The Joan Joyce High School Softball League held its all-star game on Thursday night, and it was a success on more than one level.
First off, Joyce was remembered by those in attendance, at the field that bears her name, for all of her tremendous contributions to women’s sports. Joyce may be the greatest female athlete of all-time, and her statistics back that assertion up. A moment of silence was held for Joyce, who passed on March 26 at the age of 81.
When the game got underway, it was the West versus the East. The East scored first in the bottom of the first inning, but the West responded with three runs in the top of the second inning and never looked back on the way to a 5-1 victory. West complete game pitcher Sophia Audi (11 strikeouts) was the game MVP. If Audi’s name rings a bell, it may be because she pitched for Sacred Heart High School before the school closed its doors at the end of the 2020-2021 academic year. Audi finished her high school career this past spring at Naugatuck High. Her battery mate was WCA incoming senior Mikayla Krawitz.
WCA incoming junior Alyssia Carillo drove in a pair of runs to lead the West offense. Kaitlyn Basant, WCA class of 2022, drove in a run, as did Lillian Spagnoletti of Watertown (class of 2022).
The East scored on Jade Garrido’s RBI single, which plated Julia Campbell (leadoff single, stolen base).
GALLERY: Here are my photos from Thursday night’s game.
PHOTO CAPTION: West pitcher Sophia Audi winds up as first baseman Kaitlyn Basant is ready to field her position during Thursday night’s Joan Joyce summer softball all-star game. (Copyright, Sports on CT-69)
