The New Canaan Storm 14-and-under softball silenced opponents from all over the region over the weekend to win its second straight Fairfield County Fastpitch Softball League championship. The title capped a busy week in which the Storm also played in a national tournament in North Carolina.
"It's a testament to the players,'' manager John Walsh said. "They are very committed to it. They really enjoy the game. They could be off in a million different directions. They all put off vacations until August to play softball. This particular age group has some athletic softball players."
New Canaan went 5-0 to win the weekend tournament and allowed just one run in the process. The Storm beat the Ridgefield Rebel Assault, 5-1, in the championship game, behind the pitching of Cydney Ventura. In the semifinals, Devon Delallo and Ventura combined to blank the Bethel Blast, 7-0.
In pool play, Ventura beat the Fairfield Fury, 12-0; Ali Reilly blanked the Stamford Bandits, 11-0; and Delallo shut down the Ridgefield Rebels Attack, 8-0. "It's kind of crazy to go five games and let up one run,'' Walsh said. "IIt seemed like all weekend we'd score runs in bunches. Our team is very contagious. Once somebody starts hitting, they all hit."
The Storm bounced back in the weekend tournament after a disappointing showing in the PONY National tournament in Cary, N.C. The team finished tied for 33rd in the 74-team tournament. The team went 2-4-1 in its second trip to nationals in three years. "We could've won any single game we were in,'' Walsh said.
The Storm returned home Wednesday, then hustled up to Bethel for the weekend tournament. It was a softball whirlwind, but well worth it. The Storm finished the season 35-7-2 and won three of the six tournaments in which it played.
Team picture: On far left is Steve Frattaroli; On far right is John Walsh
Standing (left to right): Marlee Ready, Amanda Frattaroli, Cydney Ventura, Anna VonOehsen, Lindsay Seelert, Ali Reilly
Kneeling (left to right): Maureen Connolly, Maddie Rusch, Abby Jenkins, Devon Delallo
Sitting (left to right): Dana DeFranco, Jordan Ventura
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