Stellar Pitching Gives Amity Edge Over Cheshire

Early in the season Amity’s sophomore right-hander Michael Concato had major control problems and could not consistently find the strike zone. As the season has gone on Concato’s control has improved significantly. Last week against Notre Dame he threw 6 2/3 innings, giving up only three runs on eight hits, while striking out nine batters and walking just three but came away with no decision.

Monday night he did even better against Cheshire as he limited the Rams to only two runs on two hits. He also whiffed a career high 10 batters and handed out only two free passes in six innings as Amity nipped its Southern Connecticut Conference-Housatonic Division rival, 3-2 under the lights at Brinley Field in Orange. Not only was it Concato’s first victory (evening his record at 1-1), it also upped the Spartans’ overall mark to 12-3 and solidified their hold on first place in the Housy with their 7-0 slate. Cheshire slipped to 10-5, 4-3.

Winning coach Sal Coppola said, “Mike pitched a very good game against Notre Dame and deserved to get the win, but what a great game he pitched tonight! His stuff was amazing. His fastball was really good and he consistently kept his slider down low. He knew that he could not give up any free passes as Cheshire can really run the bases.  On top of that, they are one of the better hitting teams in the SCC. Striking out 10 in five innings is big time pitching.”

The visitors took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning., losing pitcher Ryan Rougeot (now 4-3) drew a lead-off walk,  moved around to third base on an infield out and a balk, and scored when second baseman Nick Baviello booted Matt Croteau’s roller.

Amity came right back and scored all three of its runs in the bottom of the same inning. Consecutive singles by Brian Speer, Adam Kyasky, Concato, along with a fielder’s choice off the bat of Paul Gusmano tied the game at 1-1. Shortly thereafter, Baviello atoned for his run-scoring bobble by lashing a two-run single into center field. That hit staked Concato to a lead (3-1) which he never gave up.

Concato got into trouble in the top of the fourth inning. At the outset of the stanza, he served up back-to-back base hits to Dom Severino and Conor David—then wild pitched both Rams into scoring position with no one out. Reaching down deep, the lanky 10^th grader stranded both runners as he struck out Rougeot, John Kubilis, and Croteau. In the top of the fifth, Tyler Robertson walked, stole second, advanced a base on an error by third baseman Keith Klebart, and came home on Matt Jefferis’ sacrifice fly to deep right field.

After completing the sixth inning, Concato left in favor of E.J. Ashworth, who retired the Rams in order in the top of the seventh inning and picked up his second save of the spring.

According to Coppola, “That one was too close to make it comfortable! Losing (Mark) Esposito with a ham string pull, was a big blow to  our team. As a result, we’ve had to use our sophomore pitchers Sam Nepiarsky (now 5-1) and Mike Concato more than we ever expected to use them, but they have been equal to the task and picked up the pitching slack big time.”

Looking back at his first varsity victory, Concato said, “I’ve gained more control and confidence as the season has gone on. I also have more command of my pitches and have given up fewer walks. Tonight, the big key for me was getting my first pitcher over for a strike and getting ahead of batters. I talk a lot to my brother (former Spartan pitching star, Lou Concato, who is now pitching for Dartmouth College) and he’s given me a lot of tips—mix my pitches, stay confident, throw the first pitch for a strike, and keep throwing strikes.”

Speer and Klebart each banged out a pair of singles for the winners. Speer also stole a base and scored a run.  Gusmano singled, scored a run, and chalked up an RBI. Baviello added the big hit of the night—his two-run single in the bottom of the second inning and also swiped a base.