Grizzlies Fall to Xavier in Extra Innings

May 4, 2024

Despite a 4-run rally in the top of the 7th that gave them a 4-3 lead, the Guilford Grizzlies would suffer their 4th loss of the year to the Xavier Falcons on Friday night at Middletown's Palmer Field.

Once again, Bryce Meder pitched a great game for the Grizzlies, going 7 full innings, allowing just 3 earned runs on 6 hits while striking out 9 Xavier batters, and was one strike away from earning his 3rd win of the year. He was matched by Xavier's Maddox Leite, who struck out 9 while holding Guilford scoreless through the first 6 innings.

In the bottom of the 2nd, Xavier took a 2-0 lead on a RBI single by Will Weber and a Colby Ciampi sac-fly. Then in the bottom of the 6th, the Falcon's added a 3rd run on a Guilford error, and it was 3-0, Xavier as the game headed into the 7th.

In the top of the 7th, Guilford put up 4 runs in what looked to be a dramatic, come-from-behind rally that would earn them their 11th win of the year. The inning began with Sr. Captain, Mike Buccaro, doubling to left-center and then being awarded 3rd base when obstruction was ruled on the Xavier 2nd-baseman. (video) Adam Copeland then stepped to the plate and grounded a RBI single to right, scoring Buccaro for Guilford's first run of the game. (video) A few batters later, Joe Tafro continued the rally when he dropped a single into right (video) and the Grizzlies had runners on 1st and 2nd with 1 out.

A few batters after Tafro's hit, and with the Grizzlies down to their final out, Lucas Ametrano lined a single to left that scored Copeland and cut Xavier's lead to 3-2. (video) Then with the tying and go ahead runs on base, Colin Pompano delivered a 2-RBI double to deep left, and after being shut out the entire game, Guilford suddenly had a 4-3 lead needing just 3 more outs for the win. (video)

In the bottom of the 7th, and down to their final strike, Xavier's Cael Loria stuck his bat out and popped a double into short right, and Clark Beattie would follow him with a RBI single that tied the game and sent it into extra innings. Unfortunately for Guilford, Xavier scratched out the game-winning run in the bottom of the 8th for a 5-4 win over the Grizzlies.

Guilford's next challenge will be on Mon., 5/6, when they take on Jonathan Law at GHS Field - gametime is 4 pm. Then they will try to avenge one of their 4 losses on the year next Wed., 5/8, when they travel to Amity HS in Woodbridge to battle the Spartans at 3:45 pm.