Photos John Vanacore
Remember a couple years ago when football programs from the SCC and FCIAC lined up on week one against one another and how fun that was?
Well, that excitement is coming to the diamond for an SCC-FCIAC Challenge: baseball edition.
This Friday and Saturday, 16 games will be played between members of the Southern Connecticut Conference and the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference pitting arguably the two deepest baseball conferences in the state against one another for — if not bragging rights — a discussion as to which region of Connecticut boasts the best baseball programs. …For 2016 anyway.
Here we have put together a series of quick game-by-game previews getting you ready for the weekend.
That is, if the weather cooperates (At this point, it’s not looking great, at least for the afternon games).
Friday
Hamden’s Avery Shugrue (Photo Dave Phillips)
Hamden at Fairfield Ludlowe, 4 p.m. (Kiwanis Field) — Hamden is looking to right the ship in 2016 after some recent struggles. The Falcons lost a lot to graduation last year, which gives plenty of opportunities to new guys. Eddie Magi on the mound, C.J. Hanrahan in the middle of the lineup and Sean Gutierrez at shortstop will be keys for Ludlowe.
Saturday
Greenwich at Xavier, 11 a.m. (Rich Magner Field, Xavier High School) — Greenwich is returning a load of players from last year and if they can put together a few good wins could be right in the thick of the FCIAC title hunt. Xavier coach Nick Cerreta is worried about his team’s lack of experience in 2016 after a large graduation, but some younger players have shown promise. Shortstop Jake Alonzo will be staying home and playing at Wesleyan next year.
Cheshire at Wilton, 11 a.m. (Wilton High School) — Wilton is the defending FCIAC champions and are strong once again after filling some open spots. Cheshire is looking to improve on defense and use pitching depth to compete in the hyper-competitive SCC.
Ridgefield at North Haven, 11 a.m. (DeMayo Ball-field) — North Haven and coach Bob DeMayo are the reigning Class L state champions and boast a strong senior class this season. Ridgefield is looking to make noise in the FCIAC this year led by AJ Fabbri.
Brien McMahon at Branford, 11 a.m. (James L. MacVeigh Athletic Complex) — Branford has a new coach this year in Steve Malafronte who looks to get the Hornets back on track. McMahon already has a win over No. 7 Norwalk, but does that mean the Senators are an FCIAC sleeper?
Fairfield Warde’s Reece Maniscalco. Photo by Catherine Avalone/Register
Guilford at Fairfield Warde, 11 a.m. (Fairfield Warde High School) — The Mustangs received a bunch of preseason votes in the GameTimeCT/Register Top-10 poll. Guilford won 10 games last year, but hasn’t won a state tournament game since 2013.
Wilbur Cross at Bridgeport Central, 11 a.m. (Central High School) — Omar Diaz — the Governors’ shortstop — was All-State honorable mention last season. Bridgeport Central is replacing eight seniors from the 2015 team and just wants to come together as a unit in 2016.
Stamford at Foran, 12 p.m. (Ken Walker Field) — The Black Knights return just three from last season, but that trio — SS/P Jay DeVito, 2B Mark Serricchio and CF Nick Frattaroli — all reside up the middle to build a strong core. The Lions lost a ton to graduation, but has enough experience to get back to the postseason. Ace T.J. Stuart (Manhattan) pitched on Wednesday.
Jonathan Law at Westhill, 12 p.m. (Westhill Baseball Field) — The Vikings return three-quarters of its infield, including fourth year starting shortstop Johnny Spoto. They also have pitching experience which is always a must. Law played great defense in its season opener vs. Branford.
Trinity Catholic at Career Magnet, 12 p.m. (West Rock Park) — Trinity Catholic graduated 15 seniors in 2015 leaving a lot of holes, but returns pitcher John Hazzard who saw considerable innings last year. Career graduated ace Will Jackson (LIU-Brooklyn) from its Class S semifinal team.
Danbury at West Haven, 12 p.m. (Whitey Piurek Field) — Danbury returns a solid infield and is confident as the season gets started.
Graduated Amity infielder Kyle Mattei doubles up Staples’ Nate Panzer during last year’s Class LL state championship game. Amity and Staples will highlight the SCC-FCIAC challenge on Saturday.
Amity at Staples, 2 p.m. (Staples High School) — The highlight of the weekend. A Class LL championship game rematch between two schools that return loads of Division I talent. Amity has a trio of Chris Winkel, Eli Oliphant and Brian Ronai. Staples has Ben Casparius, Nate Panzer and Noah Yokoi. Both teams are serious Class LL contenders once again.
Oh, and they are Nos. 1 and 2 in the preseason poll as well.
New Canaan at Sheehan, 3:30 p.m. (Sheehan HS Riccitelli Field) — Sheehan — the reigning Class M champions — lost its top tier pitching from 2015, but returns Sal and Paul Gozzo to a formidable lineup. New Canaan is replacing a large graduating class, but has back all-FCIACers Robbie Jones and Matt Burger.
Daniel Hand at Darien, 3:30 p.m. (Darien High School) — Hand’s hot corner is filled with one of the biggest bats in the SCC — Ray Miklos. The Blue Wave are one of five teams in the state to have played two games already — and have two wins.
Fairfield Prep at Norwalk, 5 p.m. (Harbor Yard, Bridgeport) — Game one of the Harbord Yard double-dip features traditional power Fairfield Prep vs. No. 7 Norwalk. The Jesuits ace Grant Stone pitched Wednesday, so it’s not likely he will see the mound, but Norwalk’s No. 1 starter Mike Gonzalez could go. Fairfield Prep is replacing six starters from last year’s squad.
Shelton at Trumbull, 7:30 p.m. (Harbor Yard, Bridgeport) — Shelton is still trying to fill the shoes left by ace Mike Cowell, but Trey McLoughlin could be the guy. And he’s just a junior. Trumbull has a guy in Joe Nemchek, but he beat Fairfield Prep on Wednesday. It may not matter who pitches for the Eagles, they put up eight runs vs. Stone.
(H/T Shawn Sailer, Greg Lederer, Ray Curren and Jimmy Zanor for providing information)
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