By Michael Letendre

BRISTOL – At 18-4, the Bristol Central softball team has competed against a very strong CCC slate of games during regular season play.

And now, it’s reward time as the Rams begin the Class LL fray as the fifth ranked squad.

That means a couple home games could be in the cards if the locals can move on and keep advancing.

Central drew No. 28 Wilton in first round play this coming Tuesday at 4 p.m. in Bristol.

How do the Warriors deal with either of the two-headed monster on the squad of pitching sensations Sophia Torreso and Alex Sciarretto?

Those two juniors present problems, problems, and even more problems for opponents at the dish.

And things won’t change in the postseason.

Whether it’s one of the Sklenka’s – Samantha or Leah in the outfield – or pesky Kaley Laird at shortstop bringing superior defense, Wilton is going to have its collective hands full on both sides of the field.

If Central advances, round two would bring another home showdown against either No. 12 Cheshire or No. 21 Simsbury.

Neither one of the possible opponents played the Rams this season but Cheshire fell to Southington (14-1) back on March 27.

On that note, half of Central’s losses were to Southington this season.

If all the top seeds continue to qualify, Central could square off against No. 4 Glastonbury in quarterfinal round play on June 3.

Like Simsbury, Central has yet to tangle against Glastonbury – another strong CCC competitor.

Along with the Rams, the top five teams in the Class LL bracket includes Danbury (No. 1 seed, 19-1 overall), Southington (No. 2, 19-1) and Fairfield Ludlowe (No. 3, 19-1).

All three of those programs are championship worthy but Central belongs right in that conversation as well.

Here’s how the Class LL breaks out in 2022:

CLASS LL SOFTBALL – FIRST ROUND

No. 1 Danbury – Bye; No. 17 Brien McMahon (12-8) at No. 16 Shelton (11-7), 5/31, 4:00; No. 25 Newington (8-9) at No. 8 West Haven (16-4), 5/31, 4:00; No. 24 Staples (8-9) at No. 9 Newtown (16-4), 5/31, 4:00; No. 29 Hamden (9-11) at No. 4 Glastonbury (18-2), 5/31, 4:00; No. 20 Stamford (11-9) at No. 13 Trumbull (15-5), 5/31, 4:00; No. 28 Wilton (9-11) at No. 5 Bristol Central (17-3), 5/31, 4:00; No. 21 Simsbury (11-9) at No. 12 Cheshire (15-5), 5/31, 4:00

No. 31 Wilbur Cross (8-12) at No. 2 Southington (19-1), 5/31, 4:00; No. 18 Norwalk (11-9) at No. 15 Norwich Free Academy (13-7), 5/31, 4:00; No. 26 Conard (9-11) at No. 7 Enfield (16-4), 5/31, 4:00; No. 23 New Milford (10-10) at No. 10 Maloney (15-5), 5/31, 4:00; No. 30 Darien (9-11) at No. 3 Fairfield Ludlowe (19-1), 5/31, 4:00; No. 19 Fairfield Warde (11-9) at No. 14 Amity (13-7), 5/31, 4:00; No. 27 New Canaan (9-11) at No. 6 Hall (16-3), 5/31, 4:00; No. 22 Manchester (10-10) at No. 11 Naugatuck (15-5), 5/31, 4:00

SECOND ROUND

Brien McMahon/Shelton winner at No. 1 Danbury (19-1), 6/1, 4:00; Newington/West Haven winner vs. Staples/Newtown winner, 6/1, 4:00; Hamden/Glastonbury winner vs. Stamford/Trumbull winner, 6/1, 4:00; Wilton/Bristol Central winner vs. Simsbury/Cheshire winner, 6/1, 4:00

Wilbur Cross/Southington winner vs. Norwalk/Norwich Free Academy winner, 6/1, 4:00; Conard/Enfield winner vs. New Milford/Maloney winner, 6/1, 4:00; Darien/Fairfield Ludlowe winner vs. Fairfield Warde/Amity winner, 6/1, 4:00; New Canaan/Hall winner vs. Manchester/Naugatuck winner, 6/1, 4:00

QUARTERFINALS: June 3

SEMIFINALS: June 6-7

FINALS: June 10-11, site to be determined

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