By JOHN NASH

johnnash@thestamfordtimes.com

STAMFORD — This Stamford High School softball season could have been marked under a pair of "What Could Have Been" headings.

If juniors Megan Robustelli and Lauren Beluk hadn't stepped up and been willing to take over the pitching and catching duties, the season could have been a unmitigated disaster for one of the FCIACs most competitive programs.

"We've lost five or six games in the last inning and we just can't close," said Robustelli. "We could have been 14-6 this season, probably. We're better than half the teams we've lost to. We should definitely be better than our record, but we're young."

In fact, if there is one thing that's been holding the Black Knights this season, it has been the inability to slam the door in an opponent's face — a trademark of many young teams learning how to win.

"It's a seven-inning game, from first pitch to last pitch," said head coach Tony Esposito. "We tell them, there is no clock here. You can't freeze the ball and get that 1-0, 2-1 win. You have to get that third out. We just haven't closed the door."

On Saturday, facing Trumbull on the road, the Black Knights epitomized the frustration of their season.

They led the 17-0 Eagles — the state's second-ranked team according to one poll — by a 1-0 score entering the bottom of the sixth inning.

Trumbull pulled out the win, 2-1.

The game showed how close Stamford is to being one of the best teams in the league again.

"It proved what we're capable of," said junior captain Katie Pape. "If we can play with them, we can play with anybody. We're a young team and we've accepted that, but we really need to close out these games."

Only two seniors start: shortstop Lauren Butler and second baseman (and captain) Brittany Moavero. Amanda Bucci is the third senior on the roster.

In addition to the new Robustelli-to-Beluk battery, Stamford also starts two freshmen most of the time — Chelsea Ciaretta at third base and Lindsey Yanicky at first base.

So while the Black Knights might want to look forward to a year when its more experienced, the Trumbull loss — not to mention all the other close defeats — makes the team know it's on the verge of something special.

And with the postseason around the corner, Stamford could be a very dangerous team to face.

"We want to make some noise," said Esposito. "Let's face it, it's been a frustrating year and the kids want to win. But the kids are coming around as a team. It's all about carrying it over to next year, but I'm certainly not giving up on this year."

"We can be a threat to any team," said Moavero.

All it will take is finding a way to shut the door on their opponents in the late innings.