The GameTimeCT Top 10 Softball Poll: Danbury continues rise, Cheshire returns, as powerhouses shuffle

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Danbury softball pitcher Haley Pucci in action against New Canaan on April 14, 2022 in Danbury, Conn.
Will Aldam / Hearst Connecticut Media

Another week, another mashup in the softball poll. Only three teams remained in the same spot as last week, as Ludlowe, Southington and Woodland all stayed put while going unbeaten.

No. 1 Ludlowe received 10 first place votes, while No. 2 Southington received three and No. 4 Woodland got one.

Masuk moved up two spots to No. 3 after defeating previous No. 3, St. Joseph, 2-1 in a pitcher’s duel between Kat Gallant and Lauren Wasikowski, a repeat of last year’s Class L championship game.

After No. 4 Woodland, things start to get significantly more complicated. In typical SCC fashion, East Haven, Cheshire and Amity are inflicting losses on each other.

East Haven moves up two spots to No. 5, winning four games after a 1-0 loss to Amity. Amity drops three spots to No. 9 despite defeating East Haven 1-0, because of a loss to Cheshire 14-5.

So, Cheshire jumped back into the Top 10 after a week away, coming in at No. 8 with its win over Amity. Cheshire’s two losses are to East Haven and Shelton. Jonathan Law while not ranked, is proving it might belong in the conversation thanks to Monday's 9-3 victory over Amity after poll voting closed.

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As of now, St. Joseph has dropped three spots to No. 6 having lost 2-1 to Fairfield Ludlowe. But a Monday loss to Danbury -- again, after voting had closed -- could lead to a further fall come next week.

Danbury moves up to No. 7 with wins over Trumbull and Staples, but its walk-off win against St. Joseph on Monday should lead to a greater rise next week.

TEAM

REC

PTS

LAST

CLASS

1. LUDLOWE (10)

8-1

406

Last Week: Def. Norwalk 8-4, Darien 6-1, Waterford 8-4, Trumbull 8-1.

This Week: at St. Joseph, Wednesday, 4 p.m.; vs McMahon, Friday, 4 p.m.; at Mt. Hope (RI), Saturday, 1 p.m.

The Bottom Line: Ludlowe rattled off four-straight wins after its first (out-of-state) loss last Monday. The Falcons will get a rematch of last year’s FCIAC championship game against St. Joseph on Wednesday.

2. SOUTHINGTON (3)

6-0

392

Last Week: Def. Windsor 10-3, Maloney 8-1, Avon 15-6.

This Week: at Cheshire, Wednesday, 4:15 p.m.; at South Windsor, Friday, 4:30 p.m.

The Bottom Line: Southington remained undefeated with three wins last week, and is outscoring opponents 71-16.

3. MASUK

9-1

358

Last Week: Def. RHAM 2-0, Stratford 28-1, St. Joseph 2-1, New Fairfield 13-2, Notre Dame-Fairfield 13-0.

This Week: vs New Milford, Wednesday, 4:15 p.m.; at Bethel, Friday, 4:15 p.m.

The Bottom Line: Masuk has won nine straight games since its opening day loss to No. 1 Fairfield Ludlowe, highlighted by its 2-1 win over St. Joseph last week.

4. WOODLAND (1)

11-0

328

Last Week: Def. Ansonia 26-0, Immaculate 7-0, Naugatuck 5-4, Seymour 12-0.

This Week: at Derby, Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.; at Holy Cross, Friday, 3 p.m.

The Bottom Line: Woodland surrendered its first runs of the season, a first inning four spot against NVL rival Naugatuck, but mounted the comeback to remain undefeated. Woodland is outscoring opponents 161-4.

5. EAST HAVEN

7-1

278

Last Week: Def. Hamden 10-5, Foran 10-1, SHA 4-1, North Haven 4-2. Lost to Amity 1-0.

This Week: at Branford, Tuesday, 4:15 p.m.; vs. Waterford, Thursday, 4:30 p.m.; at Hand, Friday, 4 p.m.

The Bottom Line: After its 1-0 loss to Amity, East Haven rebounded with four straight wins to move up two spots. Bishop will go up against Waterford this week for the first time since East Haven’s 1-0 extra inning win in the 2021 Class L quarterfinals.

6. ST. JOSEPH

6-4

256

Last Week: Def. Warde 10-0, Bridgeport Central 14-0, New Canaan 4-0. Lost to Masuk 2-1, Danbury 2-1.

This Week: vs Fairfield Ludlowe, Wednesday, 4 p.m.; at Norwalk, Friday, 4 p.m.

The Bottom Line: St. Joseph is currently in 6th, but after Monday’s 2-1 loss to Danbury it will likely fall further next week. The Cadets fell short by one run to two Top 10 teams and have No. 1 Fairfield Ludlowe on Wednesday.

7. DANBURY

10-0

243

Last Week: Def. Trumbull 8-4, Stamford 7-1, Staples 4-0, St. Joseph 2-1.

This Week: vs Warde, Wednesday, 4 p.m.; at Wilton, Friday, 4 p.m.

The Bottom Line: Danbury will likely flip with St. Joseph last week after its walk-off victory on Monday to remain the only undefeated FCIAC team. Haley Pucci has only allowed five earned runs in 63 innings (0.56 ERA) with 128 strikeouts.

8. CHESHIRE

8-2

210

Last Week: Def. Lyman Hall 13-1, Sheehan 12-0, Amity 14-5.

This Week: vs Southington, Wednesday, 4:15 p.m.; at Guilford, Thursday, 4:15 p.m.

The Bottom Line: Cheshire makes its way back into the Top 10 with a decisive win over Amity in what is becoming another merry-go-round in the SCC.

9. AMITY

7-2

205

Last Week: Def. Sheehan 13-0, SHA 7-1. Lost to Cheshire 14-5, Jonathan Law 9-3.

This Week: vs. Hand, Wednesday, 4 p.m.; at Branford, Friday, 4:15 p.m.

The Bottom Line: While Amity has defeated East Haven, it also lost to Cheshire this past week. Monday’s loss to Jonathan Law is not reflected in this week’s poll, which could lead to a larger skid next week.

10. WATERFORD

7-2

182

Last Week: Def. Fitch 8-7, Montville 16-0, Griswold 24-2. Lost to Ludlowe 8-4.

This Week: vs. at Bacon Academy, Wednesday, 4 p.m.; at East Haven, Thursday, 4:30 p.m., vs. Killingly, Saturday, 12 p.m.

The Bottom Line: Waterford’s only two losses have come to Top 10 teams in Cheshire (5-4) and Ludlowe (8-4). Burrows and Waterford will look for revenge against East Haven after its 1-0 elimination loss in the 2021 Class L quarterfinals.

Dropped out: Haddam-Killingworth (9).

Records through Sunday.

First-place votes in parentheses and points tabulated on a 30-28-26-24-22-20-18-16-14-12-11-10-9-8-7 basis.

Also receiving votes: Glastonbury (8-1), 108; Haddam-Killingworth (10-1), 107; Hall (7-1), 105; Coginchaug (8-1), 89; NFA (6-2), 73; Jonathan Law (8-1), 70; RHAM (7-2), 44; Shelton (5-3), 25; Cromwell (9-1), 24; Trumbull (7-3), 18; Fitch (2-5), 9; Wilton (5-5), 9; Watertown (8-1), 9; Newtown (8-3), 8; Wolcott (7-1), 8; North Haven (6-4), 7.

The Following Voted: George DeMaio, WELI; Jimmy Zanor, Norwich Bulletin; Will Aldam, GameTimeCT; Mike Madera, Hearst Connecticut Media; Nick DeLizio, North Branford; Richard Zalusky, Willimantic Chronicle; Ken Pereiras, Seymour; Jeff Babineau, St. Joseph; Terry Dinan, New Canaan; Tony Calcagni, Mercy; Scott Ericson, Stamford Advocate; Lori Riley, Hartford Courant; Vickie Fulkerson, The Day; Dave Phillips, Hearst CT Media.

Compiled by Will Aldam

Waterford falls two spots to No. 10 with a loss to Fairfield Ludlowe. Its only other loss came to Cheshire 5-4. The Lancers will play East Haven on Thursday, as it will further tie itself to SCC chaos.

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