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Westies blank Branford
Supan tosses 1-hitter in 8-0 win
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 29, 2024) - The West Haven baseball team inched closer to the state tournament with an 8-0 victory over Branford Monday evening at Piurek Field in West Haven. With the win, the Westies improved to 7-6 on the year.
Chase Supan needed just 85 pitches to toss a complete-game one-hitter, striking out 12 in the win. Supan threw 63 strikes and came within a leadoff single in the sixth inning from pitching a perfect game.
West Haven took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Cam Cruz reached on an error, stole second, and scored on a single by Supan.
After the Westies squandered a scoring opportunity in the second when Connor Hume reached on an error and Mike Madera singled, West Haven added two more in the third.
With two outs, Supan was hit by a pitch, Ray Gilbert singled to left, and Hume singled to score Supan, before Gilbert scored on an error on the play.
West Haven squandered another scoring opportunity in the fourth when doubles by Brady Price and Evan Jones failed to produce a run.
The Westies then put the game away with five runs in the sixth. Hudson Axelrod was hit by a pitch, Cruz singled to put runners on the corners, and Jose Padilla singled to score Haygen Axelrod for a 4-0 lead.
Gilbert doubled to score Cruz and Padilla, Madera reached on an error to score Supan, and Price singled to score Johan Quinones.
Cheshire stuns Westies
Rams score three in seventh in 7-6 win
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 1, 2024) - Looking to clinch a spot in the postseason, the West Haven baseball team was one out away from doing so. The Westies could not get that final out in time.
Scoring three times in the top of the seventh inning with two outs, Cheshire rallied to defeat the Westies 7-6 at Piurek Field in West Haven Wednesday afternoon. With the loss, West Haven fell to 7-7 on the year.
Evan Jones got two outs with a runner on first in the seventh inning, but Cheshire followed with two singles and a double to rally for the victory.
West Haven had one final opportunity in the bottom of the seventh as Cam Cruz led off with a single and Chase Supan walked with one out. The rally ended there as Cheshire turned a double play to end the contest.
West Haven took a 2-0 lead in the third inning as Jones hit a one-out single, moved to second on a balk, third on an infield single by Cruz, and scored on another balk. With runners on the corners, Supan grounded into a fielder’s choice to score Cruz.
With the game even at two, West Haven took a 3-2 lead in the fourth as Connor Hume reached on an error, moved to second on a sacrifice by Mike Madera, and pinch-runner Josh Osborne scored when Brady Price reached on an error.
Cheshire scored twice in the sixth to take a 4-3 lead, but West Haven answered again with three runs in the bottom of the inning.
Jeremiah Douglas reached on a one-out error and moved to third on a double to right by Madera. Price reached on an error to score Douglas, another error scored Madera, before Price scored on a wild pitch.
Shelton rallies past Westies
Gaels score four in sixth in 7-3 win
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 3, 2024) - The West Haven baseball team dropped its second straight contest and fell to 7-8 with a 7-3 loss at Shelton Friday night.
The Gaels prevailed as they scored three times in the third inning and four more in the sixth to take the lead for good.
West Haven took a 1-0 lead in the first inning as Evan Jones led off with an infield single, moved to second on a sacrifice by Cam Cruz, stole third, and scored on a grounder to short by Jose Padilla.
The Westies took a 2-0 lead in the third as Jones led off with a double, Cruz reached on an error attempting to sacrifice, Padilla walked, and Supan delivered Jones with a sacrifice fly.
Trailing 3-2, West Haven evened the game in the sixth as Ray Gilbert led off with a double, moved to third on a ground out by Mike Madera, and scored on a single by Jey Scanlon.
Shelton took the lead for good in the sixth as two walks surrounded a West Haven error to load the bases, before a wild pitch scored one run, and a single scored two more. Lucas Forgette came on in relief to get the final three outs of the inning for West Haven.
West Haven had one final chance in the seventh with two on and one out, but a double play ended the contest.
Postseason Bound
Westies qualify for state tournament
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 6, 2024) - The West Haven baseball team qualified for the state tournament with a 3-0 victory over Hillhouse/Career Monday afternoon at Piurek Field. With the victory, West Haven improved to 8-8 on the year.
Chase Supan pitched six shutout innings, allowing one hit, while walking three and striking out 10. Hudson Axelrod pitched a scoreless seventh inning in the clinching victory.
West Haven scored all the runs it needed with two in the first inning and one more in the third. In the first, Evan Jones led off with a bunt single, went to third when Cam Cruz reached on an error, and scored when Jose Padilla reached on a fielder’s choice. Chase Supan hit a one-out single and Ray Gilbert reached on an error to score Padilla for a 2-0 lead.
In the second, Brady Price collected the first of his three hits with a one-out single, Axelrod singled to center, and with the bases loaded, Price scored on a wild pitch.
The rest was up to Supan, who picked off a runner to end the first, recorded a strikeout to strand a runner in the second, and got a ground out with two on to end the fourth. Supan, who stranded another runner in the fifth, then got out of further trouble in the sixth when he stranded two with a strikeout and a liner back to the mound.
West Haven stranded a pair in the third after singles by Connor Hume and Price, stranded two more in the fifth after Price’s third single, and left two on in the sixth after Padilla singled and Supan reached on an error.
Late Inning Dramatics
Westies top North Haven in eighth
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 10, 2024) - With the postseason approaching, the West Haven baseball team knows it will be in tight contests. The Westies showed the resiliency they will need to play in those games.
Trailing twice late in the game, West Haven rallied each time and defeated North Haven 4-3 in eight innings at Piurek Field in West Haven Friday evening.
With the game tied at three in the eighth, pinch-hitter Jey Scanlon led off with a double. Mike Madera bunted down the third base line and an errant throw on the play scored Scanlon for the winning run.
The late inning dramatics were made possible by a pair of West Haven rallies in the sixth and seventh innings.
After the Nighthawks scored twice in the top of the sixth for a 2-0 lead, West Haven responded in the bottom of the inning to tie the game.
Cam Cruz singled with one out, Chase Supan singled to right with two outs, Ray Gilbert singled to center to score Cruz, Connor Hume walked to load the bases, and Mike Madera was hit by a pitch to score Supan with the tying run.
After North Haven took the lead in the seventh inning, West Haven again responded in the bottom of the inning as Evan Jones and Cruz led off with singles, before Jose Padilla singled to left to tie the game.
The late game dramatics were different from the five shutout innings to start the contest. The Westies had scoring opportunities in those frames as Padilla walked and was stranded in the first, Hudson Axelrod walked in the third but was erased on a double play, and Gilbert and Madera singled in the fifth but were left stranded.
Hume pitched the first seven innings, allowing eight hits and three earned runs, while walking three and striking out six. Hudson Axelrod pitched a scoreless eighth with one strikeout to pick up the win.
Guilford thumps Westies
WH falls 10-1
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 11, 2024) - The West Haven baseball team closed the week with a 10-1 home loss against Guilford Saturday afternoon at Piurek Field. With the loss, West Haven fell to 9-9 on the year.
The Westies only had four hits in the contest, and after taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning, went silent the rest of the way.
Lucas Forgette took the loss in the start for West Haven as he tossed the first four innings, allowing three runs, one earned, on five hits, while walking two and striking out one. Haygen Axelrod, Brady Price and Josh Osborne each pitched an inning in relief.
West Haven took a 1-0 lead in the first inning as Evan Jones led off with a bunt single, moved to second on a wild pitch, stole third, and scored on Jose Padilla’s sacrifice fly to center.
Guilford answered with a pair of unearned runs in the second to take the lead for good, then scored once in the third, two in the fifth and three in the sixth.
The Westies had a chance to get on the board in the fourth as Padilla reached on an error and Ray Gilbert singled with one out, but the Westies stranded a pair.
Padilla and Chase Supan hit two-out singles in the sixth, but neither advanced.
Senior Send Off
WH tops O'Brien Tech on Senior Night
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 13, 2024) - On a night to honor the seniors, the West Haven baseball team knew it was going to be in for a tough contest. Facing O’Brien Tech’s ace Ryan Sheehy, the Westies were in for a battle.
Despite Sheehy’s complete-game two-hitter where he struck out 13, West Haven prevailed 3-1 on Senior Night at Piurek Field Monday evening.
Evan Jones and Jose Padilla picked up the lone West Haven hits, and Hudson Axelrod tossed a complete game, allowing one earned run on six hits, while walking one and striking out three.
Trailing 1-0, West Haven took the lead for good in the first inning with a pair of runs.
Evan Jones started the rally by reaching on catcher’s interference, stole second, moved to third on a wild pitch, and scored when Cam Cruz reached on an error. Cruz stole second, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Padilla.
West Haven took a 3-1 lead in the third as Jones led off with a double, moved to third on a sacrifice by Cruz, and scored on Padilla’s grounder to short.
That was all the offense for the Westies as Sheehy retired the last 10 West Haven batters, eight by strikeout.
Axelrod was just as impressive, retiring 11 in a row until a two-out single in the seventh inning. The sophomore pitcher got a ground out two pitches later to end the game.
Foran blanks Westies
WH tops O'Brien Tech on Senior Night
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 18, 2024) - Looking to close the regular season on a positive note and improve the seeding for the CIAC Class LL state tournament, the West Haven baseball team had its opportunities against Foran of Milford. West Haven never capitalized and fell 7-0 in the regular season finale at Piurek Field in West Haven Saturday morning.
With the loss, West Haven fell to 10-10 on the year and will now wait to see its opponent in the state tournament.
West Haven had runners on base in every inning, but never came up with the big hit. After stranding Cam Cruz after he singled in the first, West Haven had a golden opportunity to get on the board first in the second inning.
Ray Gilbert led off with a single, Connor Hume walked, and Mike Madera singled to load the bases with no outs. Foran pitcher Chris Yennella escaped as he got a ground out to erase Gilbert at home, a strike out, and closed the inning with a fly out to end the frame.
The Westies had another opportunity in the third as Jose Padilla and Gilbert singled, but Yennella got another strikeout to end the threat.
While West Haven could not capitalize on its scoring chances, Foran did so in the fourth as a leadoff single was followed by two West Haven errors to load the bases. A single and a fielder’s choice plated two runs, before a two-out single scored two more for a 4-0 lead.
West Haven again had another golden opportunity to get on the board in the fourth as Madera led off with a walk and Hudson Axelrod was hit by a pitch, but two ground outs ended the frame.
The opportunities continued for the Westies in the fifth as Chase Supan reached on an error and Gilbert singled with one out, but neither crossed the plate.
The Lions added another run in the sixth and two more in the seventh to put the game away.
Supan pitched the first four innings for West Haven, allowing four hits and four runs, none of which were earned. Supan walked one and struck out four in the loss.
Hume and Lucas Forgette finished the game on the hill for West Haven.
One Down
WH tops Newington in Class LL first round
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 28, 2024) - All season long, the West Haven baseball team has battle to the end. Tuesday afternoon’s Class LL first round contest at Newington was no different.
Scoring four times in the fifth inning to overcome a three-run deficit, No. 24 West Haven upset No. 9 Newington 7-5 in Newington. West Haven improved to 11-10 with the win.
Ray Gilbert had three of his team’s eight hits, including a pair of doubles, and drove in three runs and scored twice. Jose Padilla had one hit, drove in a pair, and scored twice, Evan Jones had one hit and scored twice, and Brady Price had two hits and one run batted in.
Connor Hume started and picked up the win as he tossed four innings of 6-hit ball, allowing four earned runs. Hudson Axelrod pitched the final three innings to earn the save, allowing four hits and one earned run.
West Haven took a 1-0 lead in the third as Jones and Cam Cruz reached on infield singles with one out, and Gilbert singled with two outs to score Jones.
After Newington scored three runs in the third and one in the fourth, West Haven scored four times in the fifth for a 5-4 lead.
Jones walked with one out, stole second, and moved to third when Cruz reached on a fielder’s choice. After Cruz stole second, Padilla delivered both with a single. Gilbert doubled to score Padilla, and Price reached on an error to score Gilbert.
The Westies added two insurance runs in the seventh as Padilla reached on an error and scored on Gilbert’s double, before Price singled to score Gilbert.
Newington loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh, but Axelrod got a grounder to Padilla at second to end the contest.
West Haven’s rally helped overcome missed opportunities early, particularly in the second when Gilbert reached on an error, Price singled, and Mike Madera reached on a fielder’s choice, but none came around to score.
Hume reached on an error to start the sixth, but he was stranded at second to end the inning.
Two Down
WH tops NFA to advance to Class LL quarterfinals
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 29, 2024) - The season will continue for the West Haven baseball team. Behind a complete-game, 3-hit effort from Lucas Forgette, No. 24 West Haven topped No. 25 Norwich Free Academy 2-1 in the second round of the Class LL state tournament Wednesday afternoon.
With the victory, West Haven moves on to the quarterfinals, where the Westies will play at top-seeded Southington Saturday at noon.
Forgette allowed just a first inning run, before he mixed his pitches well and used the stellar play of his defense to pick up the win. Shortstop Evan Jones was stellar in the field with eight assists, including starting a key double play in the sixth, while Brady Price and Mike Madera combined for five putouts in the outfield, several on the run.
After NFA took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, West Haven answered immediately in the bottom of the inning with a pair of runs.
Jones led off with a single, moved to second on a sacrifice by Cam Cruz, and scored on a single by Jose Padilla. Ray Gilbert followed with a double to plate Padilla for a 2-1 lead.
That was all the offense on the day and Forgette made the runs hold up. With the bases loaded in the second, Forgette got a fly ball to Price in center to end the frame.
Forgette helped himself in the third with a pair of pickoffs, before Price, Jones, and Madera each made stellar plays in the fourth for a quick inning. Forgette got three ground ball outs to Jones in the fifth, before he ran into trouble in the sixth.
After a walk and single by NFA opened the inning, Forgette got a sharp grounder to Jones, who started a double play. With two outs and a runner on third, Jones went up the middle to snare a grounder and record the final out of the inning.
Forgette then threw a perfect seventh to send West Haven back to the quarterfinals, where the West Haven season came to an end a season ago.
Season Over
WH falls to No.1 Southington in Class LL semifinals
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(June 1, 2024) - In the blink of an eye, the season has ended for the West Haven baseball team. Tied at one with the state’s top team, West Haven watched as Southington scored six times in the sixth inning to top No. 24 West Haven 7-1 in the Class LL quarterfinals at Southington High School Saturday afternoon.
West Haven (12-11) had just evened the game in the top of the inning when Evan Jones led off with a double to right, moved to third on a sacrifice by Cam Cruz, and scored on a single to left by Jose Padilla. A double play grounder ended the inning, and Southington was ready to pounce in the bottom half.
A leadoff single and a walk ended the day for West Haven starter Hudson Axelrod, who was terrific through five, allowing just a second inning run. Connor Hume relieved and a 3-run home run, a triple, and a sacrifice fly gave Southington a 5-1 lead.
Jey Scanlon was hit by a pitch to start the seventh, but West Haven could not muster a rally.
The Westies had limited scoring chances in the game, the best being in the first inning when Cruz was hit by a pitch with one out and Padilla singled, before a wild pitch had a pair of runners in scoring position. West Haven did not capitalize.
Cruz had a two-out single in the third, but went no further, forcing the Westies to relay on Axelrod and their defense.
Brady Price and Mike Madera made running catches in the outfield and Padilla made a nice running grab in the third to keep West Haven down just a run. West Haven made numerous big plays, but none better than in the fourth when Price made a diving catch in center for the second out and Madera made a running catch into the fence deep in left to end the frame.
BASEBALL 2024
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; Gianni Gambardella '21, '22
Retired Numbers - Jerry Gambardella (Class of 2000) #21
Westies blanked by Greenwich
West Haven falls 2-0
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(March 30, 2024) - The West Haven baseball team was looking to get off to a good start. Chase Supan gave the Westies everything they could have asked for on the mound.
The senior pitcher tossed a complete game, allowing just two runs on two hits, while striking out two and walking two.
Unfortunately for Supan and the Westies, Greenwich pitcher Troy Goodwin was just as good.
Goodwin also tossed a complete game two-hitter, striking out six and hitting a batter as Greenwich topped West Haven 2-0 in Greenwich Saturday afternoon. He did not allow a walk.
The difference in the game was the fourth inning as John McHugh led off with a home run to center, and a two-out single by Goodwin plated the second run.
That was all the offense on the day for Greenwich, but Goodwin made the two runs stand up. West Haven had just two hits, a sixth inning single by Mike Madera and a leadoff single by Ray Gilbert in the seventh inning.
West Haven’s first baserunner came in the third when Brady Price was hit by a pitch, but he was caught stealing. Supan was hit by a pitch to lead off the fifth, but he went no further.
Madera hit a one-out single in the sixth, but a fly out and a ground out left him stranded. Gilbert provided more life to start the seventh as he reached on a sharp single to third, but a pop out and two strikeouts ended any thought of a West Haven comeback.
Despite the Cardinals putting runners on base, Supan was in control of the contest. Supan picked off a runner in the first, worked around a two-out walk in the second, and picked off another runner in the fifth.
Westies fall in Hamden
Big hits propel Green Dragons
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 1, 2024) - The West Haven baseball team was looking to get its offense going and get in the win column in the process Monday afternoon in Hamden. While the offense showed life with seven hits, the initial win of the 2024 season did not follow as the Green Dragons posted a 9-2 victory over the Westies at Hamden High.
West Haven had its chances to score, but only capitalized in the first and fourth innings. Jose Padilla led the offense with three hits, while Chase Supan and Brady Price each had a pair of hits in the loss.
West Haven’s threatened early as Jose Padilla and Hudson Axelrod walked to lead off the game and Ray Gilbert was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Chase Supan singled to score Padilla, and with one out, Connor Hume hit a fly ball to right.
Axelrod appeared to score on the fly ball, but he was ruled out for not tagging up on the play.
Hamden then responded in the bottom of the inning, using a two-out, two-run double by Kam Gamm for a 2-1 lead.
West Haven threatened again in the second as Price and Padilla singled and Axelrod walked to load the bases, but West Haven could not get on the board.
The Westies evened the game in the fourth, but again left runners in scoring position. Price started the rally with an infield single, Mike Madera reached on an error, and Padilla double to score Price and send Madera to third.
With two West Haven runners in scoring position, Hamden again got out of the inning with a pair of ground outs to end the threat.
The Green Dragons added single runs in the fourth and fifth innings, then blew the game open with five in the sixth for the 9-2 lead.
Supan singled, but was stranded at second in the fifth, and Padilla’s two-out single went for naught in the sixth.
Westies rally past Hall
WH posts 11-9 comeback victory
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 6, 2024) - Starting the season with a pair of losses, the West Haven baseball team knew the importance of getting on the winning side. The start of Saturday’s game against Hall was not the way the Westies drew things up.
Trailing 6-0 after a half inning and 9-3, West Haven rallied for an 11-9 victory Saturday afternoon at Piurek Field.
Cam Cruz led the offense with three hits, two runs batted in, and a run scored, Jose Padilla, Ray Gilbert and Chase Supan each had a pair of hits, while Padilla, Evan Jones, Gilbert, and Mike Madera each scored twice.
Hudson Axelrod picked up the win in relief, tossing four innings of three-hit, shutout baseball, walking four and striking out two. Supan picked up the save with a scoreless seventh.
Trailing 6-0 before they batted, the Westies chipped away with three runs in the bottom of the first. Gilbert doubled to score Jones, Supan followed with a single, Brady Price walked to load the bases, and Cruz doubled to score Gilbert and Supan.
Hall got those three runs back in the top of the second, before West Haven cut the deficit to 9-4 in the bottom of the inning. Madera led off with a double to left, Padilla singled, and an error plated West Haven’s lone run of the inning.
West Haven scored four times in the third with two outs to cut the deficit to 9-8. With the bases loaded, Gilbert singled to score Madera, Supan singled to right to score Padilla and Jones, and a double steal scored Gilbert to get the Westies within a run.
As Axelrod pitched his second shutout inning, West Haven took the lead for good with three runs in the fourth.
Cruz singled to left, Haygen Axelrod and Madera walked with one out to load the bases, and Padilla doubled to left, scoring Cruz and Haygen Axelrod for a 10-9 lead. Jones then lifted a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Madera for the 11-9 advantage.
Westies fall to Cheshire
WH drops 9-2 decision
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 8, 2024) - After a comeback victory over Hall, the West Haven baseball team was looking to extend its winning streak to two games. Despite jumping on the board first, West Haven could not build and fell 9-2 at Cheshire Monday afternoon.
West Haven (1-3) had eight hits in the game, but the Westies could not come up with the clutch hit.
With the game scoreless after three innings, West Haven took a 1-0 lead in the fourth. Evan Jones started the rally with a bunt single and moved to second on the play, before scoring on a one-out double by Chase Supan.
West Haven could not deliver Supan with another run in the inning, and Cheshire rallied with three runs in the bottom of the inning for a 3-1 lead.
The Westies rallied with two outs in the fifth, but they could not get any runs on the board. Mike Madera hit a two-out single to right and Jose Padilla followed with a double, but both runners were left stranded in scoring position.
The Rams put the game away with five runs in the bottom of the inning and added another in the sixth. West Haven added a run in the sixth as Brady Price and Cam Cruz singled with two outs, and Jey Scanlon doubled to score Price.
Haygen Axelrod started for West Haven and took the loss. Lucas Forgette pitched the final 1 2/3 innings, allowing just two hits and no earned runs.
Supan leads Westies
WH tops Branford on senior's gem
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 9, 2024) - After a road loss to Cheshire, the West Haven baseball team had no time to ponder what went wrong. One day later, Chase Supan helped get the Westies back on track.
Behind a complete game two-hitter, Supan led the Westies to a 4-1 road victory over Branford Tuesday afternoon. Supan walked two and struck out four as West Haven improved to 2-3 on the season.
Evan Jones led the offense with two hits and one run scored as the Westies were held to just five hits in the game.
After Branford took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a leadoff double, sacrifice and ground out, West Haven tied the game in the third inning. Hudson Axelrod led off with a walk, moved to second on a sacrifice, and scored on a two-out single by Jose Padilla.
Jones singled to put a pair of runners on, but Branford got out of the inning. The Westies, who went down in order in the first, second, fourth and seventh innings, threatened in the fifth as Mike Madera reached on a fielder’s choice and stole second, but he was left stranded.
Supan retired the last 13 batters he faced and allowed West Haven to pull away with three runs in the sixth.
Jones started the rally with a leadoff single, stole second and third, and scored on Gilbert’s sacrifice fly to center. Supan followed with a single to left, Brady Price walked, and Cam Cruz reached on an error to load the bases.
Jey Scanlon followed with a pinch-hit single to score Supan and Price for a 4-1 advantage. Scanlon went to second on the play, but he was left stranded to end the inning.
Supan did the rest, not allowing a ball to leave the infield during the final six outs.
Westies blanked by Shelton
West Haven falls 2-0
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 11, 2024) - The West Haven baseball team is looking for a winning streak to get the team going. Two days after topping Branford, West Haven had that opportunity.
Despite a solid pitching outing from Connor Hume, the West Haven bats were held silent against Shelton and the Gaels defeated the Westies 2-0 at a soggy Piurek Field Thursday afternoon.
Hume went the first five innings on the mound, allowing four hits and two runs, striking out four and walking three.
West Haven was held to just three hits in the game, two by Chase Supan and one by Ray Gilbert, in the loss. West Haven had just four base runners in the game as Shelton pitcher Will Hugya retired 16 batters in a row until Supan led off the seventh with a single.
Cam Cruz followed with a two-out walk in the seventh, but any late inning dramatics ended there as West Haven fell to 2-4 on the year.
West Haven’s best threat came in the first inning as Supan and Gilbert had two-out singles, but West Haven could not push the first run across.
The Gaels needed just one inning to score, putting two runs on the board in the third inning. Two singles, a West Haven error, and a sacrifice fly gave Shelton a 1-0 lead, before another West Haven error gave the Gaels a 2-0 advantage.
Westies fall to Law
West Haven drops 5-2 decision
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 15, 2024) - Looking to get back on the winning track, the West Haven baseball team had the right recipe. The Westies had jumped out to an early lead with their ace on the mound.
Despite a solid pitching performance from Chase Supan, Law scored twice in each of the fifth and sixth innings to top West Haven 5-2 at Jonathan Law Monday afternoon.
After Brady Price reached on an error and Connor Hume walked with one out in the second and were left stranded, the Westies took a 2-1 lead in the third.
Mike Madera led off with a single, Evan Jones hit a one-out single to put a pair of runners on, and Supan singled to right to score Madera and even the game at one. With runners on the corners, Ray Gilbert singled to score Jones, but Supan and Gilbert were left stranded.
After Law stranded a pair in the third, Cam Cruz singled with one out in the fourth and stole second, but he was left stranded.
A one-out, run-scoring double by Law tied the game in the fifth, before a West Haven error gave Law a 3-2 lead. A double steal gave Law a 4-2 lead in the sixth, before a bases loaded walk increased the margin to 5-2.
The Westies tried to rally in the seventh, loading the bases with one out as Madera reached on an error to start the inning, Jones hit a one-out single, and Supan singled to load the bases. West Haven could not get the clutch hit as a fly out and a ground out ended the contest.
Jones and Supan led West Haven with two hits apiece in the loss.
Westies top Hillhouse
Balanced attack leads to 10-2 victory
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 19, 2024) - The West Haven baseball team got back on the winning track with a 10-2 victory over Hillhouse/Career Friday afternoon at Bowen Field in New Haven.
Connor Hume picked up the victory, allowing four hits and two earned runs, while walking one and striking out eight in six innings of work.
Offensively, West Haven had 12 hits and took advantage of five Hillhouse errors. Jose Padilla led the way with three hits, two runs scored, and a run batted in, Evan Jones and Hume each had a pair of hits, Brady Price, Chase Supan, Ray Gilbert and Mike Madera each added a hit and scored a run, with Price driving in a pair and Supan, Gilbert, and Madera knocking in one apiece.
After a scoreless first inning, West Haven took a 2-0 lead in the second inning as Gilbert reached on a one-out error, Hume doubled to right, and Price grounded out to short to score Gilbert. Madera lined a double to left to score Hume for a 2-0 lead.
The Westies increased the lead to 5-0 with three runs in the third. Cam Cruz hit a one-out single, Padilla doubled to left to score Cruz, Supan singled to score Padilla, and Gilbert singled to left to score Supan.
Leading 5-1, West Haven put the game away with four runs in the fifth. Padilla led off with a single, Hume walked with two outs, Price singled to score Padilla, pinch-runner Josh Osborne scored on an error on the play, Madera reached on an error to score Price, and Jones singled to score Madera.
Haygen Axelrod scored the final West Haven run in the seventh when he walked and later scored on a wild pitch.
West Haven tops Law
Clutch hits lead to 6-1 win
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 20, 2024) - The West Haven baseball team won its second game in a row and improved to 4-5 with a 6-1 victory over Jonathan Law Saturday afternoon at Piurek Field in West Haven.
Hudson Axelrod picked up the win for West Haven as he tossed a complete game, allowing three hits and one earned run, while walking three and striking out four. Axelrod also had a solid day at the plate with two hits and two runs batted in.
Cam Cruz had one hit for the Westies and drove in a pair, while Mike Madera had one hit, walked twice, and scored two runs.
West Haven took a 2-0 lead in the third inning as Madera hit a one-out single, Evan Jones singled with two outs, and Cruz doubled to right to score Madera and Jones.
After Law went down in order in the top of the fourth, West Haven scored three times in the bottom of the inning for a 5-0 lead.
Chase Supan and Ray Gilbert opened the inning with consecutive triples for the first run, and Gilbert scored on a wild pitch. Madera followed with a walk, stole second, and scored on a single by Axelrod.
Law cut the lead to 5-1 in the sixth, but the Westies answered in the bottom of the inning. Brady Price reached on an error with one out, Madera walked, and Axelrod doubled to left to score Price.
Westies top Foran
Supan delivers in 8-0 victory
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 22, 2024) - The winning streak for the West Haven baseball team has reached three games. Behind solid pitching from Chase Supan, and timely hitting, West Haven defeated Foran 8-0 at Foran High Monday afternoon.
Supan tossed six innings of two-hit ball, striking out 1 and walking just two. Haygen Axelrod struck out the side in the seventh to close the contest as West Haven improved to 5-5.
After stranding one runner on base in each of the first three innings, West Haven took the lead with a pair of runs in the fourth. Ray Gilbert and Connor Hume hit two-out singles, and both scored when Mike Madera reached on an error.
After stranding a pair of runners in the first, Supan struck out the side in the second, stranded two more in the third, and again struck out the side in the fourth.
Supan escaped a bases loaded jam in the fifth with a strikeout, before the Westies increased the lead to 4-0 with a pair in the sixth.
After Brady Price was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, Evan Jones and Cam Cruz singled with two outs to load the bases, before Jose Padilla drove in Price and Jones with a single to left.
West Haven broke the game open with four runs in the seventh inning.
Supan led off with a single to left, Jey Scanlon reached on an error, and Price followed with a single to score Supan. Hudson Axelrod singled to load the bases, Jones singled to score Scanlon, and Cruz singled to score Price and Hudson Axelrod.
Jones, Cruz, Padilla, and Gilbert each had two hits in the game. Cruz and Padilla each drove in a pair.
Westies run past Hamden
Padilla leads way in 12-2 victory
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 24, 2024) - The winning streak has reached four games for the West Haven baseball team. Behind two hits, two runs batted in, and three runs scored by Jose Padilla, West Haven pounded 10 hits on its way to a 12-2 victory over Hamden in a game stopped after five innings due to the mercy rule at Piurek Field in West Haven Wednesday afternoon.
Evan Jones and Chase Supan also had a pair of hits, with Supan driving in four runs and Cam Cruz scoring three times.
Connor Hume picked up the save in relief for winning pitcher Haygen Axelrod. Hume allowed two hits and no runs in two innings of work.
After Hamden scored twice in the top of the first, West Haven evened the game in the bottom half. Cruz reached on a one-out error, Padilla doubled to score Cruz, and Ray Gilbert hit a two-out single to score Padilla.
West Haven took the lead for good with three runs in the second for a 5-2 lead. Mike Madera led off with a walk, stole second, moved to third on a sacrifice by Brady Price and scored on an error on the play. Infield singles by Hudson Axelrod and Jones scored Price, before Hudson Axelrod scored on a sacrifice fly by Padilla.
The Westies added three runs in the fourth when Cruz led off with a single, Padilla tripled to score Cruz, Supan doubled to score Padilla, and Gilbert reached on an error to score Supan.
West Haven ended the game with four runs in the fifth as a Hamden error scored Hudson Axelrod, Supan singled to score Cruz and Jones, and Jey Scanlon walked with the bases loaded to score Padilla with the clinching run.
Grizzlies walk off Westies
West Haven falls 7-6
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 27, 2024) - The winning streak for the West Haven baseball team has come to an end. After rallying to tie the game with three runs in the top of the seventh, West Haven watched as Guilford scored in the bottom of the inning for a 7-6 victory at Guilford High School Saturday morning.
Trailing 6-3, the Westies (6-6) rallied for three runs in the seventh. Cam Cruz, Jose Padilla, and Chase Supan started the rally with one-out singles, before Ray Gilbert singled to left to score Cruz to get within 6-4.
Jey Scanlon then grounded into a fielder’s choice to score Padilla, before Mike Madera reached on an error with two outs to score Supan with the tying run.
The Grizzlies wasted no time in the bottom of the inning as a West Haven error, a single and an intentional walk loaded the bases, before Guilford got the game-winning hit.
The rally came after West Haven trailed 5-0 after three innings and chipped away to get within striking distance.
Gilbert started the comeback with a single in the fourth, Scanlon singled and both scored on a triple by Brady Price. In the fifth, Jones, Cruz and Padilla singled to load the bases, and Supan scored Jones with a sacrifice fly.
West Haven squandered scoring opportunities in the contest as Cruz singled and Padilla walked with one out in the first, but both were left stranded. In the second, Scanlon singled, moved to second on a sacrifice by Madera, and third on a grounder by Price, but was left at third.
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