Grizzlies Win 10-4 at Wilbur Cross

Apr 17, 2023

Guilford earned a 10-4 win vs. Wilbur Cross on Monday afternoon at Rice Field in New Haven. The Grizzlies had 5 extra-base hits including 3, in-the-park homeruns that fueled their offense, along with some quality pitching that held the Governors in check.

The first 3 innings were a struggle for both teams. After the 1st inning, the score was tied 1-1 although neither team had gotten a hit. The second inning was scoreless for both teams then Guilford scratched a run across in the 3rd when Lucas Ametrano walked, stole 2nd, moved to 3rd on a wild pitch, and then scored on an infield hit by Mike Buccaro.

With the score 2-1 Grizzlies, the Governors threatened the lead when they loaded the bases in the bottom of the 3rd with 2 outs, but Guilford starting pitcher, Preston Markham got a big strikeout to end the rally. (video) Markham pitched 3 hitless innings and surrendered just 1 unearned run in his first start of the season for Guilford, and his team would reward him for his efforts in the top of the 4th.

Lucas Deshefy & Alex Vincent would begin the top of the 4th with back-to-back walks. With 1 out, Lucas Ametrano ripped a line drive down the left field line, past the Cross left-fielder at the fenceless ballpark. Deshefy & Vincent both scored easily and Ametrano raced around the bases for a 3-run, in-the-park homer to make it 5-1 Grizzlies. (video)

Up next was Sam Ametrano, who split the right-center gap with a line drive and it looked like Guilford would have back-to-back homers, but the ball skipped into the wooded area beyond the field and Ametrano was only awarded a ground rule double on the play. (video)

Ametrano would run into an out on a Carter Williams fielder's choice, and then Michael Buccaro blasted a deep shot over the Cross center-fielder's head for a 2-run, in-the-park homer scoring both he and Williams to make it 7-1 Guilford. (video) Then a Bryce Meder single, and a Colin Pompano walk lead to Lucas Deshefy launching an RBI, ground rule double that also entered the woods, preventing what may have been another Grizzly homer. (video) By the end of the inning, the Grizzlies had taken a 8-1 lead but it could have been worse for Cross.

Guilford scored their 9th & 10th runs in the top of the 5th, when Freshman, Finn Matlosz took his first Varsity at bat and sent a line drive past the Cross center-fielder for Guilford's 3rd in-the-park homerun of the game. The 2-run HR also scored Senior, Cole Morgan-Berry, who singled to reach base earlier in the inning. (video)

The tandem of Andrew Shosho (1.1 IP) and Adam Copeland (2.2 IP) finished the final 4 inninings on the mound for Guilford. Cross was able to plate 3 more unearned runs, but the Grizzlies finished up a comfortable win as both pitchers had 3 K's and 0 walks.

Guilford now stands at 6-2 on the season, and 1-2 in the SCC Oronoque division. Up next for Guilford is a divisional home game vs. Notre Dame-WH on Wed., 4/19 at GHS Field - a 4 pm. first pitch, before Foran HS of Milford comes to GHS Field on Friday 4/21, also a 4 pm. start.