For Steve Guasco and his Fairfield Ludlowe High School teammates, it was worth the wait.
The start of Friday evenings game against cross-town rival Fairfield Warde at Harbor Yard was delayed nearly an hour because of the Sacred Heart-Monmouth college doubleheader, which went into extra innings. But then Guasco took over and took charge, pitching a crisp two-hit shutout in a 6-0 verdict over the Mustangs before a lively crowd of 1,200. The victory was Ludlowes 12th against five defeats (9-5 FCIAC) -- and its first over Warde in four tries since the town reopened Ludlowe.
A shoulder injury that required three months of physical therapy had limited Guasco, a 6-foot-1 senior, to two relief appearance prior to last night. But he was exceedingly sharp in his starting debut, striking out four and walking three batters. Both Warde hits were singles, by John Gallucci in the second inning and a looper to left center by Eric Burns in the fifth.
It felt really good to get back on the mound and beat Warde, said Guasco, who plans to attend Iona College in the fall. I felt kind of nervous out there at first, and having to wait (the additional hour) didnt help.
Senior Billy Malone, a .396 hitter entering the game, drove in the first Ludlowe run with a long sacrifice fly to center in the opening inning. Nick Rossomando, who had opened the game with a walk, swiped second and moved to third on a wild pitch, scored easily following Ryan Blindermans superb back-to-the-plate catch.
The Falcons chipped away with single runs in the second and third innings, and then put the game out of reach with two in the fourth. Designated hitter Max Senew had three of Ludlowes 11 hits, including a run-producing single in the fourth.
For the record, Sacred Heart swept its Northeast Conference doubleheader over Monmouth by scores of 6-5 and 4-3. Left-fielder Steve Tedescos bat decided both games, capped by a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th inning in the nightcap. The Pioneer senior, who collected six hits in 10 at bats, won the opener with a run-scoring single in the eighth.
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