Conard High School hosted Stamford High School on Monday afternoon in West Hartford in the first round of the CIAC Class LL state softball tournament. 

Sports reporting is sponsored by Keating Agency Insurance

Conard vs. Stamford softball. Class LL tournament first round. June 2, 2025. Photo credit: Cole Schweiger

By Cole Schweiger

No. 11-seeded Conard softball hosted No. 22-seeded Stamford High to open the postseason and advanced to the second round of the CIAC Class LL state tournament with a 7-3 win.

Stamford struck first in the first inning, taking a brief and quick 1-0 lead. Conard’s momentum and ability to score opened the game for them with a home run from sophomore Nola Ostafin to left field to tie the game. 

Conard vs. Stamford softball. Class LL tournament first round. June 2, 2025. Photo credit: Cole Schweiger

From that moment, Conard found its rhythm. In the third inning, Conard went through the lineup and produced a string of hits. Tea Higgins got a single, and after a pair of walks senior Nina Ostafin delivered a deep sacrifice fly to bring in the go-ahead run. Moments later, Lucy Pincince got a sacrifice bunt, putting Conard ahead 3-1.

“I think a big moment for us as a team was in the third inning, when we were able to cycle through our lineup a second time and make the adjustments to manufacture runs,” said senior captain Nina Ostafin. “We’re going to try to keep that rolling into the game Wednesday and remember how essential adjustments are – taking every at-bat one pitch at a time.” 

Conard vs. Stamford softball. Class LL tournament first round. June 2, 2025. Photo credit: Cole Schweiger

The fourth inning brought more action, with Susannah Lasek getting a walk and stealing second before scoring another RBI single from Tea Higgins.

In the fifth, senior captain Sadira Forcucci added some more action with a solo home run, giving Conard a 5-1 lead.

Conard’s defense came up big time in the top of the sixth inning. With bases loaded for Stamford, Elise Talbott came up clutch with a critical strikeout to shut down Stamford’s hope of getting a comeback.

Conard vs. Stamford softball. Class LL tournament first round. June 2, 2025. Photo credit: Cole Schweiger

In the bottom of the sixth, the Red Wolves tacked on two more runs. Arissa Hanner scored on a wild pitch after reaching base, and Forcucci’s deep sacrifice fly brought home Higgins for the final run of the day.

No. 11 Conard (16-5) will now take the road Wednesday to face No. 6 Fairfield Warde (17-4) in the Class LL tournament second round, with hopes of punching their ticket to the quarterfinals. Riding momentum and confidence, the Red Wolves are looking to stay hot and continue their ride to the state finals.

Conard vs. Stamford softball. Class LL tournament first round. June 2, 2025. Photo credit: Cole Schweiger

Conard vs. Stamford softball. Class LL tournament first round. June 2, 2025. Photo credit: Cole Schweiger

Conard vs. Stamford softball. Class LL tournament first round. June 2, 2025. Photo credit: Cole Schweiger

Conard vs. Stamford softball. Class LL tournament first round. June 2, 2025. Photo credit: Cole Schweiger

Conard vs. Stamford softball. Class LL tournament first round. June 2, 2025. Photo credit: Kimvy Tran

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