HOME PAGE FAIRFIELD COUNTY INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC CONFERENCE Welcome to www.fciac.org
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SATURDAY, JUNE 21 2003
ALL FCIAC TEAMS POSTED ON HOME PAGES:
BASEBALL, GIRLS SOFTBALL, BOYS LACROSSE
COACHES CORNER OFFICIALS PAGE Q & A WITH FORMER FCIAC GREATS 2002 WINTER SPORTS FCIAC DIRECTORY 2003 SPRING SPORTS 2003 SPRING STATE TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE Features: Q&A: JARED ASHE: STAMFORD HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL SENIOR- 2003 COACHES CORNER: TRINITY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL HEAD GIRLS BASKETBALLL COACH: TOM KRIZ SPRING SPORTS: NATE MITTAG FAIRFIELD HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL ALBIE SIMEONE WESTHILL HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL |
trinity, staples, GREENWICH AND MCMAHON eliminated from state tournAment play. BY RON JONES FCIAC.ORG IT WAS A DARK FOR THE FCIAC AS FOUR REPRESENTATIVES WERE ELIMINATED FROM STATE TOURNEY PLAY YESTERDAY. IN BASEBALL, TRINITY CATHOLIC WAS SHUT OUT BY IMMACULATE OF DANBURY IN CLASS S, 7-0. CRUSADERS ACE JIMMY O'LEARY ONLY LASTED 1 2/3 INNINGS, HIS SHORTEST OUTING OF THE SEASON. IMMACULATE'S PAT NALLEY BAFFLED TRINITY WITH A VARIETY OF OFF SPEED PITCHES TO EARN THE VICTORY. THE CRUSADERS DIDN'T HELP THEMSELVES DEFENSIVELY, COMMITTING TWO ERRORS AND ALLOWING SIX UNEARNED RUNS. BOYS BASEBALL CLASS L QUARTERFINALS: SEYMOUR 5 STAPLES 3 WP- E.KURDY (4-3) LP- J.BAUMANN (5-2) CLASS LL QUARTERFINALS: FITCH 3 GREENWICH 2 WP- C.BARBER (9-0) LP- P.SALVATORE (3-1) GIRLS SOFTBALL QUARTERFINALS: LAURALTON HALL 7 McMAHON 0 WP- K.OVITTORE (7-0) LP- M.BARATE (15-7) state tournament play resumes despite rainy conditions BY RON JONES FCIAC.ORG AS A RESULT OF THE ALMOST DAILY RAINFALL, ALL STATE TOURNAMENT GAMES HAVE BEEN PUSHED BACK TO TODAY. IN BASEBALL, TRINITY CATHOLIC, RANKED #12 IN CLASS S, WILL BATTLE 13TH SEEDED IMMACULATE AT TRUMBULL HIGH SCHOOL. GAME TIME IS 3:30. SENIOR RIGHTY JIMMY O'LEARY IS EXPECTED TO GET THE NOD FOR THE CRUSADERS. STAPLES, RANKED #2 IN CLASS L, WILL FACE 7TH SEEDED SEYMOUR AT 7 PM ALSO AT TRUMBULL HIGH. THE WRECKERS ARE EXPECTED TO SEND ACE CHRIS WINKLER TO THE HILL. THREE OF THE FOUR REMAINING FCIAC SOFTBALL TEAMS WILL BE IN ACTION TODAY AS IN CLASS LL, 7 TH SEEDED STAMFORD WILL FACE SECOND RANKED AND UNDEFEATED AMITY AT DELUCA FIELD IN STRATFORD. BLACK KNIGHT ACE KATIE PENSIERO WILL ATTEMPT TO LEAD HER TEAM INTO THE SEMIFINALS. GREENWICH HAS ALREADY ADVANCED INTO THE CLASS LL SEMIFINALS, DEFEATING ROCKVILLE 6-4 ON THURSDAY. THEY AWAIT THE WINNER OF MONDAY'S SOUTHINGTON/ BRISTOL CENTRAL CONTEST. IN CLASS L ACTION, 7TH SEEDED BRIEN MCMAHON WILL TRY TO RIDE THE POWERFUL RIGHT ARM OF MELISSA BARATE PAST #2 LAURLATON HALL. THE CONTEST IS SET FOR A 4 PM START ALSO AT DELUCA. #25 DARIEN, PERHAPS THE BIGGEST SURPRIZE OF THE REMAINING SEEDS, TAKES ON TOP RANKED GRISWOLD IN CLASS M ACTION AT WEST HAVEN HIGH SCHOOL. GAME TIME IS SET FOR 4 O'CLOCK. (RESULTS FROM LAST WEEK'S STATE TOURNAMENT GAMES ARE ON THE INDIVIDUAL SPORT PAGES) "LITTLE UNIT" COMES UP BIG AS DANBURY WINS THEIR FIRST FCIAC BASEBALL TITLE over trumbull 5-3 WP- MIKE TARSI (8-1) LP- BRIAN TVARDZIK (4-4) MVP- TARSI results from thursday 5/29 girls softball CHAMPIONSHIP: NORWALK 2 STAMFORD 1 WP- COLLEEN PERRY (16-6) LP- KATIE PENSIERO (10-4) MVP- C.PERRY (NORWALK) BOYS BASEBALL SEMIFINALS: DANBURY 4 STAPLES 3 WP- J.TATARZYCKI (2-1) LP- J.BAUMANN (5-1) TRUMBULL 5 FAIRFIELD 4 WP- A.MAYER (5-2) LP- N.MITTAG (5-1) BOYS BASEBALL FINALS: (FRI 5/30- 7 PM) #4 TRUMBULL (16-6) VS. #3 DANBURY (15-7) @ HARBOR YARD FCIAC TRIALS: BOYS TRACK 1)DANBURY (143), 2)STAPLES (92), 3)STAMFORD (58), 4)WILTON (48), 5)GREENWICH (44) FCIAC QUARTERFINALS: BOYS TENNIS GREENWICH 7 WESTHILL 0 FCIAC FINALS: GIRLS LACROSSE GREENWICH 19 WILTON 3 MVP- RACHEL SANFORD (GREENWICH) FCIAC FINALS: GIRLS TENNIS FAIRFIELD 5 NEW CANAAN 2 FCIAC FINALS: GIRLS GOLF 1)FAIRFIELD (189), 2)RIDGEFIELD (192), 3)NEW CANAAN (199), 4)DANBURY (205), 5)TRUMBULL (207) FCIAC CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW ON SOFTBALL HOME PAGE. FCIAC SOFTBALL SEMIFINALS RESULTS from wed 5/28: STAMFORD 6 DANBURY 5 WP- K.COGNETTA (9-1) LP- M.SPENCER (14-8) NOTES: THE BLACK KNIGHTS RALLIED FOR THREE RUNS IN THE SEVENTH INNING TO ADVANCE TO TONIGHT'S CHAMPIONSHIP GAME AGAINST NORWALK. MISSY GIORDANO'S TWO RUN SINGLE OFF DANBURY'S ACE MYA SPENCER TIED IT AT FIVE. JESSICA DUDA'S SACRIFICE FLY BROUGHT IN JESSICA TROY WITH THE WINNING RUN. KRISTEN COGNETTA (9-1) EARNED THE VICTORY IN RELIEF OF STARTER KATIE PENSIERO. SPENSER WAS SPECTACULAR, ALLOWING JUST ONE HIT OVER THE FIRST FIVE INNINGS BEFORE TIRING IN THE SEVENTH. NORWALK 10 WESTHILL 3 WP- C.PERRY (15-6) LP- J.BERNARDO (14-4) NOTES: THE BEARS SLUMBERING BATS AWOKE AT THE PERFECT TIME AS THEY BATTERED WESTHILL STARTER JEN BERNARDO FOR 12 HITS EN ROUTE TO THE VICTORY. A FIVE RUN EXPLOSION IN THE SECOND INNING PROVED TO BE MORE THAN ENOUGH FOR NORWALK ACE COLLEEN PERRY. PERRY, NORWALK'S ALL TIME WINS LEADER WILL GET A CHANCE TO AVENGE A 2-1 LOSS TO STAMFORD LAST WEEK. MADISON ALVEREZ WAS THE HITTING STAR FOR THE BEARS GOING 4-4 WITH TWO RBI'S. ALVEREZ ALSO HAD TWO HITS IN THE 2-0 QUARTERFINAL WIN OVER STAPLES. FCIAC BASEBALL PLAYOFF RESULTS
from tues 5/27:
FAIRFIELD 11 WESTHILL 3
WP- A.JENKS (5-1) LP- A.FUSARO (7-3)
NOTES: NO SUCH MAGIC THIS TIME FOR THE UPSET
MINDED VIKINGS AS FAIRFIELD BASHED THREE HOME
RUNS EN ROUTE TO THE LOPSIDED VICTORY. CHRIS
FOURNIER, CHRIS PALMER AND JOE ERCOLANO ALL
WENT DEEP FOR THE TOP RANKED MUSTANGS WHILE
ANDY JENKS SCATTERED SIX HITS FOR HIS FIFTH WIN
OF THE YEAR. SENIOR ANGELO FUSARO TOOK THE
LOSS DROPPING HIS RECORD TO (7-3). FUSARO ALSO
HIT A HOMER FOR THE VIKINGS, WHO NOW AWAIT THE
STATE TOURNAMENT.
DANBURY 4 NORWALK 1 WP- M.TARSI (7-1) LP- M.WYNER (6-2) NOTES: LEAD BY BACK TO BACK HOMERS BY RANDY RE AND MELVIN CASTILLO, DANBURY DEFEATED DEFENDING FCIAC CHAMP NORWALK 4-1. LEFTY MIKE TARSI WAS ONCE AGAIN OUTSTANDING FOR THE HATTERS, STRIKING OUT EIGHT IN A COMPLETE GAME PERFORMANCE. TARSI GOT OUT OF A BASES LOADED, NO OUT JAM IN THE FOURTH INNING BY STRIKING OUT THE SIDE AFTER A PASSED BALL PLATED THE BEARS ONLY RUN. JUNIOR MARK WYNER TOOK THE LOSS FOR NORWALK, DROPPING TO (6-2). STAPLES 2 TRINITY CATHOLIC 1 WP- C.WINKLER (5-2) LP- J.O'LEARY (3-2) NOTES: BOTH PITCHERS ALLOWED JUST THREE HITS BUT, STAPLES SHORTSTOP JORDAN LERT, WHO WILL ATTEND FORDHAM UNIVERSITY NEXT FALL, HIT A TWO RUN HOMER TO SEAL THE DEAL FOR THE SECOND SEEDED WRECKERS IN THIS PITCHERS DUEL. CHRIS WINKLER IMPROVES HIS RECORD TO 5-2 WITH THE WIN. JIMMY O'LEARY SUFFERED HIS FIRST LOSS IN FOUR STARTS AFTER COMING BACK FROM A STRESS FRACTURE IN HIS FOOT. TRUMBULL 12 GREENWICH 2 WP- T.ASHLEY (4-0) LP- E.LOH (5-1) NOTES: THE GOLDEN EAGLES OFFENSE PROVED TO BE TOO MUCH FOR THE SHELL SHOCKED CARDS AS TRUMBULL ADVANCES WITH THE 12-2 VICTORY. GEOFF MACK (3-3, 2 RBI'S) AND MIKE MALOZZI (3-4, 2 RUNS SCORED) LED THE CHARGE WHILE PITCHER TREY ASHLEY IMPROVED HIS RECORD TO 4-0. GREENWICH STARTER ERIC LOH WAS CHARGED WITH HIS FIRST LOSS OF THE YEAR AND IS NOW 5-1. SCHEDULE FOR THURS 5/29; FCIAC BASEBALL SEMIFINALS @ HARBOR YARD IN BRIDGEPORT #3 DANBURY (14-7) VS. #2 STAPLES (17-3) (5:15 PM) #4 TRUMBULL (15-6) VS. #1 FAIRFIELD (18-2) (7:30 PM) fciac softball playoff results STAMFORD 1 McMAHON 0 WP- K.PENSIERO (10-3) LP- M.BARATE (13-6) NOTES: PENSIERO PITCHED A NO HITTER FOR STAMFORD. NATALIE SAVONA'S RBI DOUBLE IN THE FIRST INNING WAS THE DIFFERENCE. NORWALK 2 STAPLES 0 (8 INNS) WP- C.PERRY (14-6) LP- K.NOWASKEY (14-4) NOTES: PERRY CONTINUED HER OUTSTANDING WORK ON THE MOUND BY FIRING HER FOURTH NO HITTER OF THE YEAR AND OUTDUELING KRISTEN NOWASKEY OF STAPLES. SCORELESS UNTIL THE EIGHTH INNING, KRISTIN CARBONARA'S RBI SINGLE SCORED MADISON PAVOLET AND KRISTI KAHLDEN WITH THE GAME WINNING RUNS. DANBURY 4 TRUMBULL 3 (9 INNS) WP- M.SPENCER (14-7) LP- J.KRAVECS (4-4) NOTES: SPENCER WAS THE DIFFERENCE AS HER RBI SINGLE IN THE NINTH INNING SCORED MEG MACHADO WITH THE GAME WINNER. SPENCER ALSO SCATTERED NINE HITS TO PICK UP THE WIN. WESTHILL 1 GREENWICH 0 WP- J.BERNARDO (14-3) LP- L.CARINO (8-3) NOTES: SOPHOMORE HANNAH NABLE'S RBI SINGLE PLATED CALLIE KOVACS WITH THE WINNING RUN. JEN BERNARDO ALLOWED JUST THREE HITS WHILE PITCHER LIZ CARINO WAS SPECTACULAR IN DEFEAT FOR GREENWICH. SCHEDULE FOR WED 5/28: GIRLS SOFTBALL SEMIFINALS @ WESTERN CONNECTICUT #8 DANBURY VS. #4 STAMFORD (5:15 PM) #6 NORWALK VS. #2 WESTHILL (7 PM) PLAYOFF FIELD SET IN FCIAC BASEBALL
BY RON JONES
FCIAC.ORG
When the dust settled and the rain cleared, the 2003
FCIAC playoff field was finalized with a couple of
legitimate contenders and plenty of darkhorses
attempting to walk away with the FCIAC championship
trophy.
Since losing their first league game to 1st round
opponent Westhill, defending Class LL champ Fairfield
has reeled off 17 consecutive wins. tying the record set
by the 1979 FCIAC champion Stamford high school.
Undefeated Nate Mittag (5-0) will attempt to put the
Mustangs into the record books, while senior Angelo
Fusaro (7-2) get the nod for the upset minded Vikings.
5th seeded Greenwich travels to Trumbull to take the
fourth ranked Golden Eagles. Greenwich has come on
in recent weeks and led by righty Eric Loh (5-0) are
capable of pulling off the upset. Trumbull is led by the
hitting and pitching of ace Andy Maher (4-2). This game
should be one of the most exciting ones both teams
are evenly matched. The Golden Eagles edged
Greenwich 8-7 early in the season but both teams have
improved since that early season battle.
The other bracket has 6th ranked Norwalk going on
the road to face Danbury, seeded third. Lefty Mike Parsi
(6-1) will attempt to shut down the high powered defending
champs. The Bears counter with dual threat Mark Wyner
(6-1). A couple of last season losses dropped Norwalk out
of contention for the top four spots but with Wyner and
talented lefty Ryan Gisolfi (3-2), they have the
capability to reclaim their FCIAC crown. Danbury edged
Norwalk 4-3 during the regular season on a walk off home
run by James Blanchette.
The final matchup pits #7 Trinity Catholic against 2nd
ranked Staples. Trinity is a team that has improved
during the season. Due to a toe injury to ace Jimmy
O'Leary (3-1), youngsters sophomore Kevin Ogden
and freshman Kevin Fico have had to develop quickly
and now give the Crusaders some depth on the hill.
Staples captured first place in the Central division
with a late rally and seem primed to do some damage
in the post-season. The Wreckers send Chris Winkler
(4-2) while O'Leary hopes to silence the potent Staples
bats. Staples defeated Trinity 10-7 during the regular
season.
Game times for all of Tuesday's games are 3:45 pm
at the home of the higher seeds. The semifinal and
championship games are scheduled for Bridgeport's
Harbor Yard on Thursday, May 27 and Saturday,
May 29.
DIVISION RACES STARTING TO
HEAT UP IN FCIAC BASEBALL
BY RON JONES
FCIAC.ORG
With less than two weeks remaining in the 2003 FCIAC
Baseball regular season, the only thing that's been
decided so far is that it's going to be a exciting finish
in the race for playoff berths and ultimately the league
championship.
Defending FCIAC champ Norwalk has put themselves
in position to recapture their title with a 7-2 record.
The Bears boast two of the top pitchers in the league
in Ryan Gisolfi and Matt Wyner. Gisofi, (3-1) this season,
no-hit Westhill last week and Wyner (4-1) struck out 17
in a dominating performance against Wilton in his last
start. Wyner also helped his team with the bat, collecting
six hits in the two wins.
Norwalk leads the Central division by a 1/2 game over
Staples. The Wreckers are lead by 6'7 pitcher-outfielder
John Baumann. Baumann, who led the FCIAC in scoring
this year in basketball, hopes to lead his team into the
playoffs.
Fairfield boasts the best record in the league at 9-1.
The Mustangs have a two game lead over Trumbull
in the West and hope that Chris Fourner, one the
leading hitters in the FCIAC, can lead them to the
promised land.
It's anybody's guess who will win the Eastern Division
as 1 1/2 games separate the top four teams. New
Canaan and Trinity are presently tied for first place at
6-4. The Crusaders are led by hard hitting shortstop
Tom Aldrich. However, the key for Trinity's divisional
title hopes lies in the continued development of their
young pitchers, sophomore Kevin Ogden (4-2) and
freshman Kevin Fico.
New Canaan has a number of potent bats in catcher
John Marinelli, Fred Lueders and Jeff Kinberg. Pitching
will be the key for the Rams and undefeated Chris
Hughey (3-0) will have to continue his stellar work on
the mound in order for his team to earn a playoff berth.
Darien (5-6) and St Joseph (4-5) are on the outside
looking in right now but, they are only a small winning
streak away from jumping back into the race.
With quite a few games having playoff implications
coming up in the next few weeks, the fight for the 2003
FCIAC title should prove to be one of the most exciting
battles in recent history.
STAMFORD vs. CENTRAL is more
than a football game for the Cobb family
BY RON JONES More than three decades ago, Stamford high assistant coach James Cobb was a star running back for the Black Knights football team. While he was racking up the yardage for Stamford, his two younger brothers Garry and Michael were watching and waiting for their opportunity to shine. After stellar careers at Stamford High, Garry went on to star at the University of Southern California and the NFL and Mike played football at Cornell and graduated from the prestigious Ivy League in three years, with a degree in Engineering. It's always been about more than just sports in the Cobb household, a value instilled in them by their parents Jesse and Catherine. However, academics were put on the back burner last Friday as two second generation Cobb football stars went at it for the family bragging rights. Stamford high edged Central 21-20 in a exciting game. James rushed for 116 yards and put the game away for the Black Knights with some nifty running on their final drive, lasting almost 7 minutes. Michael, who has scored 9 touchdowns in addition to rushing for over 1,000 yards for the Hilltoppers, found some openings en route to a 114 yard effort and a TD. The Stamford defense has solidified over the past month, holding Eastern Division champ New Canaan to just 14 points three weeks ago. Stamford improves their record to (3-5) in the Western division, while Central drops to (2-6) in the division. Both teams have identical (3-7) overall records. Both fathers enjoyed the game as James, a running backs coach at SHS, commented on the match up, " It's a new rivalry in the sense that Central has only been in the league for a short time. Both teams are at about the same stage, trying to improve each week. Of course, I was pulling for both of them to do well because they're family. I'm proud of them and their accomplishments not just in sports but academically also. I'm glad Stamford won the game." Michael, who was a All- County pick at cornerback for Stamford from 1975-77 said, " It's was nice our sons play against each other. It was an interesting game from that standpoint. We really want both boys to do well but for bragging rights, I wanted Central to win the game." Although the records of both teams were disappointing, for one night they let it all hang out as Stamford and Central were playing for something important pride. James II will able to brag about the victory during Thanksgiving dinner this year but the entire Cobb family will have a lot to be proud of in regards to James II and Michael II regardless of who won on Friday night.
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