By Michael Letendre

BRISTOL – After dropping a tough 7-6 decision to Lewis Mills on Saturday, the Bristol Eastern softball squad turned around to pick off a very good Tolland squad by a 6-3 push Monday afternoon.

The Lancers moved to 10-8 overall on the campaign, winning their fifth contest in six tries.

The Eagles fell to 12-4 overall, winning eight of nine coming into the showdown in Bristol.

Bristol led 6-0 through five innings of work and never looked back.

Ashley Serafin was busy on both sides of the plate for the home team.

On the pitching front, the senior threw seven strong innings – earning a complete game victory.

She allowed six hits, three earned runs, walked only one and struck out seven over a complete game effort.

And by the time the Eagles generated any momentum in the showdown, the squad was too far behind on the scoreboard.

Serafin went 1-for-3 with a two-RBI single while Emily Valentine smacked out a two-RBI double to pace the offense.

Makayla Antunes also added a hit while Gracie Browne added one as Eastern made all four of its hits count.

Jazmyn Brown scored two runs, as did Valentine, while Gracie Browne and Madi Charette also tallied a run apiece. 

Defensively, Sarah Lacouture – the senior behind the dish – made a team-leading seven putouts while Gracie Browne added five.

The victory put Eastern around the 21st position in the current Class L playoff field (Bristol Central is second at 17-1) as only two games remain on the docket.

In a back-to-back challenge, Conard comes to Bristol on Wednesday (4 p.m.) while Central and Eastern tangle on Thursday (4:15 p.m.) from the softball field at BCHS.

Bristol Eastern Softball – CCC South Action 

BRISTOL EASTERN 6, TOLLAND 3 

from the softball field on King Street, Bristol 

Tolland (12-4)       000 002 1 – 3 6 *

Bristol Eastern (10-8)        013 020 x – 6 4 1

WP: Ashley Serafin (Bristol Eastern). 

Bristol Eastern Batting   

2B – Emily Valentine

3B – None   

HR – None 

Records: Bristol Eastern 10-8 overall; Tolland 12-4.