Grizzlies Headed to SCC Playoffs After Walkoff Win vs. ND-WH

May 20, 2022

The Guilford Grizzlies got an exciting, 2-1 win vs. Notre Dame - West Haven on Friday afternoon, that earned the team a SCC Playoff Berth, and finished their regular season with a winning record at 11-9. Bryce Meder pitched 6 innings allowing only 4 ND-WH baserunners to reach base, before Carter Williams' 2-out, RBI single in the bottom of the 7th gave Guilford the dramatic, walkoff win.

Meder would retire the first 11 batters he faced, before a Green Knight would finally reach base with 2 outs in the top of the 4th. In the top of the 5th, an ND-WH infield single, followed by a successful sacrifice bunt, put a runner on 2nd with 2 outs. A second infield single allowed the hustling ND-WH runner to score from 2nd on the throw to first base, that gave the Green Knight's their only run of the game.

Meanwhile, despite having multiple baserunners in each of the first 4 innings, Guilford could not push a run across. After Notre Dame scored their run in the top of the 5th, the Grizzlies would go down in order in both the bottom of the 5th & 6th innings.

Lucas Deshefy came on to relieve Meder in the top of the 7th, hoping to keep the score at 1-0 and give his team one final shot to tie or win the game. He successfully set the Green Knights down in order, and Guilford would have one final chance to move on to the SCC post-season. Raindrops had begun to fall, and although their was no thunder, lightning struck in the bottom of the 7th.

On the first pitch of the inning, Sam Ametrano lined a single to right-center, and on the 3rd pitch of the inning, Alex Vincent lined a single to center field. When Vincent's ball got by the ND-WH outfielder, Ametrano raced around 3rd and scored the tying run, while the error allowed Vincent to reach 2nd base as the potential game-winning run with 0 outs. (video) Guilford head coach, Nick Merullo, as he had done several times this year, sent Joe Tafro in to pinch run for Vincent. After the next 2 Grizzly batters could only move Tafro to 3rd, Guilford's top hitter on the season, Carter WIlliams, came to the plate with 2 outs and a chance to send his team into the playoffs. Williams did not disappoint, as he lined a single into right that allowed Tafro to easily score from 3rd base, shocking the Green Knights and emptying the Guilford dugout that mobbed him at first. (video)

Alex Vincent went 3 for 3 and Sam Ametrano went 2 for 2 in the game, with Ametrano scoring 1, very important run. Carter Williams went 2 for 4 with Guilford's biggest RBI of the year.

Bryce Meder was outstanding on the mound, allowing just 3 hits, 1 run and 1 walk while striking out 6 Green Knights in his 6 innings of work. Lucas Deshefy pitched a 1-2-3, scoreless 7th inning and earned the win.

The win over Notre Dame - WH eliminated them from the SCC Playoffs, and gave the Grizzlies a date with Fairfield Prep on Monday, May 23rd, in the SCC opening round. The game will be at Fairfield University's Alumni Field - 4:00 pm. start time. Guilford will also play in the CIAC State Tournament, beginning Tue, May 31st. The win was also the team's 5th consecutive victory to end their regular season schedule, improving their record from 6-9 to 11-9, and sending them into the post season on a roll.