Softball Game Preview: Masuk Panthers vs. E.O. Smith/Tolland Bucks

The Masuk Panthers will take on the E.O. Smith/Tolland Bucks on Friday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.

Masuk is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Wednesday. Their pitcher stepped up to hand RHAM a 17-0 shutout. The Panthers are really starting to get used to good results now that the team has won 13 straight.

Julia Bacoulis made a big impact while hitting and pitching. She kept things locked down with no earned runs or hits while striking out 11 over five innings pitched. She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't given up more than two hits in 14 consecutive appearances. She was also stellar in the batter's box, going 2-for-4 with one home run, three runs, and three RBI. That's the most runs she has posted since back in May.

Josie Lieto

Runs (Career)

06/04/25 vs RHAM	3
04/24/25 vs New Fairfield	2
04/23/25 @ Stratford	2
05/27/25 vs Newtown	1
05/24/25 vs New Fairfield	1

In other batting news, Masuk got a massive performance out of Josie Lieto, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with three runs, two RBI, and one double. Those three runs gave Lieto a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Sofia Lieto, who went 1-for-3 with three RBI and two runs.

Masuk always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .606. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as RHAM only posted an OBP of .000.

Meanwhile, E.O. Smith/Tolland's hitters rose to the challenge against a Redcoats pitching crew that boasted an average of only 4.08 runs allowed on Wednesday. The Bucks put the hurt on Berlin with a sharp 13-5 victory. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Bucks.

Masuk's win bumped their record up to 23-1-1. As for E.O. Smith/Tolland, their victory bumped their record up to 7-4.