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By: Trevor Brown
PBR New England Co-Scouting Director

We look to bring the New England region top-notch high school coverage throughout the area.

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Connecticut Spotlight Game: Fairfield Prep vs Amity

Bridgeport, CT -- The FCIAC finals matchup between rival towns Wilton and Ridgefield did not disappoint, as the Warriors avenged a regular season loss in a narrow 2-1 victory over the Tigers.

In a showdown between two All-FCIAC pitchers, Billy Black came out the victor after taking his only loss of the year against Ridgefield in the regular season. Black threw seven innings of one run ball, where he allowed two hits, and struck out 10. Ridgefield’s Collin Lowe fired off six innings of his own with 10 strikeouts.

Ridgefield took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning when first baseman Pete Columbia walked, advanced on a fielder’s choice, and crossed the plate on a wild pitch.

However, Wilton immediately responded the following inning in similar fashion as Jack Dooley doubled, advanced on a sac bunt, and then scored on a wild pitch.

It was a quiet few innings after that as Black and Lowe took turns churning through the opposing bats they faced until Wilton catcher Jack Dinanno roped a double in the bottom of the fifth inning. He was replaced on second base by Brandon Zheng.

Henry Strmecki then ripped a ball at the third baseman which Ridgefield was unable to handle, and Zheng advanced to third. Wilton second baseman Collin Kahal then came up to the plate and advanced Zheng those final 90 feet with a sacrifice fly which proved to be the game-winning run.

Black struck out three of the last six batter he faced in the next two innings, but not before Ridgefield’s Pete Columbia reached second base on a well hit ball that got lost in the lights and advanced to third base on a ground out. Black finished the game with his final strikeout against Lowe.

Top Performers

Fairfield Prep:

• Matt Zaffino, 2B/SS, 2017 - Had an outstanding game, reaching base five times out of the leadoff spot. He was 3-3 with two singles and a HR. He is a good looking middle infielder who can really swing the bat.  
• Will Lucas, SS, 2018 (UConn Commit) - Went 1-1 with 2 RBIs and a walk before leaving this game due to injury. Good looking young SS who is an elite athlete. Should be a solid player for the Huskies in a few years.
• Joe Mancini, 3B/RHP, 2018 (Boston College Commit) - Went 1-4 at the plate with an RBI and made a few excellent plays at 3B. Pitched an inning in this game and looked dominant.  
• Connor Bennett, RHP, 2018 - Pitched a couple of solid innings in relief against a very good lineup. He went 2 innings, struck out 1, allowed 2 hits, no walks, and 1 run.

Amity

• Patrick Winkel, C, 2018 (UConn Commit) - Went 1-3 in this game with a walk and 2 RBI’s. He is a left handed hitter with a good looking swing. Hits the ball hard consistently. He is an elite defensive catcher who receives well. Has a very strong arm behind the dish and is a good athlete.  
• Jack Nolan, 1B, 2018 - Went 2-2 in this game with a double, triple, 2 walks, and 2 RBI’s. He’s a big kid who can really swing the bat. Also a good athlete for a kid his size.
• Ben Lodewick, RHP, 2018 - Had a solid outing in relief. Pitched 2.1 innings, struck out 1, allowed 1 hit, 1 walk, and no runs. He is a tall kid who has good command of his pitches.