Greyhounds ‘making things happen’

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NAUGATUCK — The Greyhounds have been putting the bat on the ball of late and it shows.

A 10-2 victory over Waterbury Career on Wednesday marked Naugatuck’s ninth win in a ten-game stretch. Over that stretch, Naugatuck (11-3) outscored its opponents 106-15.

“We’ve been putting the ball into play and making things happen,” said Naugatuck head coach Kevin Wesche, adding the girls have really focused on hitting drills implemented in practice. “Our defense sort of lagged behind in the beginning of the year, the past few games it’s been coming along.”

Alyssa Roberts had a single, a home run and three RBI, and tossed a six-hitter with 10 strikeouts against Waterbury Career. Jordyn Hunt had two hits, two RBI and two runs scored.

On Tuesday, Naugatuck beat Woodland, 5-1. The win over the Hawks (6-7) didn’t come easy though, as the Greyhounds struggled early against Woodland pitcher Ivy Geloso.

The Hawks struck first and took a 1-0 lead after four innings. The Greyhounds tied it up in the top of the sixth before scoring four runs in the seventh to pull away for the win.

“I saw us persevere,” Wesche said after the Woodland game. “We overcame some poor at bats, mostly because Ivy (Geloso) did a great job pitching against us. She had us swinging at pitches that maybe were a little bit out of the strike zone, which a good pitcher tries to get you do to do, and we bit on them. We were able to refocus and make good contact in the seventh inning and make some things happen.”

Alyssa Ulrich paced the Greyhounds with two hits and two RBI. Roberts had two hits of her own with a RBI. Aryana Powell and Shannon Burns each added a hit and a RBI.

Roberts kept the Hawks in check for most of the day, allowing four hits over seven innings in the circle with 10 strikeouts.

The Greyhounds’ lone loss over the last ten games came Monday in a pitchers’ duel against Oxford. The game was scoreless heading into the bottom of the seventh when the Wolverines scored the game’s only run to earn a 1-0 win.

Roberts kept the Greyhounds in the game against Oxford (10-4). The freshman struck out six and allowed six hits over 6 2/3 innings. Hunt had a double. Julia Pelliccia, Hailey Deitelbaum and Shannon Burns each had a hit.

Hitting wasn’t an issue for the Greyhounds last Saturday in a 16-1 win over Wilby.

Naugatuck spread it around against the Wildcats (1-11). Roberts and Ulrich each had three hits to go along with three RBI. Briana Tavares had hits and a RBI. Samantha Valentine had two hits and two RBI, and Powell added two RBI.

The Greyhounds, who lost seven players from last season to graduation, have been getting contributions from new and familiar faces in the lineup.

“I think all the kids have stood out. The couple of freshmen, Samantha Valentine and certainly Alyssa Roberts, have stepped up and gotten things done, especially at the plate,” Wesche said. “I think our leadership has stepped up with our three captains (Powell, Pelliccia and Deitelbaum), and I’m proud of what we’re doing.”

The Greyhounds will look to keep their bats hot as they head down the homestretch of the season.

“We’re looking to be as competitive as we possibly can and build up our standings for the NVLs as well as states,” Wesche said.

Naugatuck will play Torrington on Thursday and head to Wolcott on Monday.

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.