Westies fall in Finale
Cross tops WH 8-4
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 19, 2016) - The West Haven baseball team has not had the season it envisioned. Thursday afternoon in New Haven put the exclamation point on the campaign.
Holding an early lead, the Westies watched again as another bad inning proved to be their demise. Scoring seven times in the fourth inning, the Governors rallied to defeat West Haven 8-4 in New Haven. West Haven's eighth loss in its last nine games dropped the team to 4-16 on the year.
West Haven took a 3-0 lead in the second inning and looked to be on the right track with Adrian Urbina on the hill. But, the Governors ended any thoughts West Haven may have had of ending the campaign with two straight wins as they scored seven times in the fourth and once more in the fifth to post the victory.
The Westies took a 3-0 lead in the second inning as Nick Flammia singled to center to score John Cambino, Kalan Morgillo delivered Tim Gates with a grounder to second and Flammia scored on a wild pitch.
The Westies never rallied again, getting only singles from Sean Jefferson in the third and Morgillo in the fourth. Alex Tejero capped the scoring with a homer to right in the seventh.
Davis leads Westies
Six-hitter leads WH past Platt Tech
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 18, 2016) - Looking to end the season on a positive note, the West Haven baseball team turned to Lorenzo Davis. In appropriate fashion, the senior responded, tossing a complete-game six-hitter in a 2-1 win over Platt Tech on Senior Night at Piurek Field Wednesday evening.
Lorenzo Davis pitches against Platt Tech on Senior Night, May 18, 2016. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Davis allowed an unearned run, while walking two and striking out six in picking up his third win of the season.
Brett Gradoia and Tim McCarthy each had a hit and drove in a run, while Gradoia and Alex Tejero each scored. Tejero had two hits as well.
After Platt Tech scored its only run of the game in the third inning, following a West Haven error, the Westies scored their only two runs in the fifth inning.
With two outs in the fifth, Tejero singled and Gradoia doubled to score Tejero. McCarthy followed with a single to score Gradoia for a 2-1 lead.
Adrian Urbina had West Haven's other hit to lead off the fifth, but was erased on a grounder by Sean Jefferson. Urbina walked to lead off the fourth, but was left stranded.
Foran thumps Westies
Quick start lifts Lions to 6-0 win
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 16, 2016) - With a playoff spot still at stake, Garrett Walker and the Foran baseball team made sure to capitalize. Scoring twice in the first inning and three more in the second, Foran cruised to a 10-1 win over West Haven in a Southern Connecticut Conference contest at Piurek Field Monday evening.
The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Lions and helped the team improve to 7-10. More importantly, the win allowed the Lions to get one step closer to the postseason, now needing only a win in its final three games to play in the postseason.
"Winning two out of four sounds like a big task," Walker said. "Winning one of three does not sound as daunting. It is nice to get the first one out of the way. More important, we came out with a purpose tonight, played our style of play and let the chips fall where they may."
The Lions took advantage of six West Haven errors and some early scoring to stop a stretch of five losses in six games. With its seventh consecutive loss, West Haven fell to 3-15.
"That is not a 6-8 (10) team," West Haven coach Ron Luneau said of Foran. "They are a pretty good team. The kid (T.J.) Stuart is going to a Division I school for a reason. He threw very hard."
The Lions gave T.J. Stuart all the run support he needed in the first inning. With one out, Justin Lanese was hit by a pitch by West Haven starter Sean Jefferson, Brett Huber singled, and Brian Wydra doubled with two outs to score both for a 2-0 advantage.
The Lions increased the lead to five runs with three more in the second. Bailey Wheeler reached on an error, and after James Mucciaccaro reached on an error attempting to sacrifice, Jonathan Lickteig singled to left to score Wheeler. Colin Firmender followed with a single to right, scoring Mucciaccaro.
"It was nice to get out to a two-run lead," Walker said of the start. "It was nice to play with a two-run lead. We have had one-run leads, but to see two runs is a big confidence booster."
A pair of West Haven errors in the fourth helped Foran to a 6-0 lead, before the Lions put the game away with three more runs in the fifth. Lanese drove in a run with a single in the fifth and Bryan Firmender added another with a sacrifice fly off Nick Flammia for a 9-0 advantage.
Despite feeling he did not have his best stuff, Stuart was solid for six innings, allowing just one run on five hits, while striking out five and walking five.
"We have been on a little bit of a slide," Stuart said after improving to 2-2. "We dropped four competitive games. We had four left and we knew we needed a win against a West Haven team which had played Fairfield Prep and Hamden tough. They were in competitive games. We wanted to jump the gun and we hit the ball well. We got the two runs and we were able to hold them without scoring early."
West Haven could not capitalize on its opportunities, leaving two runners in scoring position in the second when Stuart retired Kalan Morgillo on a grounder to first. With runners on the corners in the fourth, Stuart got Gates on a fly ball to right.
Stuart's best effort came in the fifth. After Morgillo walked and moved to third on a double by Mario Kiaunis, Stuart struck out the next three batters to end the frame.
"It was a very gutsy performance," Walker said of Stuart. "He competed with just his fastball and not his best secondary pitches."
Lanese and Mucciaccaro led Foran with two hits apiece.
Guilford pounds Westies
Indians cruise to 14-1 win
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 14, 2016) - With the postseason hopes gone, the West Haven baseball team hoped to close the season on a high note. Unfortunately for West Haven, that note will have to start a different day.
Trailing from the start, West Haven fell to Guilford 14-1 Saturday afternoon at Piurek Field. With the loss, West Haven fell to 3-14 on the season.
Alex Tejero (11) scores the lone West Haven run in a 14-1 loss against Guilford, May 14, 2016. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Guilford set the tone of the game, scoring four times in the first inning. West Haven responded with its only run of the contest in the bottom half of the inning, but it was not nearly enough.
In the bottom of the first inning, Alex Tejero led off with a single, moved to second on a walk to Brett Gradoia and scored on a two-out single to center by Sean Jefferson.
Guilford added four runs in the second and three in the fifth for an 11-1 lead.
Tim Gates and Mario Kiaunis had the other West Haven hits in the game.
Eliminated
WH falls to Xavier to drop to 3-13
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 11, 2016) - There will be no postseason for the West Haven baseball team. Needing to win out, the Westies fell to Xavier 7-2 Wednesday evening at Piurek Field.
The loss, which came after West Haven led 1-0 in the sixth, drops the Westies to 3-13 on the season.
Adrian Urbina (9) and the Westies fell to Xavier, May 11, 2016. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
West Haven took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Adrian Urbina reached on an error to score Brett Gradoia. The lead would hold as neither team could generate much offense over the next four innings.
The sixth inning was a different story. A hit batter and an error put two on for Xavier, before a double by Josh Cyr gave the Falcons a 2-1 lead. Cyr scored on a ground out to give Xavier a 3-1 advantage.
West Haven got a run back in the bottom of the inning as Kalan Morgillo led off with a walk, Alex Tejero reached on an error and both advanced on a passed ball. Tim McCarthy drove in Morgillo with a ground out, but West Haven never pushed across the tying run.
Xavier put the game away with four runs in the seventh for a 7-2 lead.
On the Brink
Loss to Cross leaves WH no room to spare
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 10, 2016) - The margin for error has disappeared. With five games remaining in the regular season, the West Haven baseball team has reached the point where it can not lose another contest.
Tuesday afternoon's 7-1 loss at Piurek Field assured this as the Westies dropped to 3-12 on the season. With five games remaining, West Haven must win out to play in the postseason.
Alex Tejero (11) and West Haven fell to Cross, May 10, 2016. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
West Haven did not help matters against the Governors, managing only three hits off the bats of Kalan Morgillo, Mario Kiaunis and John Cambino. When all was said and done, Cross scored three runs in the third off Lorenzo Davis and never looked back.
Davis threw six innings, allowing seven earned runs on six hits, while striking out three and walking three. Mike Vitolo allowed two hits in a scoreless seventh.
The Westies did not have many quality scoring chances in the games as Nick Flammia was stranded after a two-out walk in the second and Cambino was left on second after a one-out single in the third.
Trailing 4-0 in the fifth, Morgillo and Kiaunis singled with one out, but only Morgillo scored in the inning after a wild pitch.
Cross responded with three runs in the sixth to put the game away, and put West Haven's season on the brink.
Slipping Away
Fairfield Prep tops Westies 2-0
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 9, 2016) - With the games coming off the schedule, the West Haven baseball team realizes its dilemma. Six games remain and after a 2-0 loss to Fairfield Prep Monday evening at Piurek Field, the Westies need to win five if they hope to play in the state tournament.
Against the Jesuits, Sean Jefferson went the distance, allowing two earned runs on eight hits while striking out three, but it was not enough as the West Haven bats could not produce any runs.
The Westies managed just four hits, one apiece by Tim McCarthy, Tim Gates, Nick Flammia and Kalan Morgillo. Unfortunately, neither crossed the plate as the Jesuits played stellar defense throughout.
Kalan Morgillo had one of four West Haven hits against Fairfield Prep, May 9, 2016. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Morgillo singled with one out in the third, but was picked off. Trailing 1-0 after Prep scored in the top of the fifth, Gates and Flammia singled with two outs in the bottom of the inning, but Dom Cambino grounded into a fielder's choice to end the frame.
Brett Gradoia reached on an error with two outs in the sixth and McCarthy followed with a single, but Adrian Urbina flied to right to end the inning.
Mario Kiaunis (25) makes the play against Fairfield Prep, May 9, 2016. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
The Jesuits added a run in the top of the seventh on a double by Daniel Kiernan for a 2-0 lead, and the Westies went down in order in the bottom of the inning to drop their third game in a row.
Not Enough
Hamden edges Westies 3-2
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 5, 2016) - No one had to tell the Hamden baseball team what was at stake when the Green Dragons played host to West Haven Thursday afternoon at Legion Field. A day after thinking they were on their way to securing at least a tie of the Southern Connecticut Conference Quinnipiac Division title, the Green Dragons again took care of business.
A new field and time made no difference to Hamden as the Green Dragons posted a 3-2 win over the Westies, securing at least a tie atop the standings of the Quinnipiac Division. The Green Dragons need only a win against Xavier on Monday or a loss by Fairfield Prep in division play to seal its first division title outright since the start of the league in 1995.
"We have never one won since the beginning of the SCC in 1995," Hamden coach Chris Borelli said after the original game on Wednesday was scrapped after three innings with Hamden leading 8-0. "We have never won this. There is a lot of motivation to win this for this team."
Adrian Urbina and the Westies fell against Hamden, May 5, 2016. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
The Green Dragons used that motivation Thursday afternoon, riding the stellar pitching of junior Anthony Sitro, and timely hitting by Ron Grant, Mike Ferrett and Brian Hawes.
Just a day after Ron Grant was in control against the Westies, Sitro was just as good, allowing just 2 runs on four hits, while striking out six and walking one. Ferrett pitched a scoreless seventh to record the save.
"He has been like that for us all year," Borelli said of Sitro. "He made the pitches when he had to. The defense made the plays behind him. We have put pressure on him to keep us in games. He did a great job for us, giving us six strong innings.
"Winning the division means everything to us. When I first got here five years ago, one of the first things I said was there was no SCC banner hanging in the gym. Our first goal was to put an SCC banner up there. We wanted to win the division, which we had never done before. We wanted to get eight wins, win the division, get in the SCC tournament and win a state title. We have accomplished two of those goals so far this year."
After rolling along Wednesday afternoon before the game was stopped due to rain, Hamden got on the board quickly on Thursday, taking a 1-0 lead in the first when Ferrett singled with two outs to score Kwadir Delgado-McIntyre.
West Haven evened the game in the second when Adrian Urbina led off with a long triple to left and scored on Sean Jefferson's double to right. Hamden responded in the third when Hawes led off with a double to left and scored on Grant's two-out single to center for a 2-1 lead.
"I was a little nervous coming into today," Borelli said. "It is hard to come back the next day with them having a second chance," Borelli said after his team improved to 10-2 overall and 6-1 in division play. "I knew Ronnie (Luneau) would have them ready to play. It is all about mental toughness. Sometimes you need that mental toughness to pull out games like this."
After squandering Urbina's double in the fourth, West Haven rallied to tie the game in the fifth. Tim Gates was hit by a pitch, stole second, moved to third on Kalan Morgillo's sacrifice, and scored on John Cambino's grounder to second.
Tim Gates (24) and the Westies fell against Hamden, May 5, 2016. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
"I am seeing improvement," West Haven coach Ron Luneau said after his team fell to 3-10 overall and 0-6 in division play. "That is a good sign. I want to see us take that last step and that is learning how to finish."
Hamden scored the eventual winning run in the sixth when Andrew Kirschenbaum walked, moved to second on a sacrifice by Jovan Lomax and scored on a one-out double to center by Hawes.
"It is unbelievable," Sitro said of winning at least a share of the division title. "It feels amazing. I was just trying to execute my pitches today."
West Haven's Urbina allowed three runs on eight hits, while walking five and striking out six in a complete game effort.
"Adrian Urbina was the old Adrian Urbina today," Luneau said. "He was excellent on the mound. He kept them off balance. He also did a great job with the bat."
Urbina led West Haven with two hits and a run scored in the loss. Hawes led Hamden with two doubles and a run batted in, while Ferrett also had two hits and drove in a run.
With the loss, West Haven sees its postseason hopes become slimmer as the Westies will need to win five of their last seven games to get into state tournament play.
ND stuns Westies
Two in seventh helps Green Knights sweep Westies
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 2, 2016) - In need of wins to play in the postseason, the West Haven baseball team looked as if it was going to pick up its biggest victory of the season Monday evening. Leading by one run entering the seventh inning, West Haven could not close the deal, falling to cross-town rival Notre Dame 4-3 at Whitey Piurek Field.
The loss allowed the Green Knights to complete the season sweep over the Westies, but more importantly, dropped West Haven to 3-9 on the season. West Haven needs five wins in its last eight games in order to play in the postseason.
"I am proud of thee kids," West Haven coach Ron Luneau said. "They are giving me everything they have. We made some mental mistakes and you can't have those in games like this. That's the tough part. I thought we played well enough to win."
John Cambino (1) and the Westies fell to Notre Dame, May 2, 2016. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
The Westies entered the seventh inning with a 3-2 lead and Sean Jefferson pitching well for six innings. Notre Dame put the ball in play in the final inning and scored twice to steal the win.
Notre Dame took advantage of an error by West Haven to lead off the inning. After a sacrifice put a runner on second with one out, Lorenzo Davis relieved Jefferson and walked Michael Torniero to put a pair of runners on with one out.
Zach Ardito followed with a walk to load the bases, and Dylan Reynolds singled to right to score a pair for a 4-3 Notre Dame lead. Davis escaped without any further damage, using a pair of ground balls to get out of the inning.
West Haven had a chance to even the game in the bottom of the seventh as Brett Gradoia led off with a single, Kalan Morgillo sacrificed Gradoia to second and Tim McCarthy followed with a grounder to move Gradoia to third.
With two outs, West Haven's last hope in Adrian Urbina grounded to second for the final out of a gut-wrenching loss for the Westies.
Alex Tejero (l.), Sean Jefferson (16) and the Westies fell to Notre Dame, May 2, 2016. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
After Jefferson and Notre Dame's Ardito matched scoreless innings through four innings of work, West Haven broke through in the bottom of the fifth with three runs.
Jefferson led off with a single, and with one out, pinch-runner Conde moved to third on a single by John Cambino to right.
Alex Tejero was hit by an Ardito pitch to load the bases, before Gradoia walked to force in Conde for a 1-0 lead. After Lou Masselli popped out for the second out, McCarthy came up big as his single to left scored Cambino and Tejero for a 3-0 lead. Ardito escaped further trouble by getting Urbina on a grounder back to the mound.
Notre Dame came right back in the sixth, scoring two runs to get within 3-2. Ardito started the rally with a single to left and scored on a triple to right by Reynolds. Frank Longley then singled to center to score Reynolds, getting the Green Knights within a run.
Ardito allowed three runs on six hits, while walking two and striking out three in 5.2 innings of work for Notre Dame.
Jefferson pitched 6.1 innings for the Westies, allowing three runs on six hits, while walking two and striking out two. Davis took the loss in relief for West Haven.
McCarthy and Cambino led the West Haven offense with two hits apiece, while Ardito, Reynolds and Michael Piechota each had two hits for the Green Knights.
Westies win DH
WH improves to 3-8 with sweep over Bassick
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 30, 2016) - If ever the West Haven baseball team needed a pair of victories, that time was Saturday when the Westies played host to Bassick in a doubleheader at Whitey Piurek Field.
Combining for 56 hits in a pair of games, the Westies swept a doubleheader from Bassick, winning the first game 24-0 and the second 21-7. With the wins, West Haven improved to 3-8 on the season, keeping their playoff hopes alive.
Lorenzo Davis pitched a one-hitter in the first game against Bassick, April 30, 2016. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
In the opener, Lorenzo Davis picked up his second win of the season, going the distance and allowing one hit while striking out 11.
The offense had 29 hits in the game, with Adrian Urbina leading the way with five hits, four runs batted in and two runs scored. Tim McCarthy also had a big game with three hits, five runs batted in and two runs scored. McCarthy and Urbina combined for 15 hits in both games.
Brett Gradoia and John Cambino each had three hits in the opener with Gradoia driving in three runs and scoring three times, while Cambino scored four runs and drove in two. Alex Tejero, Lou Masselli, and Sean Jefferson each had a pair of hits as everyone in the lineup had at least one hit in the game.
Brett Gradoia (17) slides into second against Bassick, April 30, 2016. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
West Haven took a 2-0 lead in the first inning as Masselli doubled to score Tejero, and Urbina singled to score Masselli. Gradoia doubled to score Cambino and Tejero in the second, Urbina doubled to score McCarthy, and Nick Flammia singled to score Urbina as West Haven led 13-0 after two innings.
In the second game, Flammia started on the hill, tossing the first four innings. He allowed eight hits, six runs, four of which were earned, two walks and struck out one. Urbina pitched the final three innings, allowing three hits and one run, while striking out three.
Offensively, Tejero, McCarthy and Urbina each had four hits, Jefferson and Kalan Morgillo each had three hits, and Masselli and Cambino each had a pair.
Gates drove in five runs, Urbina drove in four and Jefferson scored four times. Gradoia, Masselli, McCarthy and Urbina each scored three times.
Nick Flammia pitches against Bassick, April 30, 2016. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
After Bassick scored in the top of the first, West Haven took the lead in the bottom of the inning as Urbina singled to score Gradoia, Jefferson walked to score Masselli and Gates cleared the bases with a triple.
Leading 5-3, West Haven put the game away with nine runs in the second inning. Urbina doubled to score Masselli and McCarthy, Jefferson tripled to score Urbina and Tejero singled to score Cambino.
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Alex Tejero RBI single against Notre Dame, April 13, 2016
BASEBALL 2016
Sean Jefferson RBI double against Hamden May 5, 2016
Lou Masselli 2-run single against Notre Dame, April 13, 2016.
Championship teams - 1967, 1973, 1984, 1988, 2009 (No. 1 in Ct.)
All-State Players - Anthony Pacileo '84; Mel Wearing '85; Mike Anquillare '86; Nick Piombino '88; Paul Mulligan '88; Dave Anquillare '89; Aaron Sellner '92; Kevin Jason '92; Shane Russell '93; Rob Farnen '94; Jason Criscio '95; Gary Tarquino '95; Pete O’Neill '96; Joe DeCrescenzo '97; Jerry Gambardella '00; Matt Cavallaro '02; Rich Mordente '03; Matt Gianini '03, '04; Nico Gambardella '05; Tom Lawrence '09; Eric Stone '10; Tyler Gambardella '13
Retired Numbers - Jerry Gambardella (Class of 2000) #21
Westies Fall
Lyman Hall tops West Haven 6-4
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 27, 2016) - The West Haven baseball team saw its losing streak reach six games Wednesday afternoon with a 6-4 loss against Lyman Hall. The setback dropped West Haven to 1-8 on the season as the Westies approach the middle point of the season.
Sean Jefferson (16) and the Westies fell to Lyman Hall, April 27, 2016. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Sean Jefferson started on the hill for the Westies and took the loss. Jefferson went the distance, allowing six hits and five earned runs, while walking five and striking out three.
Alex Tejero led the offense with three hits and two runs scored as the Westies had eight hits on the day.
Nick Flammia (7) and the Westies fell to Lyman Hall, April 27, 2016. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Lyman Hall took a 3-0 lead in the first inning, but the Westies rallied to get within 3-2 in the bottom half of the inning. Tejero led off with a single, Brett Gradoia followed with another safety, and Tim McCarthy singled to load the bases.
When Adrian Urbina hit into a fielder's choice, Tejero scored. Gradoia also scored on an error on the play.
The Westies could not get the tying run over the next three innings and the Trojans extended their lead to 4-2 in the fifth. Lyman Hall scored what looked to be a pair of tack-on runs in the seventh, but those runs proved to be the difference in the game as West Haven scored twice in the seventh.
In the last inning, Jefferson led off with a single, John Cambino was hit by a pitch, and Tejero singled to load the bases with one out. Gradoia reached on a fielder's choice to score pinch-runner Ty Reeves.
After Lou Masselli reached on an error to load the bases, McCarthy walked to score Tejero. With the winning run on base, West Haven could not capitalize as Urbina lined to left to end the game.
Slipping Away
Westies fall to Xavier to drop to 1-7
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 25, 2016) - If the West Haven baseball team has its mind set on playing in the postseason, it needs to get going quickly. Watching as another big inning proved costly, West Haven fell to Xavier 12-3 Monday afternoon in Middletown.
The loss, West Haven's fifth in a row, dropped the team to 1-7 on the season. The Westies need seven more wins in the last part of the season to qualify for postseason play.
Tim McCarthy (2), seen here earlier in the season, and the Westies fell to Xavier, April 25, 2016. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Monday was a microcosm of the season thus far as a tight game was blown open when Xavier scored six times in the third inning to take an 8-2 lead. The Westies, who have fallen victim to big innings this year, never recovered and watched as the Falcons added four more runs in the fifth to pull away for good.
West Haven took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Lou Masselli and Tim McCarthy walked with two outs and Adrian Urbina followed with a single to score Masselli.
After the Falcons scored twice in the bottom of the inning against West Haven starter Lorenzo Davis, the Westies evened the game in the second. John Cambino doubled with two outs, Alex Tejero walked and Cambino scored on a single by Brett Gradoia.
Unfortunately for West Haven, that was as close as the score would be. Xavier answered with six runs in the third off Davis and never looked back with an 8-2 lead.
West Haven got within 8-3 in the fifth when McCarthy's sacrifice fly scored Tejero, who was hit by a pitch to start the inning. Xavier knocked away any momentum West Haven had when the Falcons scored four runs in the fifth off Ty Reeves to put the game out of reach.
Davis went four innings for the Westies, allowing eight runs, only two of which were earned, on four hits, while striking out three and walking three.
Skidding
Hamden sends WH to fourth straight loss
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 20, 2016) - West Haven baseball coach Ron Luneau has been waiting for his team to find that clutch hitting. Luneau will have to continue to wait.
Unable to hold on to an early lead, the Westies fell to Hamden 6-2 at Whitey Piurek Field Wednesday afternoon. The loss was West Haven's fourth in a row and dropped the Westies to 1-6 on the year.
"I am happy with the way we played," West Haven coach Ron Luneau said. "We played a pretty good game. Hamden is very good."
Nick Flammia (7) and West Haven fell against Hamden, April 20, 2016. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
West Haven took a 1-0 in the second inning as Sean Jefferson reached on a dropped third strike, moved to second on a passed ball and third on Nick Flammia's single to center. Jefferson scored when Tim Gates grounded out to second.
The Westies could not hold the lead as Hamden went ahead for good with two runs in the third inning. Mike Ferrett doubled to left with one out to score Avery Shugrue and Ron Grant for a 2-1 Hamden lead.
Sean Jefferson (16) and Tim Gates (24) make a play as West Haven fell against Hamden, April 20, 2016. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
After the Westies went down in order against Sitro in the third, Hamden added three more in the fourth. Kwadir Delgado-McIntyre singled to score Trevor Brandi for a 3-1 advantage and Ferrett followed with a single to score two more.
"The kids are playing hard," Luneau said. "I like the way we played."
Hamden pitcher Anthony Sitro retired the Westies in order in the bottom of the inning and Hamden answered with another run in the fifth as Brandi singled to score Andrew Kirschenbaum for a 6-1 lead.
The Westies squandered a golden scoring opportunity in the fifth as Mario Kiaunis and Alex Tejero walked with two outs and Brett Gradoia singled to load the bases. Masselli then walked to force in Kiaunis, but, representing the tying run, Tim McCarthy struck out to end the frame.
Sean Jefferson (16) and West Haven fell against Hamden, April 20, 2016. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Jefferson went the distance for West Haven, allowing six earned runs on 11 hits, while walking two and striking out two.
Westies fall to Jesuits
7-3 loss drops WH to 1-5
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 18, 2016) - The West Haven baseball team continues to have that one bad inning. Suffering another tough inning, this time in the second, against Fairfield Prep, the Westies fell to the Jesuits by a score of 7-3 Monday afternoon in Fairfield.
With the loss, West Haven's third in a row, the team fell to 1-5 on the year. Nick Flammia pitched for the Westies and took the loss.
"I thought he did an excellent job," West Haven coach Ron Luneau said of Flammia. "We did not make enough plays behind him. I thought he was excellent."
Brett Gradoia (17), seen here against Guilford, and the West Haven baseball team fell against Fairfield Prep, April 18, 2016. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
After taking a 3-0 lead in the first inning, West Haven could not hold on as the Jesuits scored six times in the second inning for a 6-3 lead. The Jesuits never looked back.
Prep, which took advantage of three West Haven errors in the game, added another run in the fourth inning to take a 7-3 lead.
"I am more concerned that we are not making basic plays," Luneau said. "Offense will be hot and cold. Defense has to always be good. We are making too many errors."
Adrian Urbina (9), seen here against Guilford, and the West Haven baseball team fell against Fairfield Prep, April 18, 2016. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
West Haven jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning as both Lou Masselli and Adrian Urbina came up big. Masselli and Urbina, who both had doubles in the game, gave the Westies the three-run cushion as Masselli drove in one run and Urbina knocked in a pair.
Alex Tejero also tripled in the loss for the Westies.
Guilford trounces Westies
McCarthy homer not enough in 14-3 loss
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 16, 2016) - Coming off a disappointing loss against cross-town rival Notre Dame, the West Haven baseball team turned to Lorenzo Davis to get the team back on track. Davis, with the team's lone win on the mound this season, could not prevent the Westies from losing their second straight contest.
Scoring six times in the first inning and adding another in the second, Guilford never looked back in a 14-3 win over the Westies in Guilford Saturday morning.
Lorenzo Davis (5) started and took the loss against Guilford, April 16, 2016. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
The Indians did not waste any time capitalizing in the game, taking advantage of two walks, a hit batter and a double to take a 2-0 lead. By the time the inning had ended, the Indians pushed across four more runs for a 6-0 lead.
West Haven junior Tim McCarthy got one of those runs back in the second when he led off with a homer to left.
Trailing 7-1 in the third, the Westies plated two more runs to get within 7-3. Tim Gates led off with a single to left, moved to second on a passed ball and scored on a double to left by Alex Tejero.
Brett Gradoia singled to left to put runners on the corners, and, after Lou Masselli lined out, Sean Jefferson singled to center to score Tejero. With two on and one out, the Westies failed to get any closer as McCarthy flied to left and Adrian Urbina grounded out to end the frame.
Tim McCarthy (2) homers against Guilford, April 16, 2016. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
West Haven again had a chance to get back in the game in the fourth as Gates and Tejero singled with two outs. With runners on the corners, Gradoia grounded out to end the threat.
As that threat slipped away, so did the game in the bottom of the inning as Guilford put six more runs on the board to take a 13-3 lead. The Indians added another run in the sixth to send the Westies to their second straight loss.
Tim Gates (24) scores against Guilford, April 16, 2016. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Tejero and Gates led the West Haven offense with two hits apiece.
Westies fall to ND
Errors costly in 9-5 loss
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 13, 2016) - Notre Dame left fielder Bradley Zsampar had a feeling the team which came up with the big plays in a meeting with cross-town rival West Haven might have the better chance at victory. Zsampar did his part to make sure those big plays came from the Green Knights.
After making a diving catch to end a West Haven rally in the first inning, Zsampar saved his best for the sixth inning. With the Green Knights up by two runs and West Haven threatening with the bases loaded and one out, Zsampar gunned out Alex Tejero at the plate, and the Green Knights scored twice in the bottom of the inning to defeat the Westies 9-5 in a Southern Connecticut Conference Quinnipiac Division contest at Quigley Stadium Wednesday afternoon.
Brett Gradoia (17) against Notre Dame - West Haven, April 13, 2016. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
"This is a big win for us," Zsampar said after his team improved to 2-2. "Obviously, they are our rivals. We wanted to come out here and get going early. We knew we had to make all the plays. This was a great all around win for us. On that play, I knew they were going to send him. I knew I had to make a good throw and we were able to get him."
Trailing 7-5 entering the sixth, the Westies loaded the bases against Notre Dame pitcher Ryan Ahern on a fielder's choice, a hit batter and a walk to Lou Masselli. With a 2-0 count, Sean Jefferson lined a shot to Zsampar in left and Zsampar's one-hop throw to the plate nailed Tejero to end the inning and any hopes of a West Haven comeback.
"We have to stay focused," Notre Dame coach Don Martone said. "We are a team built to work. The only way we are going to be successful is for us to work hard every day. We need to be mentally tough. Every guy needs to focus on working on the mental part of the game."
The Green Knights put the game away in the bottom of the inning, scoring a pair of runs on a run-scoring single by Zsampar and a bases loaded walk to Zach Ardito.
While the Green Knights made the big plays when they needed to, the same could not be said for the Westies who committed a pair of physical errors and more mental errors.
Mario Kiaunis (25) against Notre Dame - West Haven, April 13, 2016. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
"We made some errors, but I am very proud of the kids," West Haven coach Ron Luneau said after his team fell to 1-3. "We never gave up in the game. We had some mental blunders and we kept battling. We need to cut down on our mental mistakes."
The Westies took a 1-0 lead in the first inning as Masselli's sacrifice fly to right scored Tejero who had walked to lead off the game against Dylan Reynolds.
The Green Knights responded to take a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the inning as Jefferson walked Frank Longley with the bases loaded to force in a run and Nick Datre singled to score Reynolds for a 2-1 lead. Matt Jambor followed by lining a two-run single on an 0-2 pitch to give Notre Dame a 4-1 lead.
"We made some mental mistakes, but I have nothing but good things to say," Luneau said. "I think we are moving in a positive direction. We are a very inexperienced team. We will take it one game at a time to reach our goal of making the (state) tournament."
West Haven evened the game at four in the second with three runs as Nick Flammia started a two-out rally with a single, John Cambino walked and Tejero singled to score Flammia. Brett Gradoia singled to load the bases and Masselli singled to left to score Cambino and Tejero to even the game at four.
"The kids stepped up,"Luneau said.
The Green Knights made sure the tie was a short one as they responded with a pair in the bottom of the inning for a 6-4 lead. Reynolds delivered one run with a sacrifice fly and Ardito doubled to score another.
"We are young and inexperienced," Martone said. "We have eight different people in positions from last year. The guys who have been here,we are not expecting them to carry the team. We want them to be part of it. There is no added pressure on (Dylan) Reynolds and (Zach) Ardito. We want them to help the young guys."
Zsampar led Notre Dame with two hits, one run scored and a run batted in, while Datre had two hits and a run batted in. Mike Torniero and Charles Rhodes each scored twice.
Gradoia led West Haven with two hits, while Masselli drove in three runs.
Rally Time
Urbina leads Westies past Lyman Hall
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 11, 2016) - West Haven baseball coach Ron Luneau has been looking for his team to come up with a big hit early in the season. With the offense shut down over the first two games, Luneau did not look as if he would see that big hit in the third game either.
Through six innings, the Westies, who had scored just one run in the first two games of the season, added just another and trailed Lyman Hall by a run. That all changed in the seventh inning as the Westies took advantage of Adrian Urbina's pinch-hit double to score four times in a 5-2 victory over the Trojans in Wallingford.
Coach Ron Luneau (c.) watched as his West Haven baseball team rallied to defeat Lyman Hall, April 11, 2016. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
"I am very proud of the way we came back," Luneau said. "I am very proud of the fortitude the team showed. The seniors are the ones who did it. We challenged the seniors to step up and they did. This was a nice win for us."
Trailing 2-1 in the seventh inning, Alex Tejero reached on a one-out error and Brett Gradoia and Lou Masselli followed with singles to load the bases. Sean Jefferson tied the game at two with a sacrifice fly, scoring Tejero.
Tim McCarthy kept the rally going as he reached on an error to load the bases and Urbina came off the bench to hit a pinch-hit double to center, clearing the bases and giving West Haven a 5-2 lead.
"(Adrian) Urbina came up with the big hit," Luneau said. "He came off the bench and got a big hit for us. He stepped up for us."
Urbina's hit made a winner out of Lorenzo Davis, who was solid on the mound, tossing a complete game. Davis allowed six hits and two earned runs, walking four and striking out four.
"Lorenzo did a great job," Luneau said of Davis. "He did a great job spotting his pitches. He was able to get some strikeouts, which we have not had all season. He did not want to come out of the game. It was his game."
Davis allowed only two runs in the first inning, tossing six scoreless innings from there.
Trailing 2-0, West Haven inched closer in the fourth as Masselli reached on an error, McCarthy walked with one out, Tim Gates reached on an error with two outs to load the bases, and Davis walked to force in a run.
The Westies looked as if they would tie the game in the fifth, but stranded a pair of runners, setting up the dramatic win in the seventh.
Masselli led the West Haven offense with three hits and a run scored, while McCarthy scored twice.
Shut Down
Westies blanked by Danbury to fall to 0-2 on season
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 9, 2016) - Two games into the 2016 season, West Haven coach Ron Luneau sees his team on a two-game skid. While the Westies have scored just one run in the season's first 14 innings, Luneau sees a brighter picture.
Just one day after being trounced by Foran in the season opener, the Westies played much better despite being shut out 3-0 by Danbury Saturday afternoon in the home opener at Piurek Field.
"We had one bad inning," Luneau said. "We made some errors in that inning and those were the only runs they scored. I'm concerned about the whole team and the inexperience we have. My goal is to get better every single game. After a horrible start against Foran yesterday, I thought we came back and played much better."
Sean Jefferson gave Luneau and his staff an outing they were looking for as Jefferson went the distance, allowing just four hits.
Sean Jefferson (16) throws a pitch against Danbury, April 9, 2016. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
"I thought Sean Jefferson did an outstanding job," Luneau said. "He kept us in the game by mixing his pitches. He kept them off balance the whole game."
Unfortunately for Jefferson, he did not receive much run support as the Westies mustered only three hits in the game. Alex Tejero, Brett Gradoia and Tim Mccarthy had the hits for West Haven, with McCarthy following up on his two-hit day against Foran to open the season.
The Westies had four other runners on base by way of walks, with Adrian Urbina reaching twice, but the offense could not convert.
West Haven stranded runners on base throughout as it could not get going on offense. McCarthy hit a one-out single in the second, stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch, but after walks to Tim Gates and Urbina loaded the bases, Lorenzo Davis grounded out to end the frame.
Lorenzo Davis (5) makes a play against Danbury, April 9, 2016. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Four West Haven errors in the third inning led to all the Danbury runs it needed as Jefferson had two outs on on one by error, and the defense could not help him out of the inning, committing three more errors before the frame ended.
Tejero was stranded at second after leading off the third with a single. Urbina walked to lead off the fifth, went to second on a wild pitch and third on a two-out single by Gradoia, but was left stranded when Lou Masselli popped out to third to end the inning.
Jefferson kept Danbury at bay the rest of the way, but the Westies could not push any runs across in the loss.
Over Early
Season opens with 16-1 loss to Foran
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 8, 2016) - The West Haven baseball team waited a few extra days to start the 2016 season. The Westies could have waited a little longer.
Scoring nine runs in the first inning and adding five more in the fourth, Foran cruised to a 16--1 victory over the Westies at Ken Walker Field in Milford.
The season opener for the Westies saw the pitching staff allow 12 hits, the defense commit four errors, and the offense not produce a run until the seventh when Peter Richetelli drove in Tim McCarthy.
Tim McCarthy had two hits in a loss to Foran, April 8, 2016. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Offensively, the Westies did not muster much against Foran's Drew Corsi as Alex Tejero and McCarthy each had two hits. Sean Jefferson, Mike Vitolo, Richetelli and Brett Gradoia each had one hit apiece.
Adrian Urbina started on the mound for West Haven and lasted three innings for the Westies, throwing 94 pitches, 45 for strikes.
Urbina allowed 12 runs, only six of which were earned, on eight hits and eight walks. Richetelli pitched the final three innings, allowing four runs, two of which were earned, on four hits and three walks. The Westies did not strike out a Foran batter on the day.
Peter Richetelli and the Westies fell to Foran, April 8, 2016. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
West Haven's only run of the day came in the seventh as McCarthy lined a single to center, Vitolo followed with an infield single to short and Richetelli hit a one-out single to left to score McCarthy.
Foran put the Westies away early, taking advantage of some Westie mistakes in the opening inning. Urbina did not help himself as he walked the bases loaded to start the game, then watched as Foran scored the first run on a West Haven error.
A double scored two more, before another walk and a single opened the game up. Another West Haven error loaded the bases, before Urbina walked in a run to give Foran a 6-0 lead. Foran then cleared the bases with a double, sending the Westies to the second inning down 9-0.
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