St. Vincent de Paul Girls' Softball: Best in the Region

A long season of training and indoor practices has finally paid off for the St. Vincent de Paul Eagles girls’ softball team as they recently defeated St. Rita’s 8-3 in the Greater New Haven Parochial Athletic League Championship game.

The game was tied twice but the Eagles never allowed St. Rita’s to take the lead. A gutty pitching performance by Kaityln Mingione stymied the St. Rita’s offense as Mingione struck out 12 batters while going the distance.

“Kaityln was like a rock out there today, hard to move and she didn’t get rattled. She remained composed, settled in and she helped deliver us the goal we set out in the early spring”, said Coach Dan McCann, adding that the Eagles were also solid defensively.

Seventh-grader Laura Anderson made two spectacular plays at third base. When in the 4th inning a St. Rita’s hitter lasered a line drive down the third-base line, Anderson scooped it up and threw out the runner.

“I’ve coached for St. Vincent for seven years and some travel ball as well and that by far was the finest defensive display I’ve seen. Anderson saved the game not just once but twice,” said McCann.

The game was 0-0 until the 3rd inning when St. Vincent took a 2-0 lead. But St. Rita’s answered back with two of their own in the bottom frame. In the 4th inning, St. Vincent took the lead again going up 4-2, but the 5th inning is where they broke it open. Eighth-grader Angela Ranciato led off the 5th with a bullet triple to left field followed by Kaitlyn Mingione’s homerun to right field bringing the score up to 6-3. Additional scoring from Alexis Esposito and Tierney Riccitelli put the 7th and 8th runs up on the board.

“I knew from last year’s disappointing finish that the returning girls wanted to show the rest of the league they belonged and they could be champions,” said McCann. “They certainly showed it today and they were certainly not intimidated by any opponent this year. I am very proud of all of them. They truly are Champions.”  

This is St. Vincent de Paul’s first softball championship since 1996.