Softball Falls in CCC Finals, Enters State Tournament as No. 2 Seed
- Dan Fappiano
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Southington softball’s topsy-turvy run through the Central Connecticut Conference Tournament didn’t end the way they wanted it to. But the Blue Knights have another opportunity to add to their legacy when they compete in the Class LL State Tournament.
Entering the CCC Tournament as the No. 1 seed, Southington began their journey with a home matchup against No. 8 Glastonbury. The Blue Knights were pushed to their breaking point, trailing 9-7 entering the bottom of the seventh inning.
After scoring a run via an error and another from a sacrifice fly from freshman Abigail Lockwood, junior Addie Wanner hit a pop-fly that ultimately scored the winning run. With a 10-9 victory, Southington moved into the semifinals. But they knew they’d have to do more to defend their CCC crown.
Southington Advances to CCC Finals
On May 27, while taking on No. 5 Rocky Hill, Southington went down a run early via a two-out single. But the Blue Knights had an immediate response, as a two-run home run from senior Aubrey Perugini capped off a three-run first inning. The Blue Knights tacked on an extra run in the second via a sac-fly from senior Olivia Gombotz.
The score remained 4-1 until the bottom of the fifth inning. After an RBI single drove in a run, senior Alexa Poutouves cleared the bases with a three-RBI double. Helped by some slick defensive plays in the final inning, Southington advanced to the CCC Championship with an 8-1 win.
For Poutouves and Perugini, the win gave the Blue Knights an opportunity to find their swagger again. After barely scraping out a victory in the first round, Southington looked more like themselves against Rocky Hill.
“I think this win was great momentum going into the CCC Championship,” Poutouves said. “Yesterday was a good win but a tough game, we didn’t play our best. Today we really stepped it up, energy wise, hitting wise, fielding wise. We stood behind Ang on the mound. That really helped us get our confidence back.”
“A big point of emphasis today was to really work together as a team,” Perugini added. “Our jump from yesterday to today was huge. We just need to carry that energy through the tournament.”
Head coach Michelle Boisvert shared the same attitude as her center fielder and third baseman. When she watched her team play, she saw a cohesive unit in action.
“It put them in the right mindset,” Boisvert said. “They had fun, they were happy, there was joy, they trusted their pitcher. They knew they could get it done today. There was never a doubt. They played as a team, for each other, with each other. Mindset going forward is we’re going to work hard, back up our pitcher, they’re going to make plays, timely hitting and they’re going to have fun.”
On the mound, senior Angie Insogna allowed three hits and four walks while striking out six. She found herself in a particularly tricky situation in the top of the third inning after three straight walks loaded the bases with only one out. Insogna managed to get the next batter to pop out before ending the inning with the bases stranded on a strikeout.
Boisvert has come to expect those kinds of resolutions from her senior pitcher. Even if the moment is tense, Insogna isn’t one to get rattled. As Southington continues their postseason, they’ll be rallying around their starting pitcher.
“Ang is someone who doesn’t show a lot of emotion,” Boisvert said. “But you can tell she’s in that mindset. She’s always, ‘I’m gonna get ya.’ Whether it’s a strikeout or a play, she’s like ‘I’m going to get you.’ She’s not afraid. She’ll challenge their hitters. She trusts herself, she trusts her defense. We can’t pitch around them, you’ve got to pitch to them. And that’s what she does so well.”
At the same time, Insogna was quick to credit the defense behind her. The Blue Knights made numerous web gems during their Rocky Hill win. But the pitcher knows just having consistent performances in the field gives Southington an edge.
“I wouldn’t have been able to do this without my teammates. Tthey were great in the field for me today,” Insogna said. “Going into this game we really wanted to keep the energy high. That’s exactly what we did.”
“Having a defense like that can make or break a game,” she continued. “Today it made the game. It gets me very excited. I’m glad to have teammates who are willing to do that for me.”
Perugini was excited to begin the game with a home run, but she has fully bought in on the team’s defensive strength as well. She hopes to “put some defense to our name” through the remaining State Tournament.
That’s a message Boisvert has preached throughout the season. There are only so many defensive drills the team could run. As they finish out their season, everyone on Southington must be willing and prepared to walk the walk when it comes to the Blue Knights’ defensive prowess.
“Defense for me is just desire,” Boisvert said. “Doing whatever you can to give your team the win. Go out, dive, get dirty. They’re gritty. They don’t quit. If there’s a play they can make, they’ll do as much as they can to make it. It sets the tone. Somebody makes a good play, it gets you pumped, ready for the next inning. Helps you stay motivated and work hard. If you see your teammate doing that, it’s contagious.”
CCC Setback Leads To Class LL Opportunity
Southington took on No. 2 Enfield in the CCC Tournament finals on May 29. While the Blue Knights earned a 14-3 win in their regular season clash, the results were different this time around.
Enfield opened the scoring in the first with an RBI single. Southington answered right back to take a 2-1 lead with a triple from Lockwood and a double from Wanner. From there though, the Blue Knights were stymied.
The Eagles would tie the game on a single in the third and then take the lead with a double and triple in the top of the fifth. With two more runs in the top of the seventh inning, Enfield secured a 5-2 victory and ended Southington’s five-year run as CCC champions.
Despite the loss, the Blue Knights’ season is not over. They will now have an opportunity for redemption as the No. 2 seed in the Class LL State Tournament. Southington advanced to the semifinals in 2025.
After receiving a first-round bye, the Blue Knights will take on No. 18 Conard at home on June 3. If Southington were to advance, they would host the winner of No. 7 NFA and No. 10 Newtown in the quarterfinals on June 5.
After winning their CCC semifinal matchup against Rocky Hill, Insogna said that Southington “works really hard for moments like this.” They’ll have an opportunity for more unforgettable wins in the State Tournament. As they enter battle, Boisvert wants Southington to remember what got them this far and to never stop competing as a team.
“We want you focused. We definitely want you having fun. We want you to be the best teammate you can be for each other. Play together, we’re a team,” Boisvert said. “Softball is tough, it’s an individual sport. But when they’re talking and communicating, it makes such a difference. Now they trust each other, they know where they’re going to be. The hitting is contagious too.”
“I think they expect it now. And that’s okay, I expect it too. When hitters get up, I’m like, ‘I know they’re going to get a hit.’ I trust their decision making,” she concluded. “They’ve started to believe in their ability and each other. That’s what you need, you have to be one unit, one team. We are that one team.”
