BEACON FALLS—In the 21 years since Woodland Regional High School has been built, the softball program has had just one losing season.
That fact alone shows you how competitive a program has been built alongside the once-new school up in the valley.
The Hawks recent run of success, however, has been something else.
Undefeated Woodland Regional, winners of 31 straight games dating back to last season, will be seeking its fourth straight state Class M championship this Saturday when the Hawks face Foran, another undefeated team, for the title.
This year’s squad might be one of the best Loren Luddy, the only coach in Woodland Regional history, has ever had at the school.
Consider: After outscoring its opponents 300-17 over the course of the regular season, the Hawks have blanked all six of their postseason opponents while scoring 71 runs.
“I think one through 10, it’s the most balanced line-up I’ve had,” Luddy said. “We don’t have a hole in the line-up, which is great because not evertbody can be on every day. If one or two of your best hitters are having a rough day, everybody else can make up for it.”
It all starts in the circle, as they say, and Woodland has one of the best in Ella VanAlstyne, a senior pitcher who will be firing the ball to Julia Rowley, a senior who is one of the top catchers in the state, as well.
“We have excellent leadership in our captains, especially Ella and Julia,” Luddy said. “They focused on having good energy and positive energy and sort of loud energy because it keeps them pumped up and focused instead of getting in their own heads, and they’re confident. Their approach to getting up is that they can hit any pitch. So that’s been helpful.”
Woodland also features a strong defense at every position on the field.
At first base, Ayla DeCrescenzo, a catcher by trade, has stepped in as a sophomore starter while at second base is Caitlyn Braun, who was last year’s starting right fielder.
“Only four of my players are still in the same position that they were last year,” said Luddy, who lost just two starters from a year ago.
Shortstop is being manned by Kate Lisowski, a junior. Over at third base is senior Paige Chiaramonte, who was the team’s starting right fielder her sophomore year and starting second baseman last season as a junior.
In the outfield, Chloe Cervone has moved from center to right field with Angelena Tottenham taking over in center. In left, Emma DeGeorge patrols the grass.
Gabriella Capobianco sees time as the DP.
It’s a group that came together young through local travel programs and stayed together behind a group of supportive parents.
Now, for the five seniors on this year’s roster, the Hawks are looking for a career repeat—a fourth straight state championship and doing so in a very special way.
“We had goals to start the year, but going undefeated was not one of them,” Luddy said. “Once we got to the state tournament, that has to be our goal, though, because otherwise if you’re not undefeated, you’re not state champs.”
That’s exactly what Woodland Regional is chasing on Saturday—a fourth straight state championship along with this undefeated season.
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