West Haven Voice

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Blue Devils top Career in opener

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The ball flies off the bat of West Haven’s Juan Carlos Contreras for a base hit against Career High. The Blue Devils got plenty of hitting on the way to a 16-5 win in the season’s opener at Piurek Field.

The West Haven baseball team left no doubt about the outcome of its opening day game, when it put up seven runs in the first inning and nine more in the second inning on the way to a 16-5, five inning mercy rule victory over the Career Panthers at Piurek Filed on Saturday afternoon.

The Westies spread the offense around. Juan Contreras had two hits, three RBIs and two runs scored, Nick Flammia had two hits, a RBI and two runs scored, Brett Gradoia picked up two hits, two RBIs and two runs scored and Dennis Gamester added two hits, two RBIs and two runs scored.

Mike Tonucci breaks for second base and a steal during the Westies’ game with Career High last week.

Mike Vitolo picked up the win on the mound going 4 1/3 innings, giving up five runs on four hits while striking out seven before giving away to Juan Contreras, who got the final two outs to close out the game.

This week the Blue Devils will get another opportunity to face the Career Panthers when they travel to East Shore Park in New Haven on Saturday at noon.

The girls’ lacrosse team opened its season on Saturday evening at home against the Foran Lions. The Westies used a hat trick by Mackenzie Holy to take a 7-6 lead at halftime but the Lions outscored the Blue Devils 7-5 in the second half to defeat the Westies 13-12.

Mark Basta has the right form as he singles early in his Westies’ 16-5 win over Career Saturday at Piurek Field. West Haven opened up the season with a 16-5 win over the Panthers and has a full slate of games this week, weather permitting.

Madisyn Crotta also picked up a hat trick, Lexi Burzynski and Keegan Riccio each scored two goals while Shannon Siclari and CC Condon each added a goal in the loss. Nicole Gaston made 16 saves between the pipes for West Haven.

This week, the girls head out on the road for a game with East Lyme on Thursday at 7.

The rest of the Spring Sports schedule gets under way this week. Depending on the weather, the softball team was slated to open at home against O’Brien Tech on Monday before spending most of the rest of the month of April on the road. Wednesday, the girls played at Hamden and finish the week at Sacred Heart Academy on Friday at 3:45.

The boys lacrosse team hosted Bristol Central on Monday, host the Amity Spartans on Thursday at 5:30 and travel to Wilbur Cross on Friday at 3:45. Boys tennis hosted Notre Dame on Monday, Platt Tech on Wednesday and travel to Hamden for a clash with the Green Dragons on Friday at 3:45. Girls tennis had a road match at Foran on Tuesday, visited Career on Wednesday and will head to Lyman Hall on Friday at 3:45.

And the boys and girls track teams were scheduled to host Notre Dame and Sacred Heart Academy on Tuesday.