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05/27/2018 12:00 AMThe Guilford baseball team didn’t come away with an SCC title this spring, but they still put together a solid regular season that featured a strong finish. Now, the Indians look forward to making some noise in the Class L State Tournament.
The Indians had a busy last week of the regular season leading into the SCC Tournament by playing four games in less than a week, including a doubleheader on May 20. However, Guilford was true to the task as Head Coach Brian Hayden’s club won all four contests to finish 13-7 with a six-game win streak intact, while also earning the No. 7 seed for the SCC tourney.
The Indians defeated Foran 4-0 behind a no-hit performance by senior tri-captain Noah Rubino on May 14. Then on May 18, Guilford routed Lyman Hall 11-1. Guilford then wrapped up the regular season blanking both Branford (2-0) and Morgan (10-0).
In the SCC Tournament, Guilford faced No. 2 seed Hand in the quarterfinals on May 23 and took a 1-0 loss in eight innings. Still, as the Indians head into states, Coach Hayden feels pleased with how his team is playing as of late.
“We lost a tough one to one of the best teams in the state with Hand. We came into the season with high expectations. We wanted to get into SCCs and get a home game in states,” said Hayden, whose squad is 13-8. “We lost to Fairfield Prep, a game in which we didn’t play well, to put us at 7-7. We held a team meeting and talked about putting it all on the line and how we had to do things differently. Everyone started to buy in and do their job.”
Rubino, an All-SCC Team selection, struck out 11 batters on his way to throwing a no-hitter versus Lyman Hall. Rubino has been part of three no-no’s this season after having contributed to a pair of combined no-hitters earlier in the year. Fellow All-SCC honoree, senior Logan Driscoll, went 2-for-3 with a home run and triple. Seniors Kam Miles and Gray Stephens had two hits apiece for the Indians, who also saw junior Ben Panagoulias garner All-Conference distinction this spring.
“Noah was incredible in a must-win game. He gives our team confidence that we can win every time he pitches,” Hayden said. “This is his third game in which he’s been a big part of a no-hitter. Logan set the tone offensively, as he’s done all year, and Kam and Gray added big hits.”
In the Lyman Hall win, Driscoll again paced Guilford on the base paths by going 3-for-3 with three RBI. Miles and senior tri-captain John Luke Cianciolo had two hits each, plus senior Tom Cattaneo pitchd five innings for the victory.
“Logan did a great job of getting us off to a good start. The guys had a great approach at the plate today and we were able to keep the pressure on them all game from an offensive standpoint,” Hayden said. “Tommy was excellent and in command of all of his pitches today. He is tough to hit when he has them all going like he did today.”
The Indians then faced Branford and saw junior Jack Strand throw five frames of shutout ball, with Rubino picking up the save. Driscoll again went 2-for-3, and senior Kevin Cargos was 1-for-2 with a sacrifice fly.
“This game had a playoff atmosphere, and our guys were able to get a couple of runs against a great pitching staff,” Hayden said. “Jack matched their staff pitch for pitch and was aggressive in the strike zone today. Logan’s triple and run scored speaks volumes about the type of season he is having. He always finds a way to give us what we need offensively. Kevin Cargos had a huge sac fly to push our lead to two. I thought we were tremendous defensively, as well. Noah came in and did what has done all year to help preserve a great team win.”
Guilford went on to shut out Morgan in its Senior Day game that same afternoon. Driscoll had three doubles, Cianciolo hit 2-for-3 with three RBI, and senior Matt McGrath threw five scoreless innings. The Indians’ seniors who were honored before the game included Stephens, Cianciolo, Cargos, Cattaneo, Driscoll, Miles, Rubino, and McGrath, along with Evan Song, Casey Johnson, and tri-captain Matt Donlan.
“Logan Driscoll finished off a great regular season with three doubles. We go as he goes. John Luke had a good day at the plate, as well, with three RBI,” said Hayden. “Matt didn’t have his best stuff, but he battled for us, and we turned some timely double plays. It was a great way to finish our season and head into the postseason, winning a doubleheader. We have a great group of guys, led by our 11 seniors, and they really showed up today.”
Guilford now turns its attention to the Class L State Tournament, which begins with first-round action on Tuesday, May 29. The Indians are the No. 10 seed and will host No. 23 East Lyme at 3:30 p.m. Coach Hayden believes the Indians are well prepared for the competitive heat of states and wants his squad to play with confidence.
“We’ve played one of the toughest schedules in the state this year, so we are battle-tested,” Hayden said. “If we do what we need to do, then we will be OK. We feel going in that we can play with anyone.”
From the Sidelines
Guilford’s regular-season opponents had a combined 126 wins this year.
Logan Driscoll hit to a blistering tune of a .733 batting average during the Indians’ recent win streak.
Noah Rubino has been a part of three no-hitters this year and holds a stingy 0.36 earned-run average.