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FAIRFIELD, Conn. Mike Kochiss scored the go-ahead run in the top of the eighth in one of the strangest possible plays in baseball, as Fairfield Ludlowe stunned unbeaten Staples, 3-1, for the Falcons biggest win of the season.
Kochiss led off third base, representing the go-ahead run. With Kochiss leading a little too far for Staples taste, Wreckers catcher James Frusciante faked a throw to third. As Kochiss dove back to the bag, Staples third baseman Elias Andrew slapped a tag on the Fairfield runner.
Thats when things got wacky. The umpire ruled that the fake tag was field interference and the dive back to the bag an injury risk, and he awarded home plate to Kochiss.
Thats the umpires call. Ive seen obstruction calls before, but I dont think Ive seen that in the situation we had, Ludlowe manager Keith ORourke said.
The Falcons plated an insurance run after the obstruction call when a frustrated Staples team committed two errors.
Somewhat forgotten, thanks to the wild finish, was Ludlowe pitcher Tim Morans best start of the year. The senior lefty had all his pitches working for him, changing speeds and location with ease throughout the game.
Moran went 7 1/3 innings, giving up just four hits, striking out five and walking one. Staples' only run came on a solo homer by Sam Ellinwood in the bottom of the third.
Staples came close to scoring more runs, including a towering shot by Chris Speer in the bottom of the seventh that cleared the fence but dropped just foul. The Wreckers loaded the bases in the bottom of the eighth, but Victor DAscenzo wiggled his way out of the jam to earn the save.
This is a huge step in the right direction for this season, ORourke said. When you pitch and you play defense, you have a great chance to win the game.
The win comes just three days after one of the worst losses in program history, a 16-1 drubbing at the hands of St. Joseph. Ludlowe (4-3) hosts Westhill on Wednesday at noon at Kiwanis Field.
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