NFA softball seniors aiming for strong finish
NORWICH ― The traditionally successful NFA softball program has honored a larger group of seniors than the four the Wildcats recognized Saturday before a 4-1 win over No. 8 North Branford.
But as far as pure impact and achievement, few NFA senior classes display the resumes that pitcher Hailey Smith, shortstop Melina Graziano, outfielder Melainey Tackling and third baseman Madison Waltke can boast.
Waltke already furnished two Class LL All-State selections with her power-hitting bat. A shortstop until a knee injury and the emergence of slick-fielding Graziano last year, Waltke has made a seamless transition to third base where she will play next season as a Division I scholarship recruit at Quinnipiac University. She is hitting in the mid .400s with six homers to date.
Graziano made Class LL All-State shortstop as a junior, batting around .333 with just a handful of errors. This year, she's lifted her batting average to around .400 while not making a single error at arguably the toughest defensive position on the field. Graziano signed a letter-of-intent to play at East Stroudsburg State, a strong Division II program in Pennsylvania.
Smith, the Wildcats' ace pitcher and productive fifth batter in the order, was named The Bulletin Player of the Year last season with a 15-5 record while leading the Wildcats to the ECC tournament final and Class LL quarterfinals.
Tackling, an outfielder, made the ECC Sportsmanship squad as a junior and gives the Wildcats a reliable left-handed slap bat, great speed on the bases and quality defense.
NFA (11-6 overall) eyes an ECC Division I regular season crown and would clinch it with a win over Waterford on Tuesday.
Coach lauds seniors
The Wildcats look to lean on the seniors to go beyond last year's postseason run, which could produce a championship or two.
“The seniors are all core parts to our team,” NFA coach Athena Jaskiewicz said. “All four are great contributors offensively, defensively and are great leaders to the underclassmen.”
Some may question whether Smith is overpowering enough on the mound to win a championship as she averages less than a strikeout per inning. But Jaskiewicz feels Smith 's control and NFA's defense can thrive in tourney play.
“Hailey is a competitor who I feel can lead us on a run,” Jaskiewicz said. “She's a competitor and even if she has a setback she competes every time she gets in the circle.”
Graziano’s errorless streak at shortstop is remarkable because she has range and gets to a lot of grounders.
“Melina is not afraid to sacrifice her body to dive for balls and has made a number of ESPN-highlight plays,” Jaskiewicz said. “Just incredible.”
Jaskiewicz believes NFA has the state's strongest left side of the infield with Waltke stepping in at third base after two seasons at shortstop.
"Madison is very comfortable at third,” Jaskiewicz said. “Her bat is phenomenal as she hits for average and great power.”
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Tough act to follow
Waltke set the bar high during her all-state freshman season when she batted over .484 and hit six homers.
“I set a high expectation for myself after my freshman year,” Waltke said. “I just try to meet that standard. I hit six (homers) apiece in my freshman and sophomore year and hit about 15 in my last summer year before I got hurt.”
Waltke also made all-state as a sophomore and was on pace to match NFA grad Hailee Schrader’s four All-State picks in four years. Schrader was a lefty leadoff batter without Waltke's power.
Tackling gives NFA reminders of Schrader's left-handed slap hitting style and gives the Wildcats a second leadoff hitter down in the order.
Highlights versus T-birds
NFA's leadoff batter, sophomore center fielder Sophie Miner, did her job Saturday against North Branford with two hits, including a bunt single to ignite NFA’s three-run third inning.
Smith's two-run triple and Ava Boenig's RBI double were the key hits.
NFA threw some leather around with Miner and right fielder Brooke Stringer making diving catches.
Wildcats catcher Amelia Driscoll, who has emerged as a top hitter and backup to injured catcher Aubrey Martin, threw out a Thunderbirds’ runner trying to steal and also picked off a runner on a failed bunt.
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Finishing strong
NFA has slipped up against good and .500 competition at times. Close losses to state powers Trumbull, Coventry and Brookfield have been followed by a pair of losses to Fitch (8-8).
Still, the Wildcats, who boast wins over Glastonbury, Waterford, Amity and North Branford, are confident they can get on a roll.
“That’s the plan,” Graziano said. “We got off to a rough start, losing games early we should have won. We'd love to have an ECC championship for the seniors and a good run in the states.”
This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Norwich Free Academy primed for big ECC and CIAC postseasons
