodland coach Loren Luddy said.
Despite that, the Hawks entered Tuesday’s game against Naugatuck — a game junior captain Steph Krebbs missed due to injury — winners of three straight.
Early on, it looked like win No. 4 in a row was in the cards.
Emily Caruso put Woodland on top 1-0 when she drove in Alyssa Lukeski in the bottom of the fourth. Naugatuck responded in the sixth to tie the game at 1-1 and pulled away in the seventh with four runs to win, 5-1.
“I think we played really well today,” Luddy said following the game. “In past losses we’ve made defensive mistakes and given up unearned runs. But today [Naugatuck] earned it. They got some singles through. They put the bat on the ball and they put some singles in some good spots.”
The Hawks kept Naugatuck (11-3) at bay for much of the day behind a strong pitching performance from Ivy Geloso, who stuck out 12 over seven innings and allowed eight hits.
“She’s pitching fantastic,” Luddy said of Geloso, who started pitching just last year. “She’s really keeping us tight in the games, working really hard.”
On Monday, the Hawks made quick work of Wilby in an 18-1 win in five innings.
Liz Triana tripled twice, singled twice, doubled and drove in three runs against the Wildcats (1-11). Isabel Golia doubled, singled three times, drove in two runs and scored twice. Lindsey Lionetti had two hits and two RBI.
A fluctuating lineup with young faces learning the game could take a toll on a team, but that’s not the case for Hawks.
Luddy said she’s lucky to have good leadership and sportsmanship out of the team’s three seniors — Geloso, Golia and Brianna Vallejo — who have been patient and coaching up the younger players.
“Our captains and our seniors are truly being leaders out there,” Luddy said. “The young kids, they’re finding their way.”
The younger players have also taken advantage of their opportunities. Freshman Taylor Muharem filled in for Krebbs in center field versus Naugatuck. Muharem made two big catches in the field and had a single in the bottom of the seventh as the Hawks tried to get a rally going.
As the season winds its way to a close, Woodland’s goal remains the same — getting to eight wins to qualify for the state tournament.
The Hawks took a step closer to that goal with an 8-2 win over Kennedy on Wednesday to improve to 6-7 on the season.
Geloso had a home run, a single and two RBI, and threw 10 strikeouts versus the Eagles. Caruso had a single, a double and two runs scored for Woodland. Muharem added two singles and two runs scored. Golia added three hits and an RBI.
The Hawks need two wins in their final seven games of the season to qualify for the state tournament. The Hawks will host Wolcott on Friday and Watertown on Monday.
“If we keep improving every time, we’ll be all right,” Luddy said.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated from the article that appears in the May 4 print edition of the Citizen’s News to include information on games played after press time through May 2.
