Ledyard Softball Celebrates 50 Years with Thrilling Win

Ledyard High School softball team marks 50th anniversary season with 4-3 victory over Stonington

Apr. 11, 2026 at 11:00pm

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A cubist-style painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and planes in navy, green, and yellow, conceptually representing the multifaceted history and community spirit of Ledyard High School's softball program.A celebratory illustration capturing the energy and legacy of Ledyard High School's 50-year softball program.New London Today

Ledyard High School's softball team celebrated its 50th anniversary season with an emotional 4-3 win over Stonington on Saturday. The game featured a generational connection, with senior shortstop Faith Dalton honoring the program's first coach, Ellen Mahoney, who led Ledyard to seven state championships over her 21-year career. Ledyard drew three leadoff walks and scored on all three, taking the lead for good with two runs in the fifth inning. After the game, the school held a lunchtime reception to celebrate Mahoney's legacy and the program's storied history.

Why it matters

Ledyard softball has been one of the most successful high school sports programs in Connecticut, winning seven state titles and advancing to the championship game seven years in a row from 1990-1996 under coach Ellen Mahoney. The 50th anniversary celebration highlights the generational impact of the program and the lasting influence of Mahoney, who is revered by former players for her attention to detail, discipline, and passion for the game.

The details

Ledyard scored two runs in the fifth inning to take a 4-3 lead over Stonington, one of them unearned. Senior shortstop Faith Dalton, whose younger sister Tessa played center field, spoke about the 'generational connection' of the program and her admiration for coach Ellen Mahoney, whom she has met on a few occasions. Mahoney, who won seven state titles in her 21-year career, was honored at a lunchtime reception after the game, where athletic director Jim Buonocore called the Colonels' softball team 'one of the greatest programs in Connecticut high school sports'.

  • Ledyard High School softball began as a club team in 1976, led by coach Ellen Mahoney.
  • Mahoney coached the Colonels for 21 seasons, winning seven state championships.
  • The Ellen Mahoney Softball Complex at Ledyard was named in her honor in 2013.
  • Ledyard celebrated the 50th anniversary of its softball program on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

The players

Ellen Mahoney

The first coach of the Ledyard High School softball team, beginning with a club team in 1976. Mahoney went on to lead the Colonels for 21 seasons, winning seven state championships.

Faith Dalton

Ledyard's senior shortstop, who spoke about the 'generational connection' of the softball program and her admiration for coach Ellen Mahoney.

Tessa Dalton

Faith Dalton's younger sister, who played center field for Ledyard in the 50th anniversary game.

Melissa Williamson Baumbach

A Connecticut Scholastic and Collegiate Softball Hall of Fame inductee and former Ledyard player who attended the 50th anniversary celebration.

Anita DelaCruz

A member of Mahoney's first Ledyard softball team in 1976, who praised the coach's attention to detail and mentorship.

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What they’re saying

“Just having the generational connection means more than just softball.”

— Faith Dalton, Ledyard senior shortstop

“I just think all of her successes and accomplishments makes me have a lot of pride to wear the Ledyard jersey and just to hold up the same standard that she started and set.”

— Faith Dalton, Ledyard senior shortstop

“Yes, the unity from all those teams in the first 20 years is amazing. I think that they appreciate the effort that all the coaches put in. I think they saw us working hard and it made them work hard.”

— Ellen Mahoney, Former Ledyard softball coach

“I remember her with the rulebook, she carried that rulebook around. And I swear she memorized it, because that's how much attention she had to the game.”

— Anita DelaCruz, Member of Mahoney's first Ledyard softball team in 1976

“In the paper, when I would see her, I'd be like, 'Of course.'”

— Anita DelaCruz, Member of Mahoney's first Ledyard softball team in 1976

What’s next

The Ledyard softball team will continue its season, looking to build on the momentum of the 50th anniversary celebration. The program's legacy and impact on the community will likely be a focus throughout the year.

The takeaway

Ledyard softball's 50-year history is a testament to the power of community, tradition, and exceptional coaching. The program's success under Ellen Mahoney has left a lasting impression, inspiring generations of players to uphold the same standard of excellence both on and off the field.