Guilford Gets 4-3 Win Over #2 Amity

May 18, 2022

In an intense matchup on Wednesday afternoon, the Guilford Grizzlies upset the CIAC Class LL, #2 ranked Amity Spartans, holding on for a 4-3 victory at Ralph Schipani Field. The Grizzlies' win over the SCC Housatonic Division leaders moved their overall record to 10-9, with 1 game left on their schedule.

Senior, Max Corbett made his 2nd start of the season for Guilford and held the Spartans scoreless through the first 4 innings. Corbett's solid outing had the Grizzlies holding a 3-0 lead when he eventually left the mound in the 5th. It was in the top of the 2nd inning when Guilford had 6 consecutive batters reach base to score all 3 of those runs.

With 1 out in the 2nd, Jack Farrah singled, Sam Ametrano walked, and Alex Vincent singled to load the bases for the Grizzlies. Senior, Tyler Zajkowski then knocked a RBI single to right, scoring Farrah from 3rd to give Guilford a 1-0 lead. (video) With the bases still loaded, Grizzlies leadoff hitter, Mike Buccaro drew a RBI walk that made it 2-0. Carter Williams followed Buccaro with a RBI single (video) that plated Vincent for the Grizzlies' 3rd run of the inning, and a 3-0 lead as the game moved into the 3rd.

In the top of the 3rd, Corbett got some help, from one of his Captains. After striking out the first Amity batter, 3 consecutive Spartans singled to load the bases with one out. The next Amity batter popped one into left center that looked like it might fall for a single, sure as all 3 baserunners took off, when Mike Torre came out of nowhere to make a spectacular diving catch. One of the SCC's best, defensive center-fielders then calmly tossed the ball into 3rd to double-off the baserunner, and end the inning.

Despite both teams threatening to score in the 4th, neither team could capitalize, and the game remained at 3-0 heading into the 5th. In the top of the 5th, after the first 2 Amity batters reached base, Grizzlies' Freshman, Lucas Deshefy, was called on to pitch in relief with his team trying to hold on to its 3-run lead. Deshefy retired the first batter he faced, but a Guilford error on the next Spartans' batter led to Amity's first run of the game. With 1 out and runners at the corners, Deshefy would get a strikeout before a 2-out, RBI single would cut Guilford's lead to 3-2. However, with the tying run at 2nd base, the Freshman would fight back and get his 2nd strikeout to end the inning with Guilford still in front.

In the bottom of the 5th, Guilford would add an all-important insurance run that ultimately sealed Amity's fate. With 2 outs, Grizzlies' catcher, Alex Vincent, singled to right and moved up to 2nd when Tyler Zajkowski was hit by a pitch. Michael Buccaro then poked a ground ball over the third base bag and down the line in left, that allowed Vincent to score the Grizzlies' 4th run of the game. (video)

Deshefy worked around a pair of 2-out, Amity baserunners in the top of the 6th, and despite having their first 2 batters reach base in the bottom of the inning, the Grizzlies could not score, sending the game into the 7th at 4-2, Guilford.

After suffering 5, one-run losses on the year, the tension was palpable among the Grizzlies' fans, as the team took the field in the top of the 7th. And the inning began inauspiciously when Amity's leadoff batter reached base on an error, and the next Spartan doubled to quickly cut the Grizzlies' lead to 4-3, with no outs and the tying run at 2nd base. But Deshefy would bear down and get the next Spartans' batter on a strikeout. The next Amity batter would bunt a ball right back to Deshefy, who got the 2nd out at 1st base while the potential, game-tying baserunner moved up to 3rd. With many Guilford fans holding their breath, on Deshefy's next pitch, he got the Amity batter to hit a ground ball to 2nd baseman, Jack Farrah. And when first-baseman, Aiden McBrierty secured Farrah's throw for the final out, the team celebrated the one run win over one of the best teams in the State.

Carter Williams, Mike Torre & Alex Vincent all had 2 hits each, with Williams adding a RBI and Vincent scoring 2 runs in the game. Mike Buccaro had a hit and 2 RBI, and Tyler Zajkowski had a hit & RBI as well.

Max Corbett pitched 4 innings, surrendered 1 earned run, 1 walk and had 4 strikeouts for the win, while Lucas Deshefy pitched 3 innings, with 1 walk, 4 strikeouts and allowed just 1 run for the save.

The win has the Grizzlies' back above .500 for the second time this year, and they will look to finish the regular season with a winning record, and a potential SCC Playoff Berth, when they take on Notre-Dame WH this Friday, 5/20. While the team awaits the announcement of their post-season schedule, the game on Fri. will be their final, regular-season home game, a 4 pm. start at GHS.