The North Branford Thunderbirds will head out to square off against the Haddam-Killingworth Cougars at 3:45 p.m. on Friday. Both teams are coming into the game red-hot, with North Branford sitting on ten straight wins and Haddam-Killingworth on three.
The home team had won the previous four meetings between North Branford and Coginchaug Regional, and North Branford kept the tradition alive. The Thunderbirds walked away with a 5-1 victory over the Blue Devils on Wednesday.
Lauren Vitarisi
| 04/30/25 vs Coginchaug Regional | 10 |
| 04/28/25 @ Hale Ray | 8 |
| 04/22/25 @ Cromwell | 12 |
| 04/21/25 vs Old Lyme | 11 |
| 04/17/25 @ Berlin | 6 |
| + 2 more games |
Lauren Vitarisi spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned run on two hits and racked up ten Ks. She has been consistent: she hasn't tossed less than six strikeouts in seven consecutive appearances.
At the plate, Adriana Hills was excellent, going 2-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and one double. Lexi Falcioni was another key player, going 2-for-3 with one stolen base and two RBI.
Haddam-Killingworth came out on top against Old Lyme on Wednesday thanks in part to the team's impressive nine-run third inning. The Cougars were the clear victors by a 15-3 margin over the Wildcats. The Cougars might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won five matches by eight runs or more this season.
Hannah Reilly was a standout: she went 4-for-5 with three runs, three doubles, and three RBI. The team also got some help courtesy of Caley Napoletano, who went 2-for-5 with one home run, three RBI, and two runs.
Haddam-Killingworth kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 18 hits. That's the most hits they've posted since back in April of 2024.
North Branford's win was their 13th straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 10-0. The home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 12.8 runs over those games. As for Haddam-Killingworth, their record now sits at 6-1.
Friday's contest might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. North Branford has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .533. However, it's not like Haddam-Killingworth struggles in that department as they've averaged .502. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
North Branford took their win against Haddam-Killingworth in their previous matchup back in May of 2024 by a conclusive 14-0 score. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Thunderbirds since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
