Revenge Of The Saints

By Gavin Keefe, Day Sports Writer

Published on 6/02/2007 by The Day

Montville — With each Class S state softball tournament victory, St. Bernard High School's confidence is growing.

The Saints, seeded third, took another significant step in their quest for a state championship Friday, beating No. 11 East Hampton, 5-1, in a quarterfinal game at Camp Oakdale.

“Our goal is just not to get to the semis,” coach Andrea Gaines said.

This year's run has the makings of a Redemption Tour. St. Bernard avenged a 2-1 defeat in eight innings earlier this season to East Hampton.

Next the Saints (19-4) hope to get a shot at Coginchaug of Durham, a team that many of the players on this year's team lost to in the 2005 semifinals. First, however, No. 2 Coginchaug has to beat No. 26 East Windsor today in order to set up a semifinal meeting Wednesday at West Haven High School at 4 p.m.

“Absolutely no lack of motivation,” Gaines said.

Since that semifinal loss two years ago, Gaines has watched her Saints develop into a team with few weaknesses and a balanced attack.

Six Saints accounted for all nine hits and five players drove in one run apiece to support the steady pitching of junior Marissa Thomas (15-4), who retired 15 in a row after giving up a single to lead off the game.

Thomas finished with a two-hitter, striking out five without issuing a walk.

“We all had confidence and we were ready to play,” Thomas said.

Thomas really began to settle in on the mound after her teammates handed her a 2-0 lead in the third inning. Speed and timely hitting generated the runs. With two outs, senior Felicia McGarry singled to drive in sophomore Catherine LeBlanc, who singled and advanced to second on Thomas' sacrifice bunt.

An alert McGarry took second on the throw home, stole third and scored on Casey Brigham's single.

Thomas cruised, retiring the side in order in the second, third, fourth and fifth innings and allowed only three baserunners overall. East Hampton (15-8) scored an unearned run in the seventh to break up the shutout.

“I was loose,” Thomas said. “I like a run or two. I really trust my fielders and we all work hard. Our hitting is really improving as the season goes on.”

Seniors Ellen Nixon and Rachel Greene each had RBI singles in the fourth to push the lead to 4-0. Freshman Alexa Gospodinoff added a two-out, run-scoring single in the fifth. Gospodinoff, LeBlanc and Casey Brigham each went 2-for-3.

All of St. Bernard's nine hits came in a three-inning span against losing pitcher Katharine Zawisza.

“All it takes is for one person to get a hit,” Gaines said. “We have a very contagious lineup.”

Reaching the semifinals by beating East Hampton made the victory even sweeter.

“We have been talking for what seems like 20 games about (playing East Hampton),” Gaines said. “We were all excited to get another chance.”

g.keefe@theday.com or 701-4393

Montville