By Michael Letendre

As championship day approaches for the Bristol Central softball team, TBE is looking back at the last two squads from the Rams’ program to make it to the championship round.

Central put together tremendous campaigns over the 2004 and 2005 seasons, led by head coach Phil Pirog – no stranger to championship encounters – along with pitching sensation Breanna Gleason.

And a certain head coach from Southington was a defensive minded infielder for the Rams over 2004-05, helping the squad to two runner-up finishes in Class LL championship tilts.

Over the years, the programs from Central and Southington have been part of multiple postseason wars – including the Class LL game in 2004.

Will 2022 be the year Central finally gets its revenge against the Knights, a rematch 18 years in the making?

Here’s how the last two state title game appearances have gone for the Bristol Central softball program:

Class LL Championship – June 12, 2004 (DeLuca Field, Stratford)

No. 2 Southington 2, No. 8 Bristol Central 0

Back in 2004, the Knights and Rams battled in the Class LL finals in a very competitive bracket and Southington was able to topple Central by a 2-0 final – moving to a perfect 24-0 to cap a historic season.

The Knights allowed just two total runs that year which tied a national record as Southington ended up winning its 14th state championship.

Natalie Volpe struck out 10 to earn MVP honors against the Rams.

Central shortstop Davina Hernandez played excellent defense that day as Southington scored both its runs via RBI groundouts.

Gleason earned a tough luck loss off the two-run, eight hitter for the Rams.

Central managed to tally just three total hits against the talented Volpe but put some pressure on the pitcher from the start.

Jamie Matesky had a first inning hit for Central as the squad had two runners on early but Volpe and her defense wiggled out of the jam.

Central ended its season with a sterling 20-5 record and managed to get to the state title game the following year as well.

Class LL Championship – June 11, 2005 (DeLuca Field, Stratford)

No. 1 Amity 2, No. 7 Bristol Central 0

After finally toppling Southington (1-0) in the semifinal round, the Rams battled top ranked Amity – another undefeated program (27-0) in the final round.

In the semis that season, Gleason allowed just two hits, Kristen Rinas tallied the game-winning hit while Hernandez played more amazing defense at shortstop to earn another shot at the Class LL crown.

And it was a chance for the locals to final tally that one elusive Class LL title.

However, the Spartans were undefeated for a reason that year as freshman pitcher Lauren Bespuda got the best of Gleason that day – zipping up a no-hitter – to propel Amity to a 2-0 championship victory.

Gleason was sharp, allowing just four hits and had a tremendous season, as the Rams ended the year at 22-3 and were 44-8 over the 2004 and 2005 seasons combined.

Behind the dish, Sarah Clavette worked well with Gleason.

Championship Tilts

Central has played in five championship games in its history, going 1-4 over those contests.

The lone victory came in 1985 when top-seeded Central defeated Windham (3-2) to capture the Class L title from Falcon Field in Meriden on June 8.

Kim Corbin (seven Ks, no walks) threw a two-hitter to capture the win for the Rams.

And with the bases loaded in the top of the third, Laura Fortier had the hit of the game as she drilled a two-RBI single to make it a 2-0 game.

Central added a run in the sixth to secure a 3-0 push and held off the Whippets in the bottom of the seventh to propel the Rams to its only championship in program history.

The Rams went 20-2 that season while Windham (20-1) lost for the first time (of note, Southington won the Class LL championship that day, defeating rival Cheshire 2-1 for its sixth title overall and the first of four straight).

In 1982, the Rams made it to the Class L finals but dropped a tough 3-2 decision to Lyman Hall and in 2001, No. 6 Central had its first state final contest against No. 12 Amity – dropping a heartbreaking 2-1 decision in 10 innings.

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