BEACON FALLS – The No. 5-ranked Woodland softball team scored all of its runs in the first inning and Katie Alfiere allowed just two hits as the host Hawks blanked No. 12 Suffield, 6-0, Wednesday afternoon in the Class M second round.
The Hawks sent 11 hitters to the plate in the first, pounding out six runs on a combination of walks, hits, and errors. Lindsay Boland and Tayler Boncal led off with a pair of hits before Aubrey Roulanaitis loaded the bases with a walk.
Alfiere then walked to drive in the first run before Kaiti Lembo added an RBI single and Rebecca Norton notched a two-run single. Amanda Gomez and Kara Hames each singled later to drive in runs, making it 6-0 after the first.
“It didn’t become less easy after we scored,” Alfiere said of pitching with a six-run cushion. “It just took a lot of pressure off me. I could allow a run or two and we would still be winning.”
Woodland could not muster any more offense over its final five innings, but the Black and Gold’s lead was plenty with Alfiere in the circle.
Alfiere did not have her strongest outing of the season, uncharacteristically walking seven while striking out four. But she kept Suffield out of the important column—runs—through the entire game, even in situations with multiple runners on base.
“I just wasn’t throwing strikes,” Alfiere said. “I don’t know what else to say.”
The Hawks will travel to No. 4 Griswold Friday for a Class M quarterfinal matchup at a time to be determined.
