Connecticut

Top 10 Connecticut high school softball rankings (4/6/2025)

Published

1 year ago

April 7, 2025

Top 10 Connecticut high school softball rankings (4/6/2025)

Break out the bats and gloves as high school softball season is upon us across the country, especially in the Constitution State. One of the tops when it comes to high level softball, Connecticut features several teams that are among the New England region’s best around.

Starting off at the top spot is the Masuk Panthers, as they are in the conversation as one of the New England’s top squads. The Panthers didn’t play but we don’t drop them whatsoever because of that.

Besides them, who else is among the elites when it comes to high school softball in Connecticut? Take a look at our Power 10 rankings as we give you our list ahead of the first full week of regular season games.

The Panthers are coming off an undefeated season at 28-0 and being back senior Julia Bacoulis (Florida Gulf Coast commit), who batted .450 with 10 home runs and 37 RBIs in 2024. On the mound, Bacoulis went 19-0 with a 0.80 earned run average and 259 strikeouts.

There’s a lot to like about the Knights this season and one of them is the return of star pitcher Camryn Fisher. The ace pitcher was one of the state’s best on the mound, going 20-1 with a incredible 0.20 earned run average and 324 strikeouts. The Knights opened the season with a 16-0 rout of Rockville.

Coming in at the third spot in our rankings are the Rams, after they fell just short of winning it all in Class LL. With their only losses last season coming up against Masuk and Ludlowe, Cheshire began the season with a narrow 4-2 victory over Ludlowe.

Starting off the season with a bang was the Hawks, as they cruised to a 17-4 win over Naugatuck. You have to really like the roster that Woodland Regional will be bringing back this spring, with senior ace pitcher Ella VanAlstyne returning to the mound. Last year as a junior, Van Alstyne (UMass Lowell commit) went 13-1 with 140 strikeouts for the Hawks.

The Coventry Patriots finished the 2024 regular season with an impressive record of 23-2, but lose Elizabeth Mitchell to graduation from a year ago. Coventry still returns a bevy of solid hitters to the lineup and remain one of the state’s top clubs.

Not far from the middle of the pack is the Cadets, who themselves a contender in Class L in a 2-0 victory over a very good North Haven squad. Katie Dzialo comes back for her junior campaign as she went 16-3 with 187 strikeouts in 2024.

Dropping the season opener 4-2 against Cheshire we feel like isn’t a reason to really drop the Falcons too far down. Ludlowe’s top player from a year ago returns is infielder Gina Solow (Albertus Magnus College commit), who batted .420 with 20 RBIs and 11 doubles in 2024.

One of the state’s top power hitters is back in the lineup for the Nighthawks in Alexandra Anquillare. Last season as a junior the first baseman/outfielder belted five homers and drove in 38 runs. North Haven fell 2-0 against St. Joseph and is another team we won’t penalized too heavy for its first game.

Guilford was the Cinderella story from a year ago in the Class L tournament as the No. 13 seed and nearly upended Masuk in the semifinals. The Grizzlies graduated a bit, but return an experienced team that could very well make another deep run.

The Tigers were a mixed bag at times during the middle of the 2024 season, but when it came down to it, Mercy was one of the state’s best teams. Mercy opened the spring campaign up with a 7-4 victory over Ridgefield.

Follow High School On SI throughout the 2025 high school softball season for Live Updates, the most up to date Schedules & Scores and complete coverage from the preseason through the state championships!

Be sure to Bookmark High School on SI for all of the latest high school softball news.

To get live updates on your phone – as well as follow your favorite teams and top games – you can download the SBLive Sports app: Download iPhone App| Download Android App

— Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @highschoolonsi

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Connecticut

Driver sent to hospital after one-car crash on I-95 in Old Lyme, police say

Published

4 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Press Room

Driver sent to hospital after one-car crash on I-95 in Old Lyme, police say

OLD LYME — A driver was injured and taken to the hospital after a one-car crash on Interstate 95 Thursday night in Old Lyme, according to state police.

The state Department of Transportation reported the crash occurred on I-95 north before Exit 71 around 9:40 p.m.

Connecticut State Police said the driver was conscious and alert, and their injuries were not life-threatening.

The crash closed the left lane, according to state police. The incident was cleared around 11:50 p.m., according to the DOT.

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Connecticut

Connecticut ticks back with a vengeance this year

Published

16 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Press Room

Connecticut ticks back with a vengeance this year

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — After a record year in 2025, the Connecticut Agriculture Experiment Station said that in under two weeks there have been more than 200 reported tick bites.

“I do not know whether this trend will continue or slow down,” Connecticut Tick Surveillance Program Director Dr. Goudarz Molaei said. “I suspect that it will continue and will get worse.”

In 2025, there were more than 6,000 reported bites, which is double the average.

It would be a mistake to think that this winter’s cold weather killed the ticks. In fact, many ticks were saved by this winter’s snow.

“It’s like a warm blanket for ticks,” Dr. Molaei said. “They hide underneath the snow and they are protected.”

These early ticks are almost exclusively blacklegged ticks. Research shows more than 50% are carrying Lyme Disease. Come this spring, four more tick species will arrive in Connecticut, with each breed carrying different diseases.

Ticks in Connecticut usually live in the woods. But not just in trees or in the grass, they could also be in leaves on the ground.

“Even though it looks goofy, I always make sure I have a thick sock and that it covers the lower half of your calf,” Ji Xue, who runs in East Rock Park, said.

Experts say you should spray on a pesticide before going outside. Upon returning, thoroughly check the body and put all clothes in the wash.

“I actually had Lyme Disease as a kid because I grew up in upstate New York,” Sean Cohen, a father of two young boys, said. “We are just extra aware of it, especially because the kids have very thick, dark hair. We just try to be on top of checking out for it.”

“I know some people who already refuse to take their dogs on hikes anymore because they are so scared,” Xue said.

Most importantly, if a tick bites you, either send it in for testing or keep the tick. If you get sick, the doctors need to know what kind of tick infected you.

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Connecticut

UGA student dies after fall while hiking in Connecticut

Published

1 day ago

April 9, 2026

Press Room

UGA student dies after fall while hiking in Connecticut

article

William Cooper Gatch. Photo courtesy of Joiner Anderson Funeral Home

ATHENS. Ga. – A University of Georgia student from Georgia has died after falling during a hike in Connecticut, according to UGA’s Red & Black.

What we know:

Police identified the victim as 23-year-old William Cooper Gatch of Statesboro. Gatch was a senior majoring in agricultural education at the University of Georgia and was set to graduate in May.

Investigators say Gatch was hiking with his sister at Sleeping Giant State Park when he fell along an unmarked trail. He was later located in a wooded area and died from his injuries.

Officials with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Environmental Conservation Police are investigating the incident. Early findings suggest the fall was accidental.

What they’re saying:

According to his obituary, Gatch was known for his curiosity and compassion, qualities that shaped his interest in agricultural education and mentoring others. During his final semester, he was completing his student teaching at Madison County High School.

His obituary describes him as someone who was deeply loved by those around him.

Athens-Clarke CountyGeorgiaNews

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