Grizzlies Fall to Brookfield in CIAC Finals

Jun 11, 2023

The Guilford Grizzlies 18-game win streak unfortunately came to an end in the CIAC Class L Championship game, in a tough, 2-0 loss to the #5 ranked Brookfield Bobcats, at Palmer Field in Middletown on Sat. night. Brookfield starting pitcher Tanner Wall, and closer Casey Katz, combined to shutout the Grizzlies while the Bobcats were able to scratch a few runs across in the top of the 6th for the win.

Guilford's All-SCC and All State starting pitcher, Bryce Meder, put forth another great effort in the loss, allowing just 4 hits while holding Brookfield scoreless through the first 5 innings, and did not issue a single walk in the game. In the top of the 6th, three consecutive, one-out singles got Brookfield their first run of the game, before the Bobcats employed a safety-squeeze bunt to make it 2-0, while leaving the Grizzlies just 6 outs to try and mount a comeback.

Throughout the game Guilford had several chances to score, getting runners into scoring position in the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 7th innings, but could not get break through vs. Wall and Katz. The Grizzlies attempted one final push in the bottom of the 7th, when Colin Pompano and Jack Farrah began the inning by reaching base with the top of the Guilford order coming to bat. But Katz was able to strike out 3 of the next 4 batters he would face to secure the win, and Brookfield's first ever CIAC Championship.

5 Guilford players collected a hit in the loss, including 2 by Pompano, who reached base all 3 times he came to bat.

An 18-game win streak is an amazing feat for a team playing any level of baseball. Dating back to April 19th, the Grizzlies went on such a streak that included a SCC Playoff run and Championship, and a 4 game stretch in the State Tournament leading up to the Finals. Watching the team through each step of the postseason, one couldn't help but notice the amount of energy this team was spending, physically, mentally and emotionally, to keep the streak alive...to push it along just one more game. Guilford won their previous 2 games in the Quarterfinal & Semifinal rounds of the Tournament on just 4 hits and 3 runs combined in those games, but their pitching did not allow any runs to make up for the lack of offense. In the final 3 games of the State Tournament, they scored 3 runs and surrendered just 2, but it was not quite enough to bring home a championship.

Congratulations to the Brookfield Bobcats on their Championship run, and congratulations to the Guilford Grizzlies on a truly amazing season, one of the best in the Program's history. The team finished with a 24-4 record that included the win streak, and a SCC Championship. The team included 2, All-SCC First Team Players in Bryce Meder and Lucas Deshefy, and 3 All-SCC Second-Team Players in Andrew Shosho, Sam Ametrano & Lucas Ametrano. Both Deshefy & Meder also earned All-State honors, while Lucas Deshefy was also elected the SCC Player of the Year as a Sophomore.

Now that the 2023 season has come to an end, the team will graduate 6 seniors who were all huge contributors to the team's success. P/OF - Sam Ametrano, 2B - Jack Farrah, IF - Cole Morgan-Berry, P - Andrew Shosho, C - Alex Vincent, and OF/1B/DH - Carter Williams, will all be missed and hard to replace in 2024. We wish them the best of luck in the future, and thank them for all the memories they brought to the Guilford faithful during their GHS careers.

In 2024, the Grizzlies will hope to return 7, 2023 Varsity starters in rising Juniors: Michael Buccaro, Bryce Meder, Colin Pompano and Joe Tafro, as well as rising Sophomores: Lucas Ametrano and Lucas Deshefy. They should also look forward to returning key 2023 contributors: Adam Copeland, Matt DiNardo, Finn Matlosz, Victor Morris, Brandon Rosa and Alex Tafro, as Guilford will try and achieve their 3rd consecutive winning season, and SCC Playoff appearance.

Finally, we wish to thank Lauren Ametrano and Eileen Buccaro for their photography contributions to this website throughout the 2023 season, there's just no way we could have chronicled this amazing run without their hard work behind the lens! And to all of the generous sponsors who have supported the team this year and last - you are a huge part of the growth of GHS Baseball and share in the success of the Program. Thank you for your contributions, have a great Summer, and we hope to see you all next season!