I don't think I would have put her name on top of this list coming into the season but Norwich Free Academy's Caitlin Eaton appears to be the front runner now for Player of the Year in softball in Eastern Connecticut.
Eaton hasn't played this well since she burst on the season as a freshman and it's certainly helping the Wildcats as they have climbed to the top of the Eastern Connecticut Conference's Large Divisionwith only one loss thus far.
Eaton came into the season off a troubling back injury that helped limit her to just 21 at-bats last season. Not sure what to expect, NFA coach Jim Cotter limited Eaton a closer role on the mound but wanted to keep her out in the field full time.
That thought quickly ended after games vs. Fitch and Waterford where she shut down both teams when she came into the game. Eaton is NFA's pitcher now and she showed her worth in that capacity again on Tuesday when she limited the Falcons to three hits.
Her bat is also doing plenty of talking as she also leads the area in homers with six and is right up there in doubles and triples as well. It makes it mighty difficult on any pitcher to face the likes of Eaton, Gen Barlow and Gina Facchini, the three hitters who occupy the middle of the NFA lineup.