The Red Wolves hosted Berlin on Wednesday in West Hartford.

Sports reporting is sponsored by Keating Agency Insurance

Mattie Ford steps up to the plate. Conard vs. Berlin softball. April 9, 2025. Photo credit: Jack Fitzgerald

By Jack Fitzgerald

The Conard softball team fought hard but came up short in a 5-2 loss to the visiting Berlin Redcoats on Wednesday afternoon. Despite a strong third-inning rally and sharp defensive play, Conard couldn’t overcome Berlin’s opportunistic offense and late-game execution.

Berlin jumped on the board early in the top of the first. After Conard pitcher Elise Talbott struck out the first batter and induced a quick pop fly, Julia Matan kept the inning alive with a ground-ball single. Izzy Andersen followed with a base hit to center, and Peyton Nadeau launched a high fly ball to right field that dropped just out of reach, bringing in two runs to give Berlin an early 2-0 lead.

Sadira Forcucci at the plate for Conard. Conard vs. Berlin softball. April 9, 2025. Photo credit: Jack Fitzgerald

Conard tried to answer in the bottom of the first, but Berlin pitcher Madeline Mota worked out of a leadoff walk by Tea Higgins and stranded a runner to keep the Red Wolves scoreless.

After a quiet second inning, Conard’s defense stepped up in the third with a perfectly executed double play – Higgins to Nola Ostafin at first – to stall Berlin’s offense.

In the bottom half of the third, Conard found its offensive rhythm. Charlotte Keany ripped a deep double into right-center, followed by a single up the middle by Higgins. Nola Ostafin lifted a sac fly to center, scoring Conard’s first run. Moments later, Nina Ostafin lined a single down the right-field line to bring home Higgins and tie the game at 2-2.

Berlin responded immediately. In the top of the fourth, Jill Farrand grounded out to bring home a run and give Berlin a 3-2 lead. Sadira Forcucci made a spectacular diving catch in right field and doubled off the runner at first to end the inning, preventing further damage.

Coaches and players discuss the game. Conard vs. Berlin softball. April 9, 2025. Photo credit: Jack Fitzgerald

Then came the turning point.

In the top of the sixth, Julia Matan smoked a deep shot up the middle. With no fences in the outfield, she raced around the bases for an inside-the-park solo home run. After Andersen reached on a walk, a hard-hit ball from Sara Cugno and a fielder’s choice led to runners on second and third. Talbott battled back with her sixth strikeout of the game to escape the jam, but Berlin had already pushed their lead to 4-2.

Berlin added one final insurance run in the top of the seventh when Callie Jehning ripped a triple just past the reach of center fielder Arissa Hanner. Nadeau followed with a sac fly to bring her home, extending the lead to 5-2.

Conard’s last chance to rally came in the bottom of the seventh, but Mota shut the door. After a quick out, a controversial batter’s interference call – when the ball hit the batter on a fair grounder – gave Berlin their second out. Higgins followed, but was retired to end the game.

Talbott pitched a complete game for Conard, allowing just two earned runs on seven hits while striking out six. On offense, Higgins, Nola Ostafin, and Nina Ostafin each collected a hit for Conard. The Ostafin sisters also drove in both of the team’s runs.

Conard now turns its focus to a Monday road matchup against Bristol Central.

Charlotte Keany passes to Tea Higgins. Conard vs. Berlin softball. April 9, 2025. Photo credit: Jack Fitzgerald

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