Naugy, Woodland run up against aces

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Naugatuck’s Jenna Miller went the distance in the circle versus Torrington in the NVL softball quarterfinals May 23. Torrington won the game, 6-1.
Naugatuck’s Jenna Miller went the distance in the circle versus Torrington in the NVL softball quarterfinals May 23. Torrington won the game, 6-1. -FILE PHOTO

The Naugatuck and Woodland softball teams had short runs in the NVL softball tournament dropping quarterfinal matchups on Saturday.

The No. 6 Greyhounds were held to four hits as No. 3 Torrington came away with a 6-0 decision. The No. 8 Hawks faced off against No. 1 Oxford and came up on the short end of a 4-1 final margin.

Jenna Miller went the distance for Naugatuck against the Raiders. The ‘Hounds were very much in the game trailing 2-0 after the second inning. Torrington put it away when a couple of fielding errors led to a four-run outburst later in the game. Ali DuBois held Naugatuck to just four hits.

“Torrington has been pretty tough on us in three games, outscoring us 28-5,” Naugatuck head coach Kevin Wesche said. “Jenna pitched a good game and kept us in it. We managed to string some hits together, but DuBois is a very good pitcher and their defense backs up their offense.”

Stephanie Kiley scattered just six hits to give Woodland a chance against the Wolverines. The Hawks were outmatched by Ashley Guillette, who allowed just two hits and belted a two-run double in the first inning to put Oxford on top. Cameron Caswell slammed a fourth-inning home run to cut the deficit to 3-1 but Woodland couldn’t score again facing the NVL pitcher of the year.

“We did a lot better making contact than the first time we faced Oxford,” Woodland head coach Loren Luddy said. “The girls came to the plate and weren’t intimidated.

“Stephanie pitched a good game giving us a chance. Cameron is having a great year offensively and her home run there was no doubt about it. Our defense especially in the outfield was solid and as a team we are getting better each week.”

Naugatuck and Woodland will now prepare for the upcoming CIAC state tournament. Pairings will be announced on Friday. Both Naugatuck and Woodland may face some familiar opponents.

The Greyhounds are ranked 17th in the field of 28 teams in the Class L division. A run in the states could mean rematches versus league opponents Torrington or Watertown along the way.

Woodland is ranked 25th out of 29 teams in the Class M division. Oxford, the 2013 Class S state champion, and Seymour, the 2014 Class M champion, are also in the division.