Hawks battling through rough stretch

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BEACON FALLS — Every team goes through a rough patch during the season but eventually comes out of it no worse for wear.

The Woodland softball team got off to a 2-0 start by outscoring the opposition by a wide 37-5 margin. Then came a rough patch as the Hawks dropped six straight games.

On Monday, Torrington grabbed a quick 4-0 lead in the first inning against Woodland. A six-run outburst in the fourth inning led the Raiders to a 13-0 win and sent the Hawks to 2-5 on the season. Emily Brouillette, Rita Plante and Lindsey Gabianelli got the only hits for Woodland.

“It’s usually a couple of errors that extends innings that is hurting us,” Woodland head coach Loren Luddy said. “We just gave Torrington too many outs. We would be almost out of the inning without giving up a run and then an error would create an opportunity.

“Back-to-back errors in the fourth inning loaded the bases and they went on to score six runs. But our seniors have been coming up with the hits over the last couple of games, and it’s only a matter of time before we start putting it all together.”

On Wednesday, the Hawks fell to Oxford, 18-6. Ivy Geloso had a home run for the Hawks (2-6).

Woodland was very much in the game last Wednesday against Watertown, but came away on the short end of a 6-3 final. Geloso scattered 12 hits and struck out five. The Hawks had the bases loaded but came away empty when two strikeouts ended the threat.

Steph Krebbs and Gabianelli had three hits each to lead the Hawks. Geloso, Jen Triano and Emily Caruso all had hits, but 10 strikeouts by Watertown’s Taylor Mancinone held the Hawks in check.

Last Thursday, the Hawks trailed Wolcott 5-1 in the fifth inning as a lack of timely hits kept Woodland’s offense from getting on track. The game quickly came unraveled in the seventh inning when Wolcott exploded for eight runs to pull away for the 13-1 win.

Wolcott’s Nicole Antonowicz allowed just three hits and struck out 15 in a complete-game effort.

Geloso went 5 1/3 in the pitchers circle, scattering six hits and striking out six batters. She added a single and scored a run. Krebbs hit a single with Jen Triana delivering the Hawks’ only run on an RBI single.

“We are still young and inexperienced,” Luddy said. “We are still giving teams too many outs. We are working hard and getting better, but it’s taking time.

“I think now we are pressing a little bit. You are going to make errors but I think now they are getting nervous and it just causes more pressure. But they are doing a good job picking each other up. I can see steady improvement and I’m sure at some point it will start to click for us.”

The Hawks will visit Seymour on Friday.

This story has been updated from the version that appears in the April 21 print edition to include results through April 19.