Grizzlies Bounce Back with 7-5 Win at Amity

May 8, 2024

After a rough outing 24 hours prior, the Guilford Grizzlies traveled to Amity Regional HS in Woodbridge and defeated one of the SCC's top teams, earning a 7-5 victory over the Spartans.

Both teams came out swinging in the first 2 innings, scoring 5 runs apiece as the game was knotted-up heading into the 3rd. Guilford scored 3 in the top of the 1st on an Adam Copeland bases-loaded double, but Amity answered back in the bottom half on a Tim Cap 3-run homer.

In the top of the 2nd, the Grizzlies added 2 more on RBI singles by captains Bryce Meder and Michael Buccaro that gave them a 5-3 lead. But again, the Spartans responded with 2 runs in their 2nd turn at bat on RBI doubles by Jack Windsor and Cap.

Although it would have been hard to imagine at the time, in the top of the 3rd, Guilford finally took the lead for good. Matt DiNardo delivered a 2-out single, then moved to over to 3rd and scored on a couple of Amity infield errors, giving the Grizzlies a 6-5 lead they would not relinquish. This was due in large part to the efforts of Guilford Freshman, Cade Rinehart, who came on to pitch in relief in the bottom of the 3rd.

After scoring 5 runs on 7 hits through the first 2 innings, Rinehart shut down the Spartans over the next 3 innings, holding them to 0 runs on 3 scattered singles, and 2 big strikeouts to end the 4th & 5th with runners in scoring position. His 3 innings of work earned him a win on the mound, and allowed Guilford to add to their slim lead while bridging the gap to Meder, who would come in to close the game in the 6th.

In the top of the 6th, Lucas Deshefy popped a double on the right-field line and Colin Pompano singled to score Deshefy, adding an insurance run for a 7-5, Guilford lead.

Meder took the mound in the bottom of the 6th, and pitched 2, no-hit, no-run innings, striking out 3 Amity batters to earn the save as the Grizzlies won their 11th game of the year.

With 4 more games left in the regular season, Guilford now stands at 11-5 on the year, 8-4 in SCC games, and 3-1 in the Quinnipiac Division with 2 important division games upcoming vs. West Haven and Cheshire. The game vs. West Haven is this Sat., 5/11, 12 noon start at West Haven High School's Whitey Piurek Field. That will be followed by a trip to Fairfield Prep on Mon., 5/13, before their home game vs. Cheshire, which is also GHS Senior Day, on Wed., 5/15 - 4 pm. first pitch at GHS Field.