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STAMFORD, Conn. Westhills softball team won the Class LL state title in 2010 and lost in the championship game last year. If the Vikings are going to play in their third straight title game, they will need contributions from some new additions.
The Vikings lost three key players from last years squad, which lost to Conard, 4-1, in the title game. Westhill also lost to Fairfield Ludlowe, 1-0, in the opening round of the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference. Those were the only blemishes on a 23-2 season.
Westhill struggled to score in both of those games, and that is coach Tom Pias primary concern as the Vikings start out in 2012.
We need to work on our hitting, especially with our pitch selection, Pia said after the Vikings beat Trinity Catholic, 14-0, on Saturday. They go up there and say theyre going to hit the first pitch. They swing at it no matter where it is.
Westhills key players to replace are Brittney Horn, Eileen Tublin and Erin Downey, who were instrumental in the Vikings two-year run to the state title game. But the Vikings do have pitcher Allison Macari back in the circle; catcher Elizabeth Joseph, center fielder Allie Souza, third baseman Cassandra Kish, shortstop Kate Brainard, first baseman Meg DAllesandro and right fielder Emily Spoto were also important contributors last year.
Some of the new additions this year are junior left fielder Tami Wise and second baseman Morgan Kurtz.
I feel like we can go pretty far, said Joseph, a three-year starter. We still have a lot of work ahead of us. We need some of our juniors to step up, but we have seniors that have a lot of experience.
Westhill will get an indication early of its flaws that need attention. The Vikings play Trumbull, a perennial league contender, at home on Monday. On Friday, they host defending league champion Darien.
I feel as though the girls think they have unfinished business, Pia said. But for them to get back to the championship game, they need to know how to put in an extra gear in practices and in games. If they can do that, then they will be fine.
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