By Christopher DeMuth
The New Canaan Rams varsity baseball team beat Masuk in a dramatic 4–3 win at home on Monday, clinching the game in the bottom of the eighth inning. In a tight non-conference matchup, New Canaan overcame an early deficit, leaned on strong pitching, and ultimately sealed the win with timely hitting and heads-up baserunning.
The game opened with New Canaan striking first. Leadoff hitter Tristan MacAllister singled and later scored, giving the Rams a quick 1–0 lead. Masuk responded in the top of the third with a three-run rally, briefly grabbing the momentum from the Rams. New Canaan answered in the bottom of the frame to tie the game 3–3, and after four scoreless innings from both sides, the Rams scored in the eighth to earn the walk-off victory.
After falling behind in the first inning, Masuk’s offense broke out in the top of the third. Sophomore Nico Convertito sparked the Panthers with a run-scoring double. He was followed by Connor Fulchino and Cascella, who each delivered RBI hits, pushing Masuk ahead 3–1. All three runs came in the inning as the Panthers strung together quality at-bats against New Canaan starter Zak Joslin.
New Canaan wasted no time in responding. In the bottom of the third, the Rams put together a rally of their own. Hits from D’Andrea and MacAllister helped set the table for victory. New Canaan plated two runs to even the game out to 3–3.
After the six-run swing across the third inning, both teams settled in. Joslin regained control of the game for the Rams, ultimately tossing seven full innings. He allowed just one earned run and struck out eight while giving one walk. His ability to limit Masuk after the third kept New Canaan in the game and gave the batting lineup chances to retake the lead.
For Masuk, Justin Fanning took over in relief and was effective. The right-hander pitched six innings, giving up three runs (two earned) and striking out five. His performance kept New Canaan off the board from the fourth through the seventh, matching Joslin inning for inning.
With the game tied at 3–3 entering extra innings, New Canaan brought in Wes Gallo in relief. Gallo worked a quick top of the eighth, retiring the Panthers in order and putting the Rams in position to win.
In the bottom of the frame, D’Andrea reached base via a walk. A passed ball and a sacrifice moved him to third base. With the winning run just 90 feet away, a ground ball off the bat of Benny Heagle led to a throwing error, allowing D’Andrea to cross the plate for the game-winning run.
Team and Individual Highlights
-Tristan MacAllister went 2-for-4 with a run scored.
-D’Andrea reached base twice, scored two runs, and came home with the game-winner in the eighth.
-Benny Heagle had a single, two stolen bases, and the walk-off ball in play.
-Adrian Delicata drove in three runs and had three hits.
-Zak Joslin: 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 8 K, 1 BB.
-Wes Gallo: 1.0 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 K (earning the win).
