Pictured: Cromwell sophomore Lily Kenney emerged from a crop of outstanding young pitchers in the Shoreline to be named the conference’s pitcher of the year.
Some of what we’ll remember most from this fascinating 2021 Shoreline Conference softball season:
North Branford steamrolled its way through the second half of the season, winning 15 of 16, culminating in another Shoreline Conference championship.
Freshman pitcher Kiley Mullins’ shutout performances for the Thunderbirds in the semifinal against Coginchaug and final against Old Lyme set the stage for what could be three special seasons to come.
The Player of the Year — senior Lexi Ross — comes from a team (Valley Regional) that did not qualify for state tournament play, so Ross’ career ends on quite a high note.
Pitcher of the Year Lily Kenney of Cromwell leads a remarkable class of young arms that we should hear from again and again over the next several years.
Leah May, who attends Portland and faced the possibility of not having a season because of low turnout, was the top hitter on the East Hampton/Portland team. The co-op came together just before the season began. May hit two home runs for the Bellringers.
The list of players who received all-conference recognition:
Player of the Year: Lexi Ross, Valley Regional
Pitcher of the Year: Lily Kenney, Cromwell
Coach of the Year: Steve DeMartino, Coginchaug
Conference champion: North Branford
All-Shoreline First Team
Pitchers: Lily Kenney, sophomore, Cromwell; Bella Richwine, freshman, Haddam-Killingworth
Catcher: Hanna Senerchia, junior, North Branford

Infielders: Madison Tessmer, junior, Cromwell; Jada Miconi, senior, North Branford; Grace Lathrop, senior, Old Lyme; Amalia DeMartino, senior, Coginchaug

Outfielders: Jamie Anderson, junior, Cromwell; Ivy McNiel, freshman, H-K; Lexi Ross, senior, Valley Regional
Utility: Samantha LaFemina, junior, Hale-Ray; Paige Kolesnik, senior, Old Lyme
All-Shoreline Second Team
Pitchers: Bella Hills, junior, North Branford; Kelly Boothroyd, senior, Coginchaug
Catcher: Dana Boothroyd, senior, Coginchaug
Infielders: Jessica Stricker, senior, Hale-Ray; Ella McGlynn, senior, H-K; Erica Piercey, senior, North Branford; Ava Marenna, junior, Coginchaug

Outfielders: Kendall Kollmer, senior, Old Saybrook; Sophia Ouelett, senior, North Branford; Emma Bayor, freshman, Old Lyme; Allison Strang, sophomore, Coginchaug
Utility: Victoria Gage, junior, Old Lyme; Abby Amara, junior, Valley Regional
All-Shoreline Honorable Mention
Pitchers: Christina Lombardi, senior, Old Saybrook; Kaleigh Bodak, sophomore, H-K; Abby Benson, sophomore, Valley Regional

Catcher: Brooke Praskievicz, sophomore, Hale-Ray; Leah May, junior, East Hampton/Portland; Sydney Robison, sophomore, Morgan
Infielders: Malena Signorello, sophomore, Cromwell; Lindsey Onofrio, freshman, North Branford
Outfielders: Grace McFarlin, sophomore, Cromwell; Lily Bourgeois, junior, Hale-Ray