LOOKING BACK
10 years ago
The Norwalk American Legion baseball squad had a big week as Post 12 won three games, highlighted by back-to-back no-hitters by Todd Lyons and Rocco Cundari. The Norwalkers blanked Westport 2-0 in the opening game at Malmquist Field as Lyons, who pitched Brien McMahon to the Class LL state title game this spring, allowed only four base runners — three walks and a fifth-inning error — while striking out eight. The home team scored its runs in the first and third innings, and both times Brian Jacoby doubled and Kenny Coppola singled him home.
The next day, Cundari’s no-hit encore at Malmquist came against Ridgefield in a 9-0 win as he struck out nine, walked none, and allowed only two base runners, both on errors. Kevin Daniele, who caught both nohitters, threw one of the runners out trying to steal as Cundari faced just one batter over the minimum. Daniele also drove in the game’s first run with a single, scoring Coppola, who had also singled. Coppola later added an RBI single, while Tim Cassidy had a two-run single during a four-run fourth.
Coppola took the mound 24 hours later in as Post 12 nipped Westport 2-1 in a rematch. Coppola ran Norwalk’s hitless pitching streak to 162⁄3 innings before yielding an infield single and allowed only three hits in six strong innings. He also singled in his team’s first run. Tied 1-1 with two outs in the sixth, pinch-hitter
Andrew Merritt doubled and scored the go-ahead run on another double by Eric Stenger. Cassidy came on in relief in the seventh and retired the side in order, including two strikeouts. Norwalk improved to 10-5.
There was another no-hitter by a local pitcher this week as Allie Brown and the Norwalk Riptide run-ruled New Milford 18-0 in four innings in the opening game of the Babe Ruth Girls Softball 12-and-under state tournament. Ryan LaJoie went 3-for-3 with two doubles, an RBI and three runs scored, while
Tory Dugan added two hits and three RBIs and Becky Stefanatos also had two hits and an RBI.
25 years ago
It was a battle of two Norwalk Little Leagues as the Ben Whone National LL defeated Norwalk International 6-4 in the losers’ bracket of the District I tournament. Jose Matias had two key hits for Whone, one a clutch two-out, two-strike RBI single and later an RBI triple. Brian Walsh had two hits and an RBI for International.
The Norwalk Babe Ruth 14-15 year-old all-stars remained undefeated in tournament play with a 10-3 win over Wilton as Todd DeKlyn had two hits, two RBIs and three runs scored, while Keith Johnson added a two-run single. Sean Ireland, who pitched the first four innings, earned the win.
Meanwhile, the local Babe Ruth 13-yearolds knocked off defending champ Trumbull 7-6 in its District I opener. Norwalk trailed 6-5 in the last of the sixth, but Charlie Broadhurst tripled in the tying run and scored the go-ahead run on an RBI single by Scott Trowbridge ... The Norwalkers then beat Fairfield 9-6 to advance to the winners’ bracket final.
Bobby Wong went 4-for-4 with a pair of RBIs while Morgan Thompson had three hits and
Bobby Kramer added a two-run triple.
The Norwalk American Legion improved to 11-5 after sweeping a doubleheader from Greenwich 11-5 and 10-7. Brian Baker had a productive day as he collected three hits and drove in four runs in the opener, and then pitched a five-hitter in the nightcap. Glenn Katz had two triples and a double while Mark Boccuzzi added a pair of doubles.
50 years ago
The Laurels captured the first-half championship in the Norwalk American Little League by beating Monker Grotto 11-4 in a one-game playoff after the two teams finished tied.
Jimmy Lacerenza led the way with four hits, including a home run, while Ralph Fusco belted a three-run shot and Ed Bogus had a bases-loaded triple. Winning pitcher Bobby Van Buskirk, who doubled, struck out 11. Will Robinson hit a two-run homer for Monker Grotto while Chris Velander singled and doubled.
The two division races in the Norwalk International LL tightened up with Pepperidge Farm leading the Elks by one game in the East Division and Genung’s holding a one-game advantage over Strawberry Hill A.C. in the West. Genung’s moved into first place with a 7-5 win over Ritar Ford as John Ezzo lined a two-run single in the last inning ... Strawberry Hill knocked the Elks out of first with a 4-2 victory behind the pitching of Al Eckert and the hitting of Billy Moschella ... George Ferguson had three hits as Pepperidge Farm topped Strawberry Hill 6-1 ... The Elks bounced back to beat Seven-Up 5-2 as Dave Dominici homered for the winners.
In City League action, the Laurels blanked the Blues 5-0 as Bob Ireland pitched a fivehitter and had two hits. Dave Power of the Blues continued his hot hitting with two more hits.
Local golfers Bob Graf and Paul Harris will face off for the Shorehaven President’s Cup after each posted semifinal victories. Graf defeated Dick DeTullio while Harris bested John Tiani.