Growing pains for Griswold, and other thoughts | Zanor column

Just thought I’d empty out my reporter’s notebook while I dust off the photo of Larry Bird and Julius Erving choking each other during a game in 1984. The Celtics and 76ers renew their rivalry again in the NBA playoffs on Sunday. Wolverines softball As far as head coaching debuts go, things couldn’t have gone any better for Shae Crosby.

On April 4, the former East Lyme and Keene State softball standout coached Griswold to a 10-0 victory over Putnam/Tourtellotte. Crosby watched as freshman Aubrey Eliasson threw a no-hitter in her first varsity start and freshman Madelynn Walters hit a double and drove in two runs and freshman Alanna Ackley scored three runs and had three stolen bases. Juniors Bella Bruno and Alex Crowley also had key hits.

The Wolverines must have looked like the 2003 Wolverines, who won the school’s only state softball championship with a 1-0 victory over Waterford in the Class M final. Crosby, however, is still searching for her second win. Griswold has dropped five straight games since their season-opening win over the Clippers.

Yup, the Eastern Connecticut Conference softball wars can be so unforgiving for a first-year coach with a very young team. “There are definitely some challenges,” Crosby said. “Rick was a great leader here.