Teammates step up off the field

Baseball players all over the state step up for each other on the field every day.

Recently, two teams stepped up off the field, showing that teammates really do become like family.

Last week, the grandmother of Cheshire senior pitcher Mike Pepe Jr. died suddenly.

Pepe’s grandmother was a prominent figure in his life and news of her passing hit him hard.

He told his coach and teammates he would not be able to attend the team’s game against Sheehan on Friday to attend her wake.

What Pepe was not ready for was for his teammates and coaches showing up at the wake in full uniforms after beating Sheehan 13-1.

The players lined up with the coaches behind them and each paid their respects at the casket before greeting the family.

Cheshire coach Bill Mrowka told the family at the wake “that the team wanted to be here,” according to the family.

BROTHERHOOD

The players at Notre Dame-West Haven proved that the concept of team as family extends to those players who have come before them.

Last fall, former NDWH player Matt Maler (Class of 2000, member of state championship team) was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.

The team stepped up, making bracelets with #Allin, #Faith, and #Believe printed on them. Those slogans have become rallying cries for the team this season.

It went beyond the bracelets. The varsity players each took the time to wrote Maler personal letters offering him support and positive thoughts. The players took turns, mailing one letter a week to Maler.

Maler was named the team’s honorary captain for the opening game this season and tossed out the first pitch in the opener.

“Notre Dame’s baseball program is all about brotherhood, so when we heard about Matt’s battle, we wanted to rally around him,” said NDWH coach Don Martone said in a press release. “Whether during our weightlifting sessions, our workouts or during our games, Matt has been a major part of our motivation for our season. His fighting spirit is fresh in our minds as we give our best.”

COMING IN CONFIDENT

Last season Staples faced lofty expectations, with the Wreckers being voted either No. 1 or No. 2 in the preseason polls.

The team stumbled out the gate, falling out of the top 10 and not returning until after making a run all the way to the Class LL championship.

This season, the team came in with similarly high expectations, garnering all but one of the No. 1 votes opening the season.

This season, however, the Wreckers (6-2) did not get tripped up early, winning its first five games before dropping two games last week to Trumbull and Masuk, dropping to No. 6 in the latest GameTimeCT poll.

Staples coach Jack McFarland said the team was playing much looser than the 2017 team, in large part because the championship banner is already hung.

“I think they are a little more confident,” McFarland said.

“These kids went through a lot last year and there are a lot of kids back. I like the lineup. I am not sold on our pitching depth yet, but I like our lineup.”

SWC UP FOR GRABS

Masuk may be sitting at 4-5, but after beating No. 1 Staples on Saturday, the rest of the SWC should be on notice: The Panthers are coming.

Masuk is not alone as a team to take note of in the SWC.

Often overlooked because of the success of the FCIAC and SCC teams, the SWC might be ready to make some noise again on the state stage.

“I think it is a pretty balanced league,” Masuk coach Ralph Franco said. “There are probably four to six teams who can knock anybody off on any given day. We have only gotten two league games in, so far. Hopefully, the weather turns around and we can start getting on a regular rhythm. I think we can compete in the league, I think we are one of the top teams in that league and we are just looking to make the postseason.”

New Milford (6-2) was the only SWC team to make an appearance in the state poll, but Notre Dame Fairfield (7-2), Immaculate (6-2) and Newtown (5-3) have all picked up votes over the course of the season.

That group is being tailed by a pack of contenders, including Masuk and Bethel (5-4).

NO-HITTER WATCH

Two no-hitters were tossed last week.

Henry Williams and Jackson Vaught of Darien combined, no-hitting McMahon.

Williams pitched five innings and Vaught the last two in the 6-0 victory.

William Homar of New Britain pitched a complete game, striking out two in a 3-0 victory over then unbeaten Windsor.

GametimeCT only counts 7-inning games for its no-hitter list, but one player who did not make the official list gets his well-deserved credit here.

John McDonald of Westhill threw a perfect game, though it only lasted five innings, as the Vikings defeated Danbury by run rule 10-0 last Wednesday.