Sports

VIDEO: Coginchaug Beats Morgan 8-1 to Advance to Shoreline Final

Votto's 3-hits leads Blue Devils into Sunday's championship game against Haddam Killingworth.



Coginchaug overcame early trouble against Morgan and dominated Saturday's Shoreline semifinal matchup, winning 8-1 to advance to the conference championship game.

The Huskies opened the first inning with a walk and back-to-back hits against Blue Devils pitcher Lauren Esposito to take a 1-0 lead. In the bottom half of the inning, Coginchaug's Ashley Vanaman knocked in two teammates on a two-out single.

Ahead 2-1, the Blue Devils broke the game open in the second inning thanks to a gritty at-bat by Jackie Benson. Benson fouled off several 2-strike pitches and eventually struck out but made it to first base on a passed ball.

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Kayla Votto then came through with a bases loaded single up the middle, knocking in two Blue Devils for a 4-1 lead. (See video)

Esposito pitched out of a jam in the fourth inning. With two Huskies on base, the senior struck out Sarah Thompson to secure a 6-1 lead.

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Votto's RBI triple in the bottom of the fourth inning gave the Blue Devils an 8-1 lead — the eventual final score.

Coginchaug will play Haddam Killingworth, who beat North Branford, Sunday at 2 p.m. at Westbrook High School for the Shoreline Conference softball championship.


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