Softball: Driscoll powers NFA to win over East Lyme
Norwich Free Academy’s Amelia Driscoll already had a day to remember when she stepped to the plate in the seventh inning. The Wildcats sophomore was 4-for-4 and had driven in five runs, including three with a mammoth home run.
Driscoll, however, wasn’t done.
She lined a single into right field that scored two more runs, capping a legendary five-hit, seven RBI performance.
“I’m just hoping to hit the ball into the gaps,” Driscoll said.
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Powered by Driscoll and the pitching of senior Hailey Smith, Norwich Free Academy upended East Lyme, 10-3, at Veterans Memorial Field in Niantic.
Driscoll, who is the Wildcats' backup catcher and lead-off hitter, gave NFA a 3-0 lead with a single to center in the top of the second.
“It’s different batting lead-off,” Driscoll said. “It’s fun. You don’t know what to expect.”
After the Vikings closed the gap to 3-2, NFA senior Melainey Tackling (two hits) opened the fourth inning with a double, Kenzie Rathbun drew a walk and with one out Dricsoll crushed a “perfect pitch” over the high left field fence for a 6-2 lead.
“Amelia has a lot of power but she’s also a smart hitter,” NFA coach Athena Jaskiewicz said. “She’s our backup catcher also so she has a little bit of sense of what’s going on in the pitching circle too so that’s really helpful. Not only is she a spark in our lineup but she is the probably the loudest kid in the dugout. She is always cheering and always has a smile on her face.”
NFA first baseman Ava Boenig hit a sacrifice fly after Smith tripled down the left field line in the fifth inning and senior Melina Graziano added an RBI single in the sixth.
After opening the season with non-league losses against Guilford and Trumbull, the Wildcats have reeled off three straight wins.
“We started a little slow with the weather and the rain but I’m not worried,” Jaskiewicz said.
NFA reached the ECC championship game a year ago and made a run to the Class LL state quarterfinals (a tough 2-0 loss against Ridgefield) so expectations are high in 2024.
Jaskiewicz welcomed back a lineup that features all-state infielders in seniors Madison Waltke (third base) and Graziano (shortstop), senior pitcher Smith, and sophomore catcher Aubrey Martin. Boening, a junior, moved to first base, while Tackling, sophomore Sophie Miner, and junior Brooke Stringer comprise a new outfield.
“We’re picking it up,” Jaskiewicz said. “We got a big stretch coming up with a lot of games. I’m excited for the rest of the season.”
This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Amelia Driscoll powers Norwich Free Academy to win over East Lyme
