Lianne Wallace Grand Slams Naugatuck Girls to Victory

The Naugatuck girls softball team came into the season looking for a few bats to replace the star-studded lineup that produced an Naugatuck Valley League Championship and a runner-up in the state championship in the past three seasons.

Six seniors had graduated and this years senior group had to step up and lead the way. It didn’t take long for all of the four senior captains to show the way to victory with Melissa LaBonte (2 hits, 1 RBI), Daniella Stoehrer (1 hit, 2 runs) and Melissa Kirschbaum (2 RBI) making a difference in the Lady Greyhounds 8-1 opening season win over Derby.

But the biggest contribution belonged to senior captain right fielder Lianne Wallace who unloaded a grand slam homer finishing with two hits and five RBI’s to set the tone for the Greyhounds.

“I had the girls make a few adjustments,” said Naugatuck head coach Kevin Wesche. “They needed to go after pitches that they could attack and put it in play with power.”

“I have asked Lianne to try and go to the opposite field and yesterday was indicative to applying what she had learned.”

“She is an excellent student of the game and her home run was the spark to get us going. I think it will provide a catalyst and show the leadership qualities of a senior captain.”

Derby pitcher Jenna Olenoski was having her way with the Lady Greyhounds as the scoreless game reached the fourth inning. After getting through the lineup once without any incidence Olenoski ran into trouble in the fourth.

It turned into a game breaker when Wallace slammed a bases loaded home run as Naugatuck erupted for six runs in the fourth. Two more tallies in the fifth put the game away as the Greyhounds put win number one in the books for 2011.

“After facing her the first time we just got into a rhythm,” said Wallace. “I had grounded out the first time up and I was just looking for a pitch I could drive.”

“There really isn’t a whole lot of pressure trying to replace last years seniors. They were a very good bunch of players but we as seniors need to step up and set the example and I think we did that against Derby.”

Wallace credits being starter last year as being a huge help, giving her the confidence as she plays this year.

It’s only one game in the books but the fast start can prove to be a good starting point as the Lady Greyhounds look to get back to the NVL tournament and make some waves in the states.

Chances are Wallace and the rest of her senior captains will have an awful lot to say about the outcome on the season for the young Lady Greyhounds.