Rocky Hill Major Softball Stars Win District Title

The worst thing a team can do to start a double elimination tournament is to lose its first game.

That’s exactly what the 11-12-year-old Rocky Hill softball all-stars did to begin District Seven play. Rocky Hill was shut out 3-0 by Glastonbury in its first game.

“All of the teams in our district were very evenly matched but that first game we couldn’t hit,” Rocky Hill coach Steve Kurdziel said. “We had practiced and prepared for a few weeks for that opener and to lose puts some doubt in your mind. Bt we came out and played really well the next few games.

Rocky Hill won the next three games, beating Glastonbury 10-4 and then East Hartford twice in a row, 4-3 and 7-6. The three straight wins were enough to give the locals the District Seven championship.

Sophie Kurdziel pitched the first three games for Rocky Hill and Lauren Pattiston pitched the title game.

Kurdziel led the all-stars at the plate hitting .636 in district play. Pattiston followed her at .538 and Gina Genovese with a .429 average. Second baseman Nicole Chamberlain was on base seemingly every time she came up to bat and finished with a .818 on base percentage.

Both the first win and title game victory over East Hartford were marked by very big defensive plays.

In the first win and Rocky Hill leading 4-3 in the final inning, East Hartford got their leadoff hitter on base. The next batter hit a hard line drive that Chamberlain snared and threw to first for a double play.

In the title game win, East Hartford trailed 7-6 in the sixth inning and loaded the bases with two outs. Rocky Hill shortstop Skylar Barron scooped up a hard hit ground ball and threw out the runner at first to end the game.

The win allowed Rocky Hill to advance to the state sectionals. There the team went 2-2, losing its last game Monday night to Preston. Rocky Hill beat Simsbury 8-5 but then lost to Pawcatuck, 16-2. Facing elimination the locals beat Windsor 7-1 but were beaten and knocked out of the tournament by Preston.

“This was an exceptional group of young girls and were the most gifted athletically that I’ve ever coached,” Kurdziel said. “They were very competitive but also very supportive of each other. I think they are proud of what they accomplished and saw that their hard work paid off.”

While the infield of Genovese at first base, Chamberlain at second base, Barron at shortstop, either Pattiston or Kurdziel at third base and catcher Grace Moore was very strong, the outfield also made big plays at key times during the eight games the team played. Speedy Lauren Joyce manned centerfield while Anna Riedinger, Madison Santo, Melanie Tejada, Yini Tejada and Megan Khanna all had their own highlights during the two tournaments.

“We told the kids from the beginning about the strength and tradition of the Rocky Hill softball program,” Kurdziel said. “We wanted to play well but we also wanted to respect the game and respect the opponent. It was pretty cool as we went on that some of the alumni girls showed up to support us. The girls got to see whose footsteps they were following in.

“The girls are only 11 and 12 so it’s a tribute to them but also a tribute to Little League softball. We are lucky in Rocky Hill. I had great assistant coaches. Bill Scully still coaches and he doesn’t have a daughter on the team. Craig Riedinger was my other assistant coach and did a great job. Jane Granato is the head of Rocky Hill softball and she does it all.”