Conard softball hosted Tolland in West Hartford on Wednesday, winning 13-1.

Sports reporting is sponsored by Keating Agency Insurance

By Kelly Fleischmann. Photos by Kimvy Tran 

On Wednesday’s chilly afternoon, Conard’s fans bundled up and headed out to support the Red Wolves at home. Luckily, Conard fans saw the competition squashed. 

At the top of the first inning, Elise Talbott demonstrated her impressive pitching skills, allowing the Red Wolves to quickly get three Tolland players out, putting Conard at bat. Teá Higgins was first at bat for the Red Wolves and also became the first player to make it to first base with a hit to the outfield, allowing her time to get to first. Freshman Julia Talbott was next at bat and was able to quickly make it to first base, giving Higgins the opportunity to make it to third. 

Zuzu Lasek making it to home plate. Conard vs. Tolland softball. Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Photo credit: Kimvy Tran

Senior No. 18 Zuzu Lasek secured a single, allowing both Higgins and Talbott to cross home plate, putting Conard up 2-0. During Char Keany at-bat, Lasek was able to make it home, improving the score to 3-0. Tolland’s defense pulled it together, getting Keany out and therefore ending the first inning.  

Nola Ostafin throwdown. Conard vs. Tolland softball. Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Photo credit: Kimvy Tran

Tolland’s offense found a spark as No. 18 crossed the plate to secure the first – and ultimately the only – run for the Eagles. Dominant pitching from Elise Talbott held the Eagles in check, bringing Conard back up to bat. The bottom of the second was quiet for Conard, though, this was offset by their success in the third inning.

Julia Talbott first base stretch. Conard vs. Tolland softball. Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Photo credit: Kimvy Tran

When the Red Wolves got to bat in the bottom of the third, they were unstoppable. Consecutive runs were scored by the Talbott sisters – junior Elise and freshman Julia – followed by Lasek, Ally Johnston, and Annabelle Brooks. Conard batted around the order, allowing Julia Talbott to return to the plate and score her second run of the inning. This fiery inning put Conard up by 9 runs, pushing the score to 10-1. 

Ally Johnson Catching. Conard vs. Tolland Softball. Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Photo credit: Kimvy Tran

In the fourth and fifth innings, Conard was looking to possibly mercy-rule the Eagles, but this did not come to fruition. Despite being held scoreless in the inning, the Red Wolves’ defense stayed strong, keeping the score at 10-1 to start the sixth.

Char Keany hitting. Conard vs. Tolland softball. Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Photo credit: Kimvy Tran

The Red Wolves gained momentum in the bottom of the sixth. After Talbott drew a walk and Keany and Johnston strung together back-to-back singles, the Eagles managed to get one out. However, junior Annabelle Truskoski got a double, allowing pushing two more runs across the plate for Conard. 

Teá Higgins hitting. Conard vs. Tolland softball. Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Photo credit: Kimvy Tran

Next to bat was Higgins, who hit a line drive, and the Eagles’ outfielder fumbled the ball, allowing her to round the bases. With these three runs, the Red Wolves improved the score to 13-1, putting an end to the game and improving their record to 4-3. 

Conard, now 5-3,  followed Wednesday’s win over Tolland (2-5) with a 6-2 victory over Simsbury (3-6) on Friday afternoon at home.  On Monday, April 27, the Red Wolves will travel to face Maloney (8-2) in Meriden.

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