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The Riptide team, managed by Wally Hurd, started playing as a 10-and-under team and came close on several occasions to reaching the World Series. This year’s team appeared to have its dream dashed when it lost in the New England Regional last weekend.
Norwalk received an invitation on Sunday, however, based on its past success and its achievements this summer. The Riptide are one of 15 teams at the World Series and will play four games in pool play. The top four teams from pool play will advance to a double-elimination round beginning Monday.
“We really wanted to experience it once,’’ said Amy Hurd, a pitcher and outfielder for the Riptide. “We’re excited to finally get the chance.”
Hurd and Ryan Lajoie have been the primary pitchers for the Riptide. The rest of the team is Allison Hall, Erin Frederick, Becky Stefanatos, Nicole Bonanni, Tori Dugan, Mallory Rochefort, Katelyn Spielman, Ali Brown, Tori Rodriguez and Allison Pitasi. Coaches Mike Bonanni and Rob Rochefort have been fixtures on Hurd’s staff.
What makes the unit unusual is that they are all Norwalk girls, and most of them have been together during the entire run. For many softball teams, girls move to premier programs with players from different municipalities as they age. Many others turn to other activities. Norwalk’s team has stayed unified.
“I definitely still have the passion for it,’’ Amy Hurd said. “And so do the other girls. I think that has a lot to do with why we’re still playing together. We get along, and we’re comfortable with one another. I think we always got along really well. A lot of us go to school together, and we do a lot of things together outside of softball.”
Norwalk’s mood soured after its regional loss, believing it missed one of its last chances to reach the World Series. But the team was uplifted the next day when it was invited to North Carolina. “We did not expect this at all,’’ Amy said. “When we found out we were all excited.”
Norwalk plays two games Friday, one on Saturday and one on Sunday. They will participate in opening ceremonies on Thursday night. They will play in the first game of the tournament on Friday morning. Fans can follow the team on the Babe Ruth World Series website.
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