Warriors Into Second Place with Win Over Trinity Catholic

It took a mere 96 minutes for Wilton's Austin Gambee to master the Trinity Catholic hitters Thursday afternoon.

Gambee tossed a complete game three-hitter, as the Warriors defeated the Crusaders, 3-1, to pull into a four-way tie for second place in the FCIAC.

The only run Gambee allowed was unearned, and it came in the bottom of the first, when Trinity Catholic jumped out to an early lead.

Patrick Murphy doubled with two out and scored when shortstop Ryan Phillips mishandled a routine grounder.

From there, however, Gambee was in complete control, finishing with six strikeouts. He did not allow a hit after the third inning.

Trinity starter Jeff Ronashan got a no-decision, despite allowing only one earned run and six hits over 5 2/3 innings.

Crusaders reliever Chris Neuscheler took the loss, giving up two runs- one earned- in 1 1/3 innings.

Wilton (12-3, 11-3) tied the contest in the third on an RBI single by left fielder Matt Baird that scored Gambee, who reached on a double.

Trinity's field has no fence, so the Warriors had to depart from their potent slugging offensive strategy. Instead, they played small ball and took the lead in the fifth.

Gambee led off with walk, advanced on Corey Fechter's sacrifice and came home when Aaron Shapiro cracked a double, his only hit of the game. 

The Warriors threatened  in the sixth, but stranded a runner at third as Neuscheler struck out Gambee to end the inning.

After Gambee retired the middle of Trinity's lineup in the bottom of the sixth, the Warriors added an insurance run in their final at-bat.  

Fechter led off with a double, stole third and scored after a wild throw by Trinity Catcher Jayme Antonetti.

Wilton is back in action on Friday at McMahon at 4:30 p.m.

Trinity Catholic (11-6, 9-6), trying to grab the final FCIAC playoff spot, visits Ridgefield on Friday.