Slugfest in New Fairfield

Yesterday’s SWC contest between New Fairfield and Bethel turned out to be one of the more exciting games played by the New Fairfield baseball team so far this season. Unfortunately for the Rebels however, they did not come out on top. Sam Telhiard of Bethel delivered the game winning RBI with a single in the top of the 7th to give Bethel a 13-12 victory, their 16th of the season. The Rebels dropped to 9 and 11 on the year with the loss.

Bethel began the scoring in the top of the first. Catcher PJ Rinaldi singled off starting pitcher Joe Petrone, scoring Jesse Frawley to put Bethel on top 1-0. The Rebels responded in the bottom of the inning with a 2-run double by captain Anthony Muratore, followed by a deep two run home run to left-center by captain Frank Guardi. Bethel struck back with 5 runs in the third, highlighted by a two run home run by designated hitter Joe Carillo and a 2 RBI double by Rinaldi. The Rebels then answered with four runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. Tyler Hooper capitalized on two Bethel errors and smacked a two run single to right. The Rebels scored three more runs in the bottom of the fourth to put themselves up 11-6. In the top of the 5th, Bethel had 5 hits, including 2 doubles, and scored four runs to cut the lead to 11-10. PJ Rinaldi picked up his 4thth RBI of the game with an RBI single in the inning. Matt McCandless’s RBI single in the 6th inning pushed the Rebels lead to 12-10, setting the stage for a dramatic 7th. After Steve Maruzzela popped out to Rebel shortstop Jake Patten, New Fairfield pitcher PJ Jamison issued a walk to Andy Guerico. Jamison then struck out leadoff hitter John Sorice, but sophomore catcher Joe Roberti dropped the third strike. Normally in this situation the catcher would throw the ball to first for the sure out, but Roberti hesitated, then threw the ball down to second to make a play on the lead runner Guerico, who had rounded the base. The throw was high, and Guerico took off for third, where he slid in safely. So rather than having a runner on second with two outs, Bethel had runners on the corners with one out. Jamison hit the next batter and loaded the bases, bringing up Rinaldi. Rinaldi hit a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Guerico and cutting the lead to 12-11. New Fairfield then brought in Frank Guardi to pitch to John Simonelli, who had been 0-4. Simonelli singled between the shortstop and third basemen, scoring Sorice and tying the score at 12. The next batter was Telhiard, who singled to right to put Bethel up 13-12. Grant Smith popped up to first base to end the inning. The Rebels had a chance in the bottom of the 7th, with Joey Silva, Muratore, and Guardi due to bat, but the middle of the Rebel order was retired 1-2-3, and game ended 13-12.

Although Bethel had locked up the number one seed in the SWC playoffs and the Rebels had already been eliminated from those same playoffs, both teams showed their heart and put on a show for the crowd. Bethel will continue play in the SWC playoffs next week, while the Rebels will have the week off and await the CIAC State Playoffs.