High School Sports Roundup: Wedesday, April 18

GIRLS GOLF

Berlin 176, Manchester 251

The Berlin Lady Redcoats golf team defeated Manchester, 176-251, Wednesday at Manchester Country Club. 

Berlin was paced by senior co-captain Emily Stickel and freshman Julia Kemmling. Both girls carded excellent scores of 41 and tied for medalist honors. Emily Anne Deutsch and Ashley D'Attilio rounded out the team scoring with 45 and 49 respectively. The Lady Redcoats record improves to 4-0.

"I'm really pleased with the teams performance today," Berlin coach Jim Barnes said. "Manchester is a challenging course so a team score of 176 is a very acceptable result. 

"Julia Kemmling continued her solid play and Emily Stickel reminded us just how good of a player she really is. I'm thrilled to be 4-0 but I know this team is capable of playing much better. With the talent we have on this team, scores in the 160's should be attainable. And quite honestly, I think the 160's is where we may need to be if we want to defend our conference and state titles."

Berlin is is action again next Monday at East Catholic.

BOYS GOLF

Berlin 161, Wethersfield 176, Plainville 191, Maloney 195

Berlin moved to 4-0 on the year with a clean sweep in a quad meet at Timberlin Golf Course. 

Three Berlin players, Pat Bostrom, Jeremy DeSimone and Austin Forauer shared medalist honors with 40's.

"Conditions were tough for scoring with hard greens and wind," Berlin coach John Line said. "It was difficult to get close to the pins. I'm pleased with the score, it is something to build on."

SOFTBALL

Berlin 14, Plainville 0

In a game played in Florida, the Redcoats rocked the Blue Devils.

Makayla Harris pitched allowing one hit and striking out six. 

Brittany Labbadia went 3-for-4 with a triple, an RBI and four runs scored. Sarah Brochu went 2-for-4 with three RBI and Katherine Burek went 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI.

Berlin plays an important CCC South game Thursday at home against Bristol Central.

BOYS TRACK

Middletown104, Berlin 46

The Berlin boys suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of old rival Middletown. 

"The Blue Dragons were just a little better and deeper than the Redcoats," Coach Rick Hanbury said. "It's funny how the score doesn't always indicate the level of competition. Nearly all of the events were closely contested, but Middletown had a better depth of talent, often taking first and second or first and third with a Berlin runner right in the thick of things, but just outside the points. The long and triple jump were places where our best jumper could have potentially won the event, but came in fourth. The same occurred in the 300.  This would cause a 20 to 25 point swing in the scoring and would have made things a lot closer. On the bright side, the sprinters continue to improve."

Juniors Matt Kall and Mike Tirinzoni put Berlin's new photofinish timing system to the test, taking second and third in the 100m dash. Kall ran a personal best 12.07, which measured by hand would have been 11.83. Tirinzoni's 12.18 time just edged out Landon Highsmith for third by 0.01 seconds. 

"This precision is only available in a fully automatic timing system, which the Berlin Athletic Department purchased at the very end of last season," Hanbury said. "This was the first meet we have been able to use the system, and it performed as advertised. It was really exciting to see the photofinish on the computer screen and show the boys how close a race finish can be."  

Tirinzoni took third by out-leaning his opponent by 3 to 5 inches. 

Berlin's throwers had a rough time against Middletown. Nick Strain's season best 112-8 in the Javelin was the bright spot, but Middletown still garnered 20 of the available 27 points in the throws.

Senior co-captain, Connor Hilbie continues his dominance in the 1,600 and 3,200, though his quest for state qualification has not been achieved. 

Next week at Bristol Central, Hilbie will face stiff competition, hopefully providing the incentive to achieve his personal goals. 

Junior Brendan McLarty enjoyed continued success in the 800, notching a season-best 2:13.8 in taking first place. The one distance disappointment was the first loss of our 4 x 800 m relay team.

BASEBALL

Bristol Central 3, Berlin 0

Tim Norton pitched well for the Redcoats but the defense didn't help him at all as Berlin lost in Bristol.

Bristol Central pitcher Matt Blandino threw a complete game and helped himself at the plate with a long triple and a run scored.

Berlin is now 1-5 on the season. The Redcoats play rival New Britain Friday.