By Michael Letendre

BRISTOL – The Plainville softball team was able to surprise CCC South rival Bristol Central last season, just over 365 days ago, seizing a 3-2 win.

Fast forward to Wednesday in a rematch between the squads and there wouldn’t be any surprises this time around against the Rams.

Central, behind the power of standout pitcher Alex Sciarretto, allowed the Blue Devils just three hits and a single run as the program downed Plainville by a 13-1 final in five innings from the softball field at BCHS.

With the victory, Central improved to a perfect 4-0 while Plainville (2-2) fell for the second time in two games.

Plainville only managed to hit two balls out of the infield as Sciarretto piled up five Ks and allowed just one walk while Plainville batted just .150 (3-of-20) for the game.

“I felt really good today,” said Sciarretto. “I’ve been sick for the past two days so coming back today, my team was behind me and knowing that I always have a team for defense and offense is really nice.”

Central’s defense was sound for most of the outing but when Plainville could have taken advantage of a couple gaffes by the Rams in the field, perhaps even having the opportunity to tie the game up, only minimal damage was inflicted.

“We made a couple errors but we made play after play on top of that,” said Central coach Monica Hayes. “We played some good defense. Plainville put the ball in play a lot so they forced us to make plays and I was pleased with our efforts especially our response when we did have a few errors and some misplayed balls. But our response to that was we came out and shut them down.”

After a 1-2-3 inning by Central to open the first frame, it was time for the locals to put a little offense on the scoreboard.

Central went for three runs in the bottom of the first to seize a 3-0 lead.

With one away, Sam Sklenka (2-for-3, two runs) out-ran a bunt hit, eventually leading to a two-out rally for the program.

Sciarretto (1-for-2, two runs, two walks) dropped a one-hopper into right field to put runners on the corners and from there, Pia Torreso slipped a two-hopper to right – plating Sklenka – as the home team led 1-0.

And then Lorelei Stancavage (1-for-2, sac fly, four RBI) lofted a Texas Leaguer just behind second to clear the bases as her two-RBI tally gave Central a 3-0 push through one completed inning.

Plainville’s Alexis Graft drew a one-out walk in the second but eventually was tagged out leaving second base on a fielder’s choice, off a slick tag by Adrianna Lubrico, as the Blue Devils were quickly back in the field.

And while Central didn’t net a run in the second, Plainville made things interesting in the third – trimming the deficit to two and putting runners on second and third off miscues made in the field.

Plainville’s Amanda Linnhoff dropped in a base hit to left to score Natalie Root, making it a 3-1 contest and the Blue Devils continued to threaten, putting runners on second and third with two away.

But Sciarretto induced a fly-ball out on Nora Couture as Central escaped its only jam of the afternoon.

“We got out of that inning [only] allowing the one run,” said Hayes of the third inning. “And two errors and a 3-0 count…I think to give up only one run in that scenario – especially as it was only 3-1 at that point – that’s pretty efficient.”

Leah Sklenka (2-for-4) opened up the bottom of the third with an infield hit that bounced off relief pitcher Kali Fangiullo’s glove over to shortstop.

And when the ball was thrown away at first base, Sklenka ended up at second.

Sciarretto and Torreso then drew back-to-back base-on-balls to load up things up with Stancavage on deck.

Stancavage eventually lofted a ball to deep right field for the first out but Sklenka and pinch-runner Sierra Messier (three runs) scored on the play as the sacrifice fly made it 5-1 in favor of Central.

Desiree Nickerson (2-for-4, two runs, RBI) followed up with a single to left, scoring Torreso from second, as Central sized up a 7-1 cushion.

“I thought Desiree did a great job out there, got her some innings,” said Hayes of Nickerson. “She’s fantastic. She’s learning every single day. I thought she did a fantastic job out there.”

Lily VanNostrand (double, walk, two RBI), a talented freshman, and Kaley Laird followed with walks and Sam Sklenka bunted her way on again to load things up.

But a line drive to first by Leah Sklenka, as Central had batted around, ended the third but the home team was up by six runs.

Plainville’s Faith Emery had a one-out infield single in the fourth, stole second but nothing came of it while Plainville turned to Tess Couture in the circle to start the bottom of the tilt.

Sciarretto walked to open the frame and with two gone, Nickerson reached base via an error.

And then VanNostrand unleashed the loudest hit of the day as she slammed a ball to the fence in center to clear the bases as her double made it a 9-1 game.

From there, reserve Tori Hogan flipped a single into right as the RBI tally propelled the Rams to a 10-1 edge.

“I think the freshmen have really showed their place on this team,” said Sciarretto. “Throughout all the grades, they’ve really showed how they can help the team. I thought it was really great.”  

Plainville’s Marissa Miller dropped in a one-out double in the fifth but Sciarretto zipped up a couple strikeouts to stave off the offense as the nine-run deficit loomed on the scoreboard.

And in the bottom of the fifth, Central made things academic.

Sam Sklenka walked to start the inning and later scored on a passed ball and Leah Sklenka, who singled to get on base, scooted home on a wild pitch to make it a 12-1 contest.

To end the event, Stancavage drew a base-on-balls and when Nickerson absolutely kicked a ball to the outfield for a stand-up triple, pinch runner Emma Kulak tagged the dish to finish things via the mercy-rule as Central nabbed a big 13-1 victory to move to a perfect 4-0. 

Up next will be a stern challenge against Pomperaug on the road (Friday, 1:45 p.m.) in a big time non-conference clash.

“We’re just going to have to bring our A-game like we do every day,” said Hayes of the Pomperaug challenge. “[Torreso] will probably be back on the mound Friday and we’ll give it our best shot.”

Bristol Central Softball – CCC South Action 

BRISTOL CENTRAL 13, PLAINVILLE 1 (5)  

from Bristol Central High School 

Plainville (2-2)                      001 00 – 1 3 5 

Bristol Central (4-0)             304 33 – 13 11 2 

Battery – Plainville: Grace Geddes, Kali Fangiullo (3), Tess Couture (5) & Amanda Linnhoff; Bristol Central: Alex Sciarretto & Lorelei Stancavage. 

WP – Alex Sciarretto (Bristol Central); LP – Grace Geddes (Plainville) 

Plainville Batting 

2B – Marissa Miller 

3B – None 

HR – None 

Bristol Central Batting 

2B – Lily VanNostrand 

3B – Desiree Nickerson

HR – None 

Records: Bristol Central 4-0 overall; Plainville 2-2. 

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