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By: Trevor Brown
PBR New England Co-Scouting Director

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Connecticut Spotlight Game: Ridgefield vs Wilton

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

Collin Lowe, RHP, Ridgefield, 2017 (Richmond commit)
Game Report: Collin Lowe flummoxed the majority of the Wilton offense in this one, working his elite fastball in tandem with his curveball. His 10 strikeouts in six innings pitched are indicative of his impressive performance.

Billy Black, RHP, Wilton, 2017 (Columbia commit)
Game Report: Black pounded the zone all evening limiting Ridgefield baserunners, allowing only two hits and a single walk. He threw seven innings while using under 100 pitches and also struck out 10.