A three-run first inning accounted for the Ridgefield High softball team’s only scoring in Monday’s game against visiting Trumbull.
It was enough.
Behind the pitching of Kailey Westington, the Tigers defeated Trumbull, 3-1, in a game among two of the FCIAC’s top teams so far this season.
With the victory, Ridgefield moved to 11-3 in the conference (11-5 overall) and opened a 1.5-game lead over Trumbull (9-4 FCIAC, 11-4 overall) for fourth place in the conference standings.
Ridgefield’s first-inning rally began innocently enough on a lead-off single from Meghan Hyatt. After Kendall Rogoff walked, Gwen Ellis singled home Hyatt to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead.
With Sydnie DeMarco at the plate, Jackie Nadel, pinch running for Ellis, set off for second base, prompting a throw from Trumbull catcher Harleigh Kaczegowicz. Rogoff then took off for home on a delayed steal from third base and beat the throw to the plate.
Kayleen Walter followed with a single up the middle, scoring Nadel, and giving the Tigers a 3-0 lead.
Trumbull pitcher Ally Szabo collected herself after that and pitched three scoreless innings.
In the top of the third inning, Trumbull cut into Ridgefield’s lead.
The Eagles got three hits from Nicole Palmer, Lauren Zielinski and Kaczegowicz, with Kaczegowicz’s single driving home Palmer to make the score 3-1.
From the fourth inning on, the game settled into a pitchers’ duel. Szabo was taken out in the fifth, and Trumbull reliever Taylor
Brown pitched one-and-a-third scoreless innings. Brown allowed two walks, but set down every other batter she faced.
But the Eagles could not make any further inroads against Westington.
Trumbull hitters went a combined 1-for-13 over its final three at-bats and had just three batters reach base as Ridgefield preserved its 3-1 triumph.