Grizzlies Walk It Off vs. Xavier

Apr 10, 2024

Mike Buccaro's bases-loaded single in the bottom of the 7th gave Guilford a 4-3, walkoff win over the Xavier Falcons on Wed. afternoon at GHS Field. Earlier in the game, Finn Matlosz launched a 2-run homer, and in his 2nd start of the year, Bryce Meder pitched 6-1/3 innings allowing just 1 earned run with 6 K's.

For the first 4-1/2 innings, neither team could score as Meder scattered 4 Falcon hits with 4 strikeouts through his first 5 innings of work, but was matched by Xavier's Mike Pretash, who only allowed 3 Grizzly hits and struck out 5 through his first 4 innings of work.

In the bottom of the 5th the Grizzlies finally broke the ice when Guilford sophomore, Finn Matlosz, stepped to the plate with a runner on 2nd and drove a 3-2 pitch over the right field fence, giving Guilford a 2-0 lead. (video)

Xavier answered in the top of the 6th on Kyle L'Etoile's RBI single that made it 2-1, Guilford.

In the bottom of the 6th, GHS Senior, Joe Tafro, drew a bases-loaded walk that made it 3-1, Grizzlies, heading into the final frame.

In the top of the 7th, after Meder got the first Falcon batter on a strikeout, a Clark Beattie single followed by a Grizzly error and a walk, loaded the bases for the Falcons with 1 out. A few batters later Xavier tied the game at 3. Adam Copeland then came in to pitch in relief for Guilford, and on one pitch, got a Xavier batter to line into an unassisted double-play to GHS 3rd baseman, Colin Pompano, who after catching the liner, dove for the 3B bag and beat the Xavier runner who was attempting to get back in time.

With the game tied in the bottom of the 7th, Matlosz lead off with a walk and was doubled over to 3rd by Lucas Ametrano. The Falcons then elected to intentionally walk Lucas Deshefy to load the bases and set up a force at home. This brought Buccaro to the plate, who knocked the first pitch he saw past the Xavier 2nd-baseman, scoring Matlosz for the win. (video)

While Meder did the bulk of the work on the mound, going 6-1/3 innings, allowing just 1 earned run on 6 hits with 6 strikeouts, it was Copeland who earned a 1-pitch win by ending the Xavier rally in the 7th, before his team would end the game a few minutes later.

The win has the Grizzlies at 3-1 to start the year, with a matchup vs. Jonathan Law HS (Milford) up next, scheduled for this Fri. (4/12) afternoon - a 4 pm. first pitch at GHS Field. Then it will be the Amity Spartans who will visit Guilford High on Mon., 4/15 at 4 pm.