FAIRFIELD, Conn. The Fairfield Ludlowe baseball team clinched a state playoff spot Wednesday, a feat that took all 20 games and an extra inning last season. Pitcher Tim Moran gave up just two hits in five-plus innings and Vic D'Ascenzo hung on in relief for a 5-3 win over Trinity Catholic of Stamford.
It was tough having to wait that long to get in last year, especially with a couple of heartbreak losses in the last week, Ludlowes Mike Poudrier said. Its good it's done this early and hopefully we can keep this going into [conference playoffs] and states.
Ludlowe's offense got to Trinity starter Randy Polonia early and often, rapping out 10 hits off the freshman. Mike Poudrier ripped a two-run double into the left-center gap to kick off the scoring in the first. Charlie Meder and Mike Kochiss collected a pair of hits and each drove in a run. Moran spun one of his best outings of the year, striking out four and not allowing a runner past first base after the first inning. Despite giving up just two hits, Moran walked five and was pulled in the sixth inning after reaching 90 pitches. Trinity made the game interesting in the seventh, scoring three times with two outs off D'Ascenzo. The Crusaders managed to get the tying run to the plate, but D'Ascenzo induced an easy groundout by clean-up hitter Jeff Cortese. Ludlowe manager Keith O'Rourke was satisfied the team had clinched a state playoff spot, but he said there's still work to be done. When the regular season is over and the postseason begins, there are other things to accomplish, he said. Its definitely a step in the direction I wanted this young club to take this year. Ludlowe (8-5) travels to Danbury on Friday for a 4 p.m. game. The Falcons are currently tied with Danbury for the No. 6 spot in the conference standings.
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