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Sports

Stamford SportsBeat: Things I'm Thinking ...

I'm thinking about all the great accomplishments by players and teams from our southwestern CT Patch towns.

[Note: Want your ]

I'm thinking the boys volleyball team realizes they're on the verge of doing something special. A year ago, they had a perfect season, going 22-0 in route to a state championship. Behind 6'10" senior Nate Howard, the Rams haven't lost this year, increasing their winning streak to a remarkable 34 straight games.

I'm thinking that Shayna Delaney of is authoring one of the best seasons of any player in the history of girls lacrosse in Connecticut. She scored a total of 20 goals in her first two games and still hasn't been stopped. Delaney has ripped the back of the net an incredible 96 times for the Panthers in 2012.

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I'm thinking about the great things that are happening with the Pomperaug baseball team. Besides suffering just one loss, the Panthers have turned into the no-hit kids. David Cherry has thrown two of the gems while Andrew Reel has authored one no-hitter. Before this season, nobody could ever recall anybody throwing a no-hitter in school history, now Pomperaug has three in one year.

I'm thinking about how big Jonathan Quick, who was born in Milford and played scholastically at and Avon Old Farms, is going to be if he makes it to the Stanley Cup Finals. with 10 shutouts this season and has put the Los Angeles Kings on his back and carried them into the Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Coyotes. After posting a 1.95 goals against average, Quick is a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, awarded to the NHL's best goaltender.

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I'm thinking that Ashley Guillette of is on her way to becoming one of the best softball pitchers the state has ever seen. As a freshman, Guillette is 16-2 and a strikeout machine. She's had five games this season with 15 or more strikeouts.

I'm thinking that pitcher Yesenia Evaristo doesn't get the credit or publicity she deserves. She has thrown two no-hitters for the Tigers this season and set the school record with in loss to Oxford back in April.

I'm thinking that it won't be too long before former Bethel star Matt Barnes makes it to the Major Leagues. The number one pick of the Boston Red Sox in last summer's MLB draft went 2-0 with a 0.34 ERA in five starts with Greenville of the South Atlantic League before he was promoted to the team's Class A affiliate in the Carolina League. In his first start for Salem, hitters in six innings and recorded the win.

I'm thinking that Olivia Hompe and Sarah Mannelly might just be the most prolific duo in since the early 1970's when quarterback Kurt Horton and receiver Pete Demmerle were carving up defenses for the Rams. Don't laugh. who is one of the best hockey players in the history of the state, and who is an incredible three-sport athlete, have teamed up in lacrosse to make New Canaan one of the best squads in the state. They are both tremendously gifted players who have each scored more than 40 goals for the Rams in 2012.

I'm thinking that Charles Ameer of could develop into a strong prospect for the 2012 Major League Baseball draft. At 6'3", the junior pitcher has good size and an arm that can produce 90-mph fastballs. Ameer has been dominate this season, going 6-1 with a 1.53 ERA. In his last three games, he has struck out 12, 10, and 15 batters. For the season, Ameer has 68 strikeouts in 45.2 innings.

I'm thinking it must be cool to be perfect like Meagan Halligan. On April 11, the senior pitcher from tossed a perfect game against Portland. Halligan struck out 11 on her way to achieving perfection. She's been a strikeout machine this year, racking up 104 K's in 72 innings.

I'm thinking that Connecticut lacrosse might not see another player like Case Matheis of for quite some time. attackman is rated by many media outlets and lacrosse experts as the best player in the country. Matheis has scored 45 goals and racked up 81 points for the Blue Wave this season. He'll be taking his talents to Duke next year.

I'm thinking that it'd be neat to see Robert Rotanz (Westport) and CJ Costabile (New Fairfield) win another national championship in lacrosse for Duke. Costabile helped the Blue Devils win its first-ever one in 2010 as he scored the game-winning goal in overtime to beat Notre Dame in the national title game. But I'm sure Matt White (Ridgefield) of Virgina might have other ideas. White helped the Cavaliers to the national championship a year ago and is the the third-leading scorer for UVA in 2012.

I'm thinking it must be pretty awesome to run like Anthony Genovese of The track athlete was a double-winner in the SCC Eastern Sectionals on Monday. He tied a meet record in the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.24. Genovese also won the 200, hitting the tape at 22.60.

I'm thinking that it must be a nightmare for opposing goalies when they face the girls lacrosse team. The Nighthawks have scored goals in 2012.  Meaghan Brophy (47), Meredith Bridges (40), and Erin Kenning (37) have accounted for more than 50 percent of them.

I'm thinking the softball team is getting hot at the right time. Behind pitcher Brittany Fusek (12-1), the Bobcats have won eight straight games and are 15-1 on the season. I'm not sure anybody can cool them off heading into the conference tournament next week.

I'm thinking Bryan Daniello of B is the most valuable player in the FCIAC. Daniello, who is headed to UConn in the Fall, has a 6-1 record as a pitcher. He also has belted six home runs and driven in 18 more in just 45 at-bats. On Monday, Daniello one-hit Ludlowe to clinch an FCIAC playoff berth for the Senators.

I'm thinking Vinny Siena is on his way to becoming the next great college player to come out of The UConn-bound shortstop is one of the best defensive players in the state and is following in the footsteps of Amity grads Jason Esposito (Vanderbilt), Max Russell (Florida Southern) and Pat McKenna (Bryant) into the college ranks.

I think it's pretty special that tossed a no-hitter against Darien on April 11. He retired 19 straight batters and faced the minimum (21) for the game. The no-hitter came on the birthday of Trumbull High School legend who coached the Eagles to 510 victories. McDougall passed away on October 12, 2011 at the age of 75.

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