Streak at 9 as Grizzlies Top Notre Dame - WH

May 10, 2023

The Guilford Varsity Baseball win streak now stands at 9 games after they defeated the Notre Dame - WH Green Knights, who were the last team to beat the Grizzlies back on April, 19th. The win over ND (No. 6 in the latest edition of the GameTimeCT, Top 10 Baseball Poll) now has Guilford ranked 1st in the SCC tournament seedings with 2 games left in their regular-season schedule.

The game was essentially a battle for the top spot in the SCC, and both teams came out of the gates looking to take an early lead and put some pressure on their opponent. In the top of the 1st, Guilford's first 3 batters loaded the bases and scored on a Michael Buccaro sac fly and a Carter Williams 2-RBI single that gave them an early 3-0 lead. However, the Green Knights answered back by taking a 4-3 lead after their first turn at bat, highlighted by Will Panza's 2-out, 2-RBI triple.

With 7 runs on the board after just 1 inning, the game appeared as if it was going to be a high-scoring affair with both teams trying to pound each other into submission. But as the game moved into the 2nd inning, both coaches replaced their starters and the game settled into a pitchers duel between Guilford's Andrew Shosho and ND's Jesse Buonocore.

Facing formidable lineups, for the next 3 innings, neither pitcher would surrender a run, while they both benefited from some nice defensive plays.

In the top of the 5th, Guilford finally broke through vs. Buonocore when Sam Ametrano lead off with a walk and Lucas Deshefy continued his monster season by short-hopping a double off the left-center field fence, scoring Ametrano from 1st to tie the game at 4. Buonocore would get the next 2 Grizzly batters but a clutch, 2-out, RBI single by Bryce Meder scored Deshefy to give Guilford a 5-4 lead in the middle of the 5th.

Shosho would retire the Green Knights, 1-2-3 in the bottom of the 5th, and Guilford failed to score in the top of the 6th, clinging to their 1-run lead with 6 outs to get for the win.

In the bottom of the 6th, Panza lead off with a hard single to center, looking to spark a ND rally, but was erased when the Grizzlies turned a 6-4-3 double play on the next batter. Shosho would get the last out of the inning to finish up his outstanding work against one of the state's toughest lineups. The "Big Sho" scattered 4 hits over 5 shutout innings to earn his 4th win of the year, in an undeniably huge spot for his team.

In the top of the 7th, Guilford added a few insurance runs when Buccaro and Williams singled and a ND error off the bat of Alex Vincent gave the Grizzlies some breathing room, as they took a 7-4 lead into the final frame.

Bryce Meder came on to pitch the bottom of the 7th for Guilford, and would face the top of the Green Knights' order while trying to earn the save. Meder struck out all three batters and the Grizzlies celebrated a win that should earn them some well deserved respect among the CT High School Baseball Community.

Carter Williams went 3 for 4 with 2 RBI and a run scored to lead the Guilford offense. Bryce Meder went 2 for 4 with a RBI and earned a save on the mound, while Lucas Deshefy went 1 for 2 with a 2B, RBI and 2 runs scored. Be sure to hit the "Video" tab at the top for some highlights.

Andrew Shosho tossed 5 scoreless innings for the win, and while it doesn't show up in the stats, Guilford played some great defense throughout the game. Especially Jack Farrah who had a diving stop on a groundout and turned the Grizzlies' huge double play in the bottom of the 6th.

Up next for 15-3 Guilford is a trip to Foran HS in Milford this Friday (5/12) for a 3:45 pm. start against the Lions, before they play their final regular season game on Monday - at home vs. East Haven (4 pm.). While it will not be easy, and they would need some help, winning out could secure the the top spot in the SCC Tournament for Guilford, which will begin on Mon., 5/22.

SCC TOURNAMENT SEEDINGS AS OF 5/12:

1. Guilford   SCC: 11-3  |  Overall: 15-3
2. Notre Dame-WH   SCC: 10-3  |  Overall: 11-4
3. Fairfield Prep   SCC: 11-4  |  Overall: 12-5

Note: A huge thank you to Lauren Ametrano who's outstanding photography has been featured on this website throughout the year.