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After losing four games early in the season by a combined score of 50-11, the Fairfield Ludlowe High School baseball team is turning its season around. And the Falcons are getting what they have desperately needed this season good pitching.
Falcons starter Tim Moran used brilliant command of his fastball to keep Darien hitters in check on a foggy Wednesday afternoon at Kiwanis Field. Moran gave up just three hits, retiring 15 of the last 17 batters he faced, giving the Falcons a huge conference victory, 2-1.
"We got a lot of luck today. It was that type of game. We got two runs, they made errors," Moran said. "This was a big win for us, and it might start clicking for us now."
Darien staked out a 1-0 lead in the second off Ben Hall's RBI double. Two batters later, Tommy Farren reached on an error, putting men on first and third. Right fielder Aaron Sullivan then hit a laser but right at Ludlowe shortstop Taylor Bulkley. After escaping the second inning, a wacky third put the Falcons right back into the game.
Graham Bootright appeared to be the inning's second out, grounding back to Darien pitcher Dillon Duncan. Duncan then threw the ball high over first baseman Hall, allowing Bootright to move to third. The mental lapses continued for the Darien hurler, throwing a wild pitch to the next batter and allowing Bootright to score the tying run. Three batters later, Luke Clifford's RBI single plated Ludlowe's second run.
That would be all the offense the Falcons needed, as Darien had no luck against Moran. The Blue Wave made solid contact, but it seemed the hits were always right to Ludlowe's waiting gloves. Moran benefited from eight groundouts, five fly outs, and three pop outs.
"We play a 20-game season where things tend to even themselves out. Good teams usually present themselves in the long run," Ludlowe head coach Keith O'Rourke said. "We're still trying to find ourselves this season, and it's huge just to get a win today.'
Ludlowe (4-4) will take on cross-town rival Fairfield Warde in a special matchup under the lights at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport. The first pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday.
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