Guilford is SCC #1 Seed After Win vs. E Haven

May 16, 2023

The Guilford Grizzlies finished their 2023 regular season schedule with an 11-game win streak, on their way to a 17-3 record (13-3 SCC), the program's best since 2008, and earned the top seed in the upcoming SCC Tournament with their 5-3 win over East Haven on Monday. The 17-win season has also earned them at least the #3 seed in the CIAC, Class L, State Tournament that will begin on Tue., May 30th.

BREAKING NEWS 5/16 pm: The GametimeCT Top 10 Weekly Baseball Poll has finally ranked Guilford in their list, and the Grizzlies have jumped all the way up to No. 4. Click here to read more.

Andrew Shosho took the mound as the Guilford starter, and wasted no time retiring the Yellowjackets 1-2-3 on 5 pitches in the top of the 1st. In the bottom of the 1st, the Grizzlies gave him an early 3-0 lead to work with. Leadoff batter, Sam Ametrano, walked and Lucas Deshefy continued his outstanding Sophomore year by doubling into the right-center gap, scoring Ametrano for a 1-0 lead. Michael Buccaro drew a walk and with 2 men on base, Carter Williams doubled over the East Haven left-fielder's head to score both Deshefy & Buccaro for the Grizzlies 2nd & 3rd runs of the inning.

Shosho would allow just 1 East Haven baserunner through the next 2 innings, and in the bottom of the 3rd, a Bryce Meder 2-run homer to left gave Guilford a 5-0 cushion heading into the 4th.

Shosho would work 5 innings in the game to earn his team-leading, 5th win of the year, before giving way to Sam Ametrano in the top of the 6th, who would come on to get the final 6 outs without surrendering a hit or a run, to earn the save.

The Grizzlies will now have a week to prepare for the SCC Tournament which will begin with a home game vs. Sheehan HS of Wallingford next Mon., May 22nd at 4 pm. The opening round of 8 teams will take place on 5/22, with the winners of Monday's games advancing to the semifinals, which will be played on Tue. 5/23. If Guilford can get by their 1st round opponent, they would host a semifinal game at GHS on 5/23. The SCC Finals will take place on Thu., 5/25, at West Haven High School's Whitey Piurek Field.

FINAL SCC seedings:

1. Guilford   SCC: 13-3  |  Overall: 17-3
2. Notre Dame-WH   SCC: 12-4  |  Overall: 14-6
3. Fairfield Prep   SCC: 12-4  |  Overall: 14-6
4. Xavier   SCC: 11-5  |  Overall: 15-5
5. Hamden   SCC: 11-5  |  Overall: 14-6
6. Amity   SCC: 11-5  |  Overall: 13-7
7. Lyman Hall   SCC: 10-6  |  Overall: 12-8
8. Sheehan   SCC: 9-7  |  Overall: 10-9

After the SCC Tournament, Guilford will be off to the CIAC, Class L State Tournament, that will begin for them on Tue., May 30th at GHS field. As the (minimum) #3 Seed (of 32 teams), the Grizzlies would be eligible to host home games through the first 3 rounds of the CIAC Tourney should they make it that far.

While there is much left to accomplish, the team and the GHS coaching staff can take pride in knowing they have put together Guilford's best regular season in a decade and a half, as they prepare for the post season.