SHELTON 7, NOTRE DAME 0

At first glance the Shelton Gaels’ SCC Quarterfinals matchup couldn’t have looked more challenging. The baseball team was facing the ninth ranked team in the state that had already beaten them twice in the regular season – the Notre Dame West Haven Green Knights.

But the Gaels beat the Green Knights, 7 – 0, Tuesday.

The Gaels sent their ace, Dan St. George, to the mound. 

The senior co-captain didn’t disappoint as he held the Green Knights to four hits and struck out nine in a complete-game shutout.

It was a big game. We had to see what we were made of. The two losses were tough, but I think that helped us today. We came out and made a statement early.” said St. George of his team’s effort.

Eric Christensen, the Gaels dynamic leadoff hitter started things off in the first inning with a leadoff triple. 

Ryan Zahornasky drove in Christensen with a ground-rule double giving the Gaels a 1 – 0 advantage. 

St. George came to the plate and knocked in Zahornasky with a double of his own and the Gaels led 2 – 0.

We played really well, in all aspects of the game – clutching hitting, great defense, excellent pitching. Hopefully this was a statement game,” said Shelton Gael’s Manager, Scott Gura.

The Gaels looked to extend their lead in the fourth inning with back-to-back walks and nobody out.

Tyler!” yelled Coach Gura toward the dugout and out came Shelton National Little League World Series star and freshman, Tyler Tice to pinch run for Ryan Daiss.

Jim Pjura lined a single to the outfield and the speedy Tice zipped home from second base to extend the Shelton lead to 3 – 0.

When asked which made him more nervous — being in the post season for Shelton National or the Gaels — Tice responded I was more nervous for
this one. I’m just a freshman and this is varsity. It felt good to score the run.”

The Gaels added another run on a bases-loaded walk to Christensen to make it 4 – 0 and they would coast the rest of the way.

I keep saying after every game that that’s the best I’ve ever seen Danny pitch and then he does it again.” said Gura of St. George’s four-hit, nine-strikeout masterpiece.

This was a big win – the second or third biggest win since I’ve been coaching.” said Gura.

The Shelton Gaels’ next opponent is a team that they have beaten twice in the regular season: the Jonathan Law Lawmen.

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