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By Tai Nuzzi and Aidan Doyle, Staff Reporters
After a long wait through fall and winter, the Tigers took on North Haven for the first game of the 2023 season.
The Tigers took an early lead with senior captain Troy Piascik hitting a two run bomb in the first inning. Without flinching, North Haven came right back with their own two runs with a clutch single.
To stop the bleeding in the bottom of the first, third baseman Cole Daignault, senior, and catcher Paul Calendrelli, sophomore, executed a game changing double play.
After the first inning mishaps, starting pitcher Brandon SanMarco, junior, locked things down with four consecutive innings with no runs scored. The offspeed was working as SanMarco struck out 12 of North Haven's hitters.
“I just wanted to get the boys through with a W,” SanMarco said. “I knew how bad we wanted it so I pushed myself every inning”.
As the 7th inning rolled around, the Tigers were holding onto a slim lead of 5-3, but things changed as top 25 player in CT, Ben Kuja, drove in a clutch run with a triple toward deep center.
The inning started as senior Jacob Rachler worked a clutch walk and advanced to second with a sacrifice bunt by junior Tai Nuzzi. With a runner in scoring position, Kuja pounced on the opportunity.
“I went up there looking for a fastball knowing I had a runner in scoring position,” Kuja said. “I just wanted to give a cushion to Brandon”.
After the big hit, the Tigers put on another run to take a 7-3 lead going into the bottom half of the inning.
SanMarco finished the game striking out the first two batters while the third flew out to center giving the Tigers their first win of the 2023 season.
The Tigers play Lyman Hall next for their first home game on Wednesday .
Notable Players:
Nick Antonetti - 3/4 - 2 Runs - 2 RBI
Vincent Benevento - 2/4 - 2 singles
Paul Calendrelli - 1/3 - Double
