By Michael Letendre

BRISTOL – Regardless of what happens this week, the softball program from Bristol Central has taken centerstage over postseason play and teams across the state have taken notice.

The Rams have been a top-five program in Class LL all season long behind two All-State level pitchers and a defense to match.

And in the final week of scholastic softball season, Central continues to play – and compete – at an elite level.

On Monday, a victory in the semifinal round against No. 1 Danbury would send Central to its sixth ever state title game and first championship contest since 2005.

Here’s a special look at Central’s upcoming showdown against the Hatters from Danbury:

Class LL Semifinal – No. 1 Danbury (23-2) versus No. 5 Bristol Central (21-4)

Location: Deluca Field, Stratford

When: Monday, June 6

Time: 4 p.m.

Road to the semis (Danbury): The top-ranked Hatters, by virtue of its 19-1 regular season record, earned a bye in Class LL first round play. 

In two postseason games, runs have been a premium for opposing teams as Danbury allowed only three (1.5 runs allowed-per-game).

But it wasn’t easy as Danbury had to play extra-inning games in both the second and quarterfinal rounds.

No. 16 Shelton lost to the Hatters in eight innings (3-1) back on June 1 while two days later, No. 8 West Haven left it all on the field.

West Haven fell 5-2 in 12 innings, setting up Danbury for a seminal round war against Central.

Road to the semis (Bristol Central): The fifth ranked Rams have been playing like champs – even as rain tried to nix those postseason aspirations.

In three playoff games, opponents are only averaging one run a game as pitchers Sophia Torreso and Alex Sciarretto have simply been tough to generate hits off of.

And credit the defense that’s been basically flawless over postseason play.

No. 28 Wilton (6-0) proved to be no match for Central on May 31 but two rain delays later, the Rams were able to knock off No. 12 Cheshire 3-1 and the following afternoon on Saturday, No. 13 Trumbull fell to the locals by four runs (6-2).

Head Coaches

Danbury – Erica Carboni

Bristol Central – Monica Hayes (a long time assistant and player for the softball program at BCHS)

Division

Danbury – The Hatters play in the FCIAC

Bristol Central – We all know the Rams play in the ultra-competitive CCC

The GameTimeCT Top 10 Softball Poll Rankings

Danbury – In the last poll from May 31, Danbury was ranked No. 6 and has been a staple in the rankings.

Bristol Central – Central wasn’t in the top-10 at all this year but did get enough votes for fourteenth place in that same poll.

What’s the Deal for the Rams? Central has the capability of beating any team when the squad is locked in defensively.

The Rams sterling 21-4 ledger saw the squad lose two games (Plainville and Hall) by two combined runs while the other two setbacks were at the hands of Southington.

Central finished the regular season at 17-3 and won a share of the CCC South championship.

And this year’s tremendous postseason run has surpassed the expectations of Hayes and her staff.

“When the season started, I thought we were a quarterfinal team and I just said they proved me wrong,” said Hayes after the Trumbull victory.

This team simply had a strong regular season showing with an ever-improving offense that matches it tremendous defense.

Sam Sklenka leads the charge in centerfield while Kaley Laird and Lorelei Stancavage spearheads the defense in the infield.

This postseason, Laird is batting .333 from the leadoff position while small-ball wizard Sam Sklenka is a slick 5-for-8 with four runs and has bunted the competition to death.

Leah Sklenka tallied three hits – including a big double – while Torreso batted a sterling .375 over the postseason.

At the bottom of the order, Sciarretto, Sarah Romano, and Adrianna Lubrico have all produced something at the dish over the playoff run.

Chemistry wise, this team is playing its best ball of the season as the postseason is coming to a close.

“We’ve just reached the semifinals and they’ve come together more and more as the season’s gone on,” said Hayes.

And you can put either Torreso or Sciarretto in the circle against Danbury because either pitcher could lead the Rams to the finals.

What’s the Deal for the [mad] Hatters? Danbury has dropped two of its last five games (both to Fairfield Ludlowe) as the program started the year a sizzling 18-0.

Senior Kaylee Drago has been truly amazing for Danbury, hitting two consecutive game-winning home runs to help the Hatters get to the semifinals.

In the circle, senior Haley Pucci has over 300 strikeouts while the battery is strong with Sophie Fenaroli behind the plate.

Offensively, the combination of Fenaroli, Drago, and teammate Regan Lalor went a slick 8-for-14 against West Haven over that amazing 12-inning effort.

It’s the program’s first semifinal appearance since 1987 but if the Rams play a complete game, a victory over Danbury isn’t out of the realm of possibility.

Final Thoughts

With its offense and defense clicking, Central is going to give Danbury fits on the field from Stratford.

“We’ve been able to execute more offensively,” said Hayes of the postseason run. “Defensively, we’ve been able to make more plays and be a little bit more efficient behind our pitchers.”

A local newspaper had Danbury, Glastonbury, Southington, and Fairfield Ludlowe picked as its final four in the Class LL bracket.

Well, three out of four isn’t bad – leaving out Central (that fourth pick was Glastonbury which was a team the Rams could have faced).

The Rams are more than a worthy member of that final four and don’t be fooled: The Bristol Central softball team is ready for its turn at a Class LL title shot against Danbury.