Fico's no-hitter gives Masuk softball title

STRATFORD - The Masuk softball team didn't want to emulate the 2007-08 New England Patriots.

For one, the Panthers didn't want to be like the Patriots, who saw their would-be undefeated season commemorative Super Bowl T-shirts shipped to an impoverished Central American village following their stunning loss to the Giants in February.

More importantly, Masuk didn't want to lose its undefeated season in the final game.

No. 2 Masuk accomplished both things, defeating No. 4 Naugatuck 1-0 in the Class LL championship game at DeLuca Field Saturday night in front of roughly 1,500 and celebrated in their newly printed back-to-back title T-shirts.

"We're not the New England Patriots and we're pretty excited about it," said Masuk coach Jacqui Sheftz, whose team finished 27-0 and won its 51st straight game.

The Panthers won behind a no-hitter twirled by junior phenom Rachele Fico and some timely two-out hitting.

Fico finished with 14 strikeouts and allowed three runners to earn MVP honors.

"I'm glad our seniors were able to go out with a bang," Fico said. "It's good because some of these girls won't be playing again."

Masuk got all it would need in the third inning, when a risk by Sheftz paid off.

With two out and senior Haley Dorne on first, classmate Alyssa Pagano smacked a double over Naugatuck right fielder Corinna Hussey.

Sheftz, coaching third base, decided to hold Dorne at third and not risk the final out at the

plate. "I knew that Naugatuck's best arms were in right and second base," Sheftz said. "We had our 2-3-4 coming up and I knew Sam Barbessi would be able to put the ball in play."

Barbessi made the decision pay off when she grounded the first pitch from Naugatuck starter Alana Wesche to short and beat the throw to first, allowing Dorne to scoot home with what turned out to be the winning run.

"I'm not much of a hitter, I'm more in there for my speed," said Barbessi, noting it was important to win after the school's baseball team dropped the Class LL title game the previous night. "When I hit it, I just took off and didn't even look. I put my head down and sprinted to the base."

The run held up as the NVL champion Greyhounds couldn't figure out Fico.

Naugatuck's first baserunner came in the third when Melissa Salamon was hit by Fico to start the inning.

With one out Masuk senior catcher Caitlin Viccari threw out Salamon attempting to steal second, ending the threat.

The Greyhounds (23-4) got a runner to second with one out in the fifth via a Jessica Russell leadoff walk followed by a sacrifice.

Fico took care of it herself, striking out the next two batters.

"We did everything we could to stay in the game," said Naugatuck coach Kevin Wesche, noting his team turned two double plays on fly balls.

Naugatuck mounted one more threat when Julia Longo drew a two-out walk in the sixth, but Fico again took care of it herself when she fielded Alexis Granahan's chopper and tagged her in a mild collision on the baseline.

Fico struck out the side in the seventh - including former Great Oak Middle School (Oxford) teammate Wesche - to give Masuk its second title in as many seasons.

"I couldn't imagine a better way to end our season than like this," Dorne said.

Class LL softball final at DeLuca Field, Stratford

NAUGATUCK000 000 0 — 0 0 1
MASUK001 000 x — 1 4 0
Records: Naugatuck 23-4; Masuk 27-0
Batteries: N — Alana Wesche (L, 23-4) and Jessica Morrissey; M — Rachele Fico (W, 27-0) and Caitlin Viccari