A lot of people didn’t believe in the North Branford Thunderbirds last season. But Lauren Vitarisi always did. The then-junior pitcher hurled the Thunderbirds to the Shoreline Conference championship and then all the way to the 2025 state Class S championship game, courtesy of a no-hitter in the semifinals. In the final, top-seeded North Branford posted a 4-2 win over St. Paul’s for the title. In this her final season at North Branford, Vitarisi and the Thunderbirds would love nothing more than a repeat dream season. After all, beyond that awaits college. Vitarisi will attended the University of North Carolina-Wilmington come fall, but she will not playing softball there opting instead “to focus on other things during college.” So one more softball season awaits for her and the Thunderbirds and here is our “Extra Innings” interview with Vitarisi.
FIRST INNING: Tell us about your softball journey. How did you wind up becoming a softball player?
LAUREN VITARISI: I have two older sisters who played, so when I got old enough for t-ball, I started playing.
SECOND INNING: What made you want to become a softball pitcher?
LV: When I was young I tried playing all positions, but I really enjoyed pitching the most.
THIRD INNING: What are you most proud of when it comes to the North Branford softball program?
LV: There was a lot of people who doubted what we would be able to do (last) season, but we proved them all wrong. I am most proud of how we came together, continue to support each other, and work for each other on the field.
FOURTH INNING: In the bottom of the seventh inning of a close game, what would you rather do? Have a walk-off hit to win the game, or strikeout a batter to end the game?
LV: Strikeout the batter to end the game, but a walk-off hit would be great, too.
FIFTH INNING: What is your most memorable individual performance on a softball field?
LV: Pitching in this year’s Shoreline (League) Championship. It was a high-pressure game against a good team. At the end of the seventh inning with the bases loaded I was able to keep my composure, striking out the last two batters so we could advance to extra winnings, and win the game.
SIXTH INNING: Why do you wear No. 2?
LV: In Little League, I was given number two because of the sizing but even though I was the smallest, the coaches daughter wanted number one so I got number two. Ever since then it’s been my number on every sports team that I’ve played on.
SEVENTH INNING: Do you have any game-day rituals or superstitions?
LV: I have to put on my left batting glove before my right when going to hit.
EIGHTH INNING: If you could pitch against one person just to see what it would be like, who would it be and why?
LV: I would want to pitch to Coach DeLizio because it would be fun to strike him out.
NINTH INNING: Let’s shift gears a little bit and get away from the softball questions. What is the best thing about North Branford High School?
LV: The small-town community. I have gone to school with the same people since kindergarten, so you get to grow up and learn alongside each other.
TENTH INNING: If you could change one thing about the school, what would it be?
LV: We just got a brand new school and have great teachers and staff, so really the only thing I would change is to have better drainage in the softball field.
ELEVENTH INNING: Which teacher in your life has had the biggest impact so far?
LV: Mr. Drexler. Not only is he a great teacher, but he is always available to offer advice or just listen.
TWELFTH INNING: What is the weirdest food you have ever tried, and would you eat it again?
LV: I really don’t eat weird food.
THIRTEENTH INNING: What is something you are truly proud of that has nothing to do with sports?
LV: I am proud of my academic achievements. I work really hard to balance my time between school and sports, so I am proud of being able to accomplish that.
FOURTEENTH INNING: If you could wake up tomorrow morning and be somewhere else in the world for just a single day, where would you want to be?
LV: A place I’ve always wanted to visit is Italy to learn more about my families’ heritage, but if I could only go for one day I would choose Aruba and lay on the beach.
FIFTEENTH INNING: When was the last time you cried?
LV: The last time I cried was at my grandmother’s funeral.
SIXTEENTH INNING: What is your favorite emoji?
LV: 🫶
SEVENTEENTH INNING: What one word best describes Lauren Vitarisi?
LV: Tenacious.
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