The Gaels fell to the Notre Dame-West Haven Friday, 4 – 3 on a last-inning, 400-foot home run blast by Conor Keniry.
“We were beat by the best player in the state,” Shelton coach Scott Gura said of the all-state shortstop.
The Gaels starting pitcher, sophomore Ryan Zahornasky, pitched well in his first varsity start.
“Ryan pitched a great, great game against a team that hits the ball extremely well. They have some incredible bats,” Gura said. “Ryan kept them off balance with his curve and off speed pitches. I thought he pitched exceptionally well.”
Notre Dame-West Haven jumped out to a 1 – 0 lead in the top of the first inning. The Gaels bounced back in their half of the first with a single by Zahornasky, to be driven in by cleanup hitter, Mike Georgalas.
Notre Dame-West Haven took back the lead in the second inning with a home run by outfielder Matthew Murray. They tried to add to the lead with a stolen base attempt, but were shutdown by the arm of Gaels catcher Ryan Daiss.
Notre Dame-West Haven went on the offensive again in the sixth inning, as David Beisler led off with a double. He was knocked home by William Meade to tie the score at 3 – 3.
Zahornasky found himself in a jam with the lead run in scoring position, but went on to retire the next two batters.
Zahornasky walked what would be his final batter of the day before Gura called on Dan St. George to relieve him. Facing the top of the order in a pressure cooker situation, St. George put out the fire with an inning-ending strikeout.
Notre Dame-West Haven entered the final inning with the score still tied.
Keniry launched a home run blast to the straight-away center field to give Notre Dame-West Haven the lead and give their starting sophomore pitcher, Gary Flowers, the win.
“Conor showed why he has a full athletic scholarship to play ball at a Division I school (Wake Forest),” Gura said.
