Southington High Comes Up Short In Softball Championship Bid

STORRS, CT — Going into Saturday's CIAC Class LL softball championship game, undefeated Southington High School had barely been challenged, let alone beaten, en route to a possible repeat.

But Fairfield Ludlowe High School wasn't paying attention to the script and the fact their 5-2 victory to win the title was only a mild upset was a testament to just how good they were themselves.

After all, the Falcons were only one run away from being undefeated themselves heading into Saturday night's title game in Storrs.

The day's softball state championship proceedings at Burrill Family Field at the University of Connecticut resembled a big time boxing card.

And the fourth and final game of the day — #1 Southington versus #2 Fairfield Ludlowe — was the main event by a long shot.

Southington's Lady Knights, seeking to repeat as state champs, were undefeated and untested in the tournament, for a 23-0 recored, while the Ludlowe Falcons were a combined 22-1.

But on this day, while Southington became the 2007 New England Patriots, the Falcons were far from the 2007 New York Giants. They knew they could win and they planned for it.

"I'm really happy for the girls. We came in with a specific plan," said Fairfield Ludlowe softball coach Lou Bunossa.

Part of that plan was making contact, playing small ball softball and getting an early lead.

Then, he said, it was a matter of relying on good pitching and defense.

Mission accomplished.

While senior Chelsea Villar was named the game's MVP, the other MVP was senior relief pitcher Anna Gedacht.

She channeled her inner 1977 Sparky Lyle (Check Youtube and search 1977 ALCS). She literally saved the day for Fairfield Ludlowe.

Gedacht was brought in to replace junior pitcher Alex Lewey (who pitched well herself) with the bases loaded, nobody out in the fifth and her team already nursing a 4-1 lead.

A lot could have gone wrong.

But after a quick strikeout, Southington only got one run with Gedacht on the mound. Lead preserved. A championship was about to be won.

"I'm happy. This is the outcome we deserved," said the future Division I player for Merrimack College Gedacht, adding her trust in her teammates made the seemingly pressure-packed situation manageable.

"I'm able to trust my defense behind me," Gedacht said after closing out the game pitching the fifth, sixth and seventh inning.

Added Bunossa, "We've been doing that all year. She has nerves of steel, icewater in her veins, whatever cliché."

Both squads were loaded with experienced seniors who've played in their fair share of big games.

But it was Southington that got off to a shaky start as they fell behind 2-0 to Ludlowe in the first inning.

Ludlowe senior Elena Ohe singled up middle on first pitch of game, eventually scoring from third after a ground out to senior Southington pitcher Stella Blanchard, who took the loss.

Then, Ludlowe senior Katie Tournas drove in the second run with a comeback to the pitcher that became a single when no one covered first for Southington.

Scoring on the play was senior Della Jackson, giving Ludlowe a fast 2-0 lead.

Reese then led off the top of the third with a double, advanced to third on a double by Villar and scored on a comebacker to the pitcher, making it 3-0.

Villar then stole home to make it 4-0 as part of a double steal on a strikeout in the third.

But just when it seemed Southington would go quietly into the late spring night, they woke up.

Junior Mallory Rohon for Southington destroyed a pitch over the left field wall for a solo homer, making it 4-1 Ludlowe.

Southington then loaded the bases, prompting Bunosso to bring in her fireballing closer, who struck out the first batter she faced in the fifth.

But with one out in the fifth, Gedacht plunked Southington senior Elyse Picard with the bases loaded to make it 4-2 Ludlowe over Southington.

But there was no further damage and the game moved into the later innings.

An insurance run in the seventh inning gave Fairfield Ludlowe a 5-2 lead, which was the final score.

"We played a lot of tough games," Bunosso said, alluding to the Southington softball program's greatness. "They are a phenomenal high school softball program, so it's really sweet to beat them."