High school softball preview: An even playing field to start

Apr. 8—The beauty of the 2021 high school softball season is that every team in the state has to deal with adversity.

No one has stepped onto the diamond for a game since June of 2019 — the 2020 season was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since then, a lot has changed.

Take Somers for example. The Spartans ended the 2019 campaign with a 3-2 win over Coginchaug in the Class S championship game to win their first state title.

When the team opens the season Saturday against Coventry, however, it will be without seven starters from that team.

Still, the Spartans return an important piece in pitcher Emily Reynolds. The senior, who was the winning pitcher in the Class S title game, had a 2.02 ERA in 2019 and added a .395 batting average and 31 RBIs.

Others teams, such as South Windsor, will have to rely on more inexperienced players like pitcher Bridget Doherty to make key contributions.

The last time she put on a Bobcats uniform, Doherty was a freshman. Now a junior, she'll be tasked with filling the void left by the 2019 Connecticut Gatorade Softball Player of the Year Maria Hanchuk, who's now a pitcher at Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts.

But new-look rosters aren't the only challenges teams will deal with in 2021. Several area teams, including East Windsor, have new coaches this year.

The Panthers' challenge goes a step further. Not only do the players have to adjust to new coach Kaylee Miodonka, but also to players they don't know. The team is co-oping with SMSA this year.

But as different as things are, the season almost looks normal.

NCCC teams will play everyone in the conference rather than being split into regionalized divisions like they were in the fall and winter.

Likewise, the CCC will use its traditional East, West, North and South Divisions — along with the Patriot and Colonial subdivisions — instead of the regions it had in the fall and winter.

Traditional state tournaments will also be held, something that hasn't happened in any sport since March of 2020. The softball tournament starts on June 1, with championship games June 11-12.

The regular season begins Saturday. Here's a look at the Journal Inquirer's area teams from schools that responded to a preseason questionaire:

NCCC

Bolton

COACH: Tom St. Louis

2019 RECORD: 4-16 (4-12 NCCC)

RETURNEES: Seniors: Rachel Damboise, of; Mya Kelsey, p-1b. Juniors: Brianna Connolly, 1b-of; Samantha Sondik, inf.

OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Sophomores: Breelin McDougal, p-of; Madison Peacock, c; Caleigh Sheehan, p-inf. Freshmen: Marina Juan, inf; Vanessa Perry, inf.

OUTLOOK: After missing the Class S state tournament in 2019, Bolton looks to return to postseason play this year. To do that, the team must receive contributions from not only the four returning players from 2019, but the underclassmen as well.

Coventry

COACH: Jeff LaHouse

2019 RECORD: 19-4 (15-1 NCCC)

RETURNEES: Seniors: Abby Boya, p; Delaney Harrington; Brenna Darcey, c; Brianna Calve. Junior; Amy Prior.

OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Sophomores: Julia Boya, of; Lindsey Harrington, util; Remington Casida, c; Lily Rand; Maya Waterhouse. Freshman; Elizabeth Mitchell, p; Cadence Higgins, util; Sophia Ojala; Sophia Larrow; Caroline Wesoloskie, of; Allison King, util; Emma Bynes, util.

OUTLOOK: Senior captains Abby Boya and Delaney Harrington have been key contributors to the Patriots since they were freshmen, and LaHouse doesn't expect this year to be any different. Boya will hold things down in the circle, along with freshman Elizabeth Mitchell, while Harrington brings power and strong fielding. With three other returning players and many underclassmen, things look bright for LaHouse and his team.

East Windsor

COACH: Kaylee Miodonka

2019 RECORD: 8-13 (5-11 NCCC)

RETURNEES: Seniors: Kristin Boivin, c-of; Destiny Berrios, c; Alissa Hebert, p. Juniors: Katie Blume, 1b; Samantha Corrado, ss; Aniya Encarnacion, of; Alexandra Rosado-Rivera, of; Alex Witzke, 3b.

OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Sophomores: Samantha Diaz, of; Abby Lee, p-of. Freshman Cearra Wormstedt, 2b.

OUTLOOK: The Panthers will have to adjust to a new coach in Kaylee Miodonka as well as co-oping with SMSA this season. Still, Miodonka is excited to see how the players can gel together as the season rolls along.

Ellington

COACH: Tom Gordon

2019 RECORD: 18-5 (15-1 NCCC)

RETURNEES: Seniors: Emma Kloter; Lois Hoffman; Em Holmes; Caroline Minich. Juniors: Shannon Gaer; Erin Fitzgerald.

OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Sophomore: Sydney Matz. Freshman: Brynlee Eckels; Bryanna Cromwell; Keyleigh Flaherty.

OUTLOOK: Gordon feels that his team has the perfect combination of experienced varsity players returning and underclassmen looking to make an immediate impact. A solid defense and speed are what the Knights will rely on in order to have a strong season.

Rockville

COACH: Gary Angello

2019 RECORD: 12-10 (8-8 NCCC)

RETURNEES: Seniors: Jordyn Covert, p-1b; Alex Silver, 3b-util. Juniors: Hannah Burg, of-util; Hannah Lake, of; Amanda Margelony, of.

OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Sophomore: Madison Pitkin, c-inf; Alexis Real, p-inf.

OUTLOOK: Angello hopes that his five returning players, led by seniors Jordyn Covert and Alex Silver, will set a strong example for the underclassmen early and lead the team to another Class L state tournament.

Somers

COACH: Melanie Zamorski

2019 RECORD: 19-6 (11-5 NCCC)

KEY PLAYERS: Seniors: Emily Reynolds p-of; Gabrielle Tullock, c; Megan Lafayette, 3b; Shannon Whalen, util; Laura Riley, of. Juniors: Madison Hinkley, if-p; Bianca Green, p-of; Grace Majowicz, of; Mackenzie Mike, c-utl.

OUTLOOK: The past two years, Somers has lost seven starters from its 2019 Class S state championship team, the first title in team history. But the Spartans do return some top talent, including Emily Reynolds and Gabrielle Tullock. Reynolds, who was the winning pitcher in the 2019 championship game, had a 2.02 ERA and hit .395 with 31 RBIs. Meanwhile, Tullock was an all-NCCC selection, batting .494 with 34 RBIs.

Stafford

COACH: Donald Bradway

2019 RECORD: 14-8 (10-6 NCCC)

RETURNEES: Seniors: Emily Padegimas, inf-p; Audrey Sprague, util; Casey Milnes, c; Brooke Hubbard, inf; Rose-Anna Ravetto, of. Junior: Samantha King, inf.

OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Sophomores: Andrea Moulton, util; Jaelyn Moulton, util; Ashley Toney, p-inf; Gabriella Hubbard, of. Freshmen: Ava Marossie, of; Ava Strickland, of; Abigail Julian, inf-c; Sofia Frassinelli, inf-p.

OUTLOOK: Though the Bulldogs have lost five seniors over the past two years, Bradway feels his team returns enough experienced players to be successful. It doesn't hurt to have a strong talent pool of younger players either, which Stafford has.

Suffield

COACH: Dan Sheridan

2019 RECORD: 2-15 (2-14 NCCC)

RETURNEES: Seniors: Tori Bizon, c; Maddie Bombard, of; Eva LaFountaine, of; Molly Sheridan, p. Juniors: Michelle Fabrizi, of; Lauren Sheridan, ss; Sarah Whitehouse, 1b-p.

OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Juniors: Alli Davis, 3b; Alex Jones, of. Sophomore: Brynna Tinnirella, of. Freshmen: Rylie Baril, 2b; Colby Evans, 2b; Corey Matejek, 3b-c.

OUTLOOK: Suffield welcomes back three .300 hitters from 2019 in Molly Sheridan (.359), Lauren Sheridan (.351) and Tori Bizon (.303). Adding the speed and defense of the new players this year, along with the work ethic the team has shown, has Sheridan excited for the season.

Windsor Locks

COACH: Melissa Maltese

2019 RECORD: 13-10

RETURNEES: Senior: Abby Farr. Juniors: Angelina Jones; Rene Homan; Marena DeMonti. Sophomores: Carly MacDougald; Emily Garrity.

OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Freshmen: Alisha Burns; Emma Norris; Jordan Lucas; Isabella Canon.

OUTLOOK: Melissa Maltese takes over a squad that returns key offensive pieces, including senior Abby Farr. Rene Homan, Angelina Jones and Marena DeMonti will also be expected to contribute offensively, and the underclassmen will have to be ready to immediately fill in some gaps.

CCC East Colonial

East Catholic

COACH: Michael Lagace

2019 RECORD: 5-14 (2-7 CCC East Colonial)

RETURNEES: Seniors: Bella Flavell, p; Jailyn Harrigan, c. Juniors: Elizabeth Orchen-Baker, 3b; Ally Parent, 1b.

OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Juniors: Maddy Ellis; Rachel Shaw. Sophomore: Avery Kovalski. Freshman: Kylie Bachand-Martin.

OUTLOOK: In his first year at the helm, Lagace expects his team to show improvement this year thanks to a solid returning nucleus.

East Hartford

COACH: Brian Oatway

2019 RECORD: 4-15 (1-8 CCC East Colonial)

RETURNEES: Seniors: Madisyn Vera; Marti Adamcewicz; Avrey Coltey; Sarah Pardo; Mackenzie Stickels.

OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Sophomores: Caitlyn Breault, p; Maura Sumislaski, p; Abbi Sylvester, c; Jess Tirado, inf. Freshman: Vanessa Quealy, inf

OUTLOOK: The Hornets welcome nine underclassmen to the team this year, including infielders Vanessa Quealy and Jess Tirado, catcher Abbi Sylvester and pitchers Caitlyn Breault and Maura Sumislaski. First-year coach Brian Oatway is excited about the potential the youngsters bring, as well as the leadership his seniors provide the team.

Manchester

COACH: Danielle Vliet

2019 RECORD: 12-10 (6-4 CCC East Colonial)

RETURNEES: Seniors: Katie Lee. Juniors: Madison March, c; Victoria Resto; Nevaeh Mitchell; Olivia Zucaro.

OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Seniors: Angel Warren. Sophomores: Kate Regan; Olivia Ramsdell; Kaylen Smith.

OUTLOOK: While Vliet is excited about the new players she has this season, she also has plenty of returning weapons from a 2019 team that lost to eventual champ Southington in the second round of the Class LL tournament. One of those players, all-stater Madison March, will be a key contributor to the Red Hawks' offense.

South Windsor

COACH: Mandy Roczniak

2019 RECORD: 21-1 (10-0 CCC East Colonial)

RETURNEES: Seniors: Kenadie Gonzalez, c-inf; Kayla Vesco, of. Juniors: Bridget Doherty, p-of; Lyndsay Donston, 2b-ss.

OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Juniors: Olivia Strout, 3b-1b-c; Lindsay Carter, 1b-c-3b; Alexa Kimball. Freshmen: Taylor Nisyrios, p; Gabby Ryan, p.

OUTLOOK: The Bobcats' went undefeated in the 2019 regular season before falling to NFA in the quarterfinals of the Class LL tournament. This year, Roczniak's team will be without 10 players from that team, including pitcher Maria Hanchuk, who was the 2019 Gatorade Softball Player of the Year in Connecticut. To fill those voids, Roczniak will have to lean on the few returning players she has, as well as her youngsters. Junior Bridget Doherty will be the top pitcher while senior Kenadie Gonzalez is a key piece of the team's defense.

CCC EAST PATRIOT

Enfield

COACH: Andrea Tarbox

2019 RECORD: 14-7 (7-3 CCC East Patriot)

RETURNEES: Seniors: Kim Baumann; Kamryn Arvisais; Dani Riendeau; Makenzie Cray. Juniors: Meredith Higgins, inf; Tiffany Lubanski, p.

OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Junior: Olivia Stebbins, of. Sophomore: Taylor Lathrop, c.

OUTLOOK: As the Eagles prepare for the 2021 season, Tarbox feels that the chemistry between her experienced players and the youngsters is apparent. That bodes well for the team, which hopes to make it back to the Class LL tournament.

RHAM

COACH: Ray Bell

2019 RECORD: 4-16 (2-8 CCC East Patriot)

KEY PLAYERS: Seniors: Hannah Mullaney; Mekayla Pace. Juniors: Taylor Fitch, c; Jordyn Fitch, 2b-of-p; Linnea Carlson; Sydney Weimer. Sophomores: Hadley Marchand, p.

OUTLOOK: Bell feels that the Raptors have consistency, depth and return a solid defense this year. At the same time, he knows there may be an adjustment period as he sees how some players have grown since 2019. Senior Hannah Mullaney returns after batting .517 with 12 RBIs and 23 runs scored in 2019, while sophomore Hadley Marchand is likely to pitch most of the innings in her first season.

Tolland

COACH: Eileen Zadrozny

2019 RECORD: 5-15 (2-8 CCC East Patriot)

RETURNEES: Seniors: Rachel Lee; Natalie Shorey; Emma Anderson; Carolyn Sutton; Shanley McCaffrey. Juniors: Jordan Girard.

OUTLOOK: New coach Eileen Zadrozny has plenty of talent returning in 2021. The Eagles are hoping to use that experience to make it back to the Class L tournament for the first time since 2017.

CTC

Cheney Tech

COACH: Kiki Churchill

2019 RECORD: 4-16

RETURNEES: Senior: Alyssa Cantres, of. Juniors: Dylan Kormylo, inf; Tahira Jilu, of; Julianna Beaulieu, of.

OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Junior: Millie Sutherland, p/inf. Sophomores: Izabella Daigle, of; Hadley Gonzalez, c; Gianna Rodriguez, of; Millie Chacon, of; Olivia Beebe, p/1b. Freshmen: Niomi Charbonneau, inf; Michelys Torres, inf; Ruth Mihok, inf; Angelyna Luangpraseuth, inf; Ny'Jayah Howard, inf.

OUTLOOK: Cheney Tech has a lot of youthful and inexperienced players on the team this year, and Churchill will need those players to fill in some gaps. Still, she's excited to see how things play out.

For coverage of the Connecticut Sun and professional women's basketball, Hartford Athletic pro soccer team, as well as area high school and local youth sports, follow Adam Betz on Twitter: @AdBetz1, Facebook: Adam Betz — Sports Writer, and Instagram: @AdBetzJI.