NAUGATUCK — Walt Disney World. The place where magic happens.
A little magic was what Naugatuck head softball coach Kevin Wesche was looking for as he took his team to the Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Florida for the fourth time since 2009 to have some fun in the sun, but also to compete.
“With any luck, we will be able to bring back a little of the warmth to Connecticut,” joked Wesche, whose team started out the season last week with losses to division foes Watertown and Woodland.
The 0-2 start is a little deceiving.
The ‘Hounds lost both games by a combined three runs and were in the games all the way to the end. In both games, they received a big blow in the late innings that essentially put the games in the books.
Leading 5-4 in the fifth inning, Kailyn Biello of Watertown nailed a two-out, two-run triple to take the 7-4 advantage. The Indians went on to win 7-6.
Woodland, on the other hand, won the game on a defensive play. Carla Piccolo made a big catch in center field with the bases loaded and no outs in the seventh inning to save the 6-4 victory for Woodland.
As for the Greyhounds, they hit the ball fairly well in their first two games. They have received production from Kara Klimaszewski, Shannon Searles, Jenna Massicotte and their pitcher, Jenna Miller. Miller and Massicotte both had two hits in the season-opener versus Watertown, while Klimaszewski and Searles both had an extra-base hit against the Hawks.
The Greyhounds took that hot hitting to the Disney Wide World of Sports complex, but this time they came out victorious.
On Sunday, Naugatuck defeated Wolcott, another division rival, 7-5, to improve to 1-2. Miller had a multi-hit game with three hits. Klimaszewski had two hits, along with Erika Andreoli, Jackie Aronin and Sandra Dinis. Miller also went the distance on the mound, giving up five runs (two earned) with six strikeouts.
The Greyhounds may have found what they needed in Disney, but Wesche said the trip is about much more than playing softball. It’s a great time for the team to come more together.
“(Disney) is a beautiful place to play, relax, bond and have fun with a wonderful group,” Wesche said.
But, Wesche said, the trip is also a great learning experience for the girls, where they carry on a lot of responsibilities as opposed to back at home.
“At the parks and complex, they need to be organized, efficient, and plan together to set up time schedules for showering, meeting times, eating and getting to destinations at the designated times,” Wesche explained. “That can only be accomplished by team work to make the dream work.”
Wesche said the borough has been a huge help in making the dream and the trip a reality.
“The Naugatuck community is one of the most generous when it comes to supporting our student-athletes,” Wesche said. “Fans dig deep into their pockets and our team truly appreciates their kindness.”
Naugy returns to the borough to host Crosby on Friday at 3:30 p.m., followed by a game at East Hartford on Saturday at 1 p.m. The Greyhounds get next week started Monday by hosting Oxford, before hitting the road on Tuesday to play Ansonia.
