By Michael Letendre
BRISTOL – Take two for the Bristol Central/Cheshire second round Class LL clash ended with another washout on Thursday afternoon.
And it’s a complete shame because No. 5 Central was up on No. 12 Cheshire by a 3-0 push going into the top of the fourth frame.
Central All-State pitching sensation Sophia Torreso had a no-hitter going, striking out three and walking four before the game was foiled with one out in the fourth.
The rain simply never let-up as gentle splashes became a full-blown downpour – ending the game as Cheshire had a couple ducks on the pond.
The visitors had the leadoff hitter on base to open the first two stanzas but nothing came of it.
Cheshire’s Grace Lurz started the contest off with a full count walk, stole second, and eventually went to third on a fielder’s choice.
But Torreso fanned Karla Carangelo to finish off the half inning without allowing a run.
In the bottom of the tilt, Central went for two runs.
Sam Sklenka and Lorelei Stancavage drew back-to-back one out walks while a wild pitch advanced the duo into scoring position.
And then Leah Sklenka (2-for-2, two RBI) sent the twosome home off a slick slicing single to right field as Central nabbed a 2-0 push through one.
To open the second, Cheshire’s Tai Byrd nabbed a walk but the Central defense did the rest – retiring the side to keep the visitors off the board.
As the rain started to intensify a bit in the bottom of the second, the locals pieced together a two-out rally to net a run.
Adrianna Lubrico started things off with a two-out single up the middle and went to second on a wild pitch.
From there, Kaley Laird sliced a base hit to short left and when the fielder struggled to pick up the ball up, Lubrico scooted home as Central’s edge reached 3-0 after two completed frames.
Torreso was sharp in the third as she struck out two and did not allow a hit through three.
And then it truly began to pour as Torreso allowed two walks in the fourth – sandwiched between a groundout by Carangelo.
But the game was quickly called due to rain, the field flooded within a 10-minute stretch as conditions simply became unplayable.
Once again, Cheshire – who probably used all its remaining gas money this year traveling to the Mum City on two separate occasions – will have to come back for a third trip on Friday.
One more time…
Is the third time the charm in this epic encounter?
Will the Central/Cheshire showdown commence on Friday?
Does Mother Nature have something else in mind?
Come down to Casey Field on Friday at 10 a.m. for a can’t miss showdown between two excellent scholastic programs.
CIAC Softball, Class LL – Second Round Showdown
BRISTOL CENTRAL 3, CHESHIRE 0
from Casey Field, Bristol – The contest was called in the fourth inning due to rain
Cheshire 000 0 – 0 0 0
Bristol Central 210 – 3 4 0
