Looking to pick up its first win of the season, the West Haven baseball team battled, but came up short in an 8-6 road loss against Norwalk.
The Westies trailed early, before rallying in the last three innings. West Haven had the tying run on base in the last inning, but the Westies could not complete the comeback.
Evan Jones and Ray Gilbert each drove in a pair of runs, while K.J. Harp had two hits, two walks, drove in a run, and also scored. Jose Padilla also added a pair of hits in the loss.
Connor Hume took the loss for the Westies, allowing eight runs, six earned, on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings of work. Hume walked eight and struck out three in the game. Haygen Axelrod pitched 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief.
After two attempts, the West Haven baseball team finally gave Steve Carden his first victory as a head coach.
Behind a complete-game 5-hitter from Jones, along with a three-hit day by Jones at the plate, West Haven topped O’Brien Tech, 7-3, at Piurek Field in the home opener for the Westies. Jones struck out eight and walked three in the victory.
The Westies got off to a quick start, scoring twice in the first inning and once in the second for a 3-0 lead.
In the first, Harp led off with a single, moved to second on a passed ball and scored on a single to right by Jones. Jones stole second and scored on a double to left by Gilbert for a 2-0 advantage.
West Haven took a 3-0 lead in the second as Cruz led off with a walk, Haygen singled to right to put runners on the corners, before Cruz scored on a wild pitch.
West Haven left runners on base in each of the next three innings, before pulling away with four runs in the sixth to take a 7-1 lead.
Jones did not allow a hit until one out in the fourth.
After picking up its first win of the season, the West Haven baseball team was looking to keep the momentum going against cross-town rival Notre Dame. Unfortunately for the Westies, Notre Dame jumped out to a 4-0 lead and never looked back in a 9-4 victory over the Westies at Piurek Field.
Haygen Axelrod took the loss for West Haven, tossing five innings and allowing six earned runs. The West Haven junior walked six and struck out two.
Hume allowed three runs on two hits in two innings of work. Hume walked two.
Padilla led the offense with three hits and a run scored, while Hudson Axelrod had two hits and three runs batted in.
Notre Dame pitcher Lucu Stavrevski pitched five innings of five-hit ball, allowing three runs, while walking three and striking out four.
West Haven baseball team looked as if it would drop its second straight contest late in the game against Guilford. That all changed in an instant.
Sending 13 batters to the plate in the sixth inning, West Haven rallied and scored eight runs to defeat Guilford, 11-5, at Piurek Field. The Westies improved to 2-3 on the year.
After taking a 3-0 lead in the first inning, West Haven was dealt a tough blow when starting pitcher Supan exited the game with a leg injury. Jones picked up the Westies with five innings of relief allowing five runs on eight hits, while walking four and striking out one.
The Grizzlies scored four times in the third and another in the fourth for a 5-3 lead, but the Westies took over in the sixth.
Cruz reached on a one-out error, pinch-hitter Josh Osborne singled to right, and Harp reached on an infield single to load the bases.
With the bases loaded and one out, Jones reached on Guilford’s second error of the inning to score a pair and even the game at five. The flood gates then opened.
Gilbert singled to right to score Harp for a 6-5 lead, Brady Price tripled to right to score Jones and Gilbert, before a single by Jose Padilla increased the lead to 9-5. Padilla scored on a double by Hume, and Haygen Axelrod delivered the final run with a single to left.
West Haven took a 3-0 lead in the first inning when Gilbert’s one-out single scored Harp, and Haygen Axelrod hit a two-out single to score Gilbert and Supan.
After a hard-fought victory over Guilford three days earlier, West Haven was looking to build off that momentum. The Westies were unable to do so.
Scoring five times in the bottom of the sixth, Shelton broke open a tie game and rolled to a 9-5 victory over the Westies at Shelton High Saturday afternoon. With the loss, West Haven fell to 2-6 on the year.
The Gaels used three hits off starter Hume to take a 2-1 lead over West Haven in the third, and after West Haven left two on in the fourth, Shelton took a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the inning.
The Westies got within 3-2 in the fifth as Jones was hit by a pitch and Padilla walked. A fielder’s choice put runners on the corners, before a wild pitch scored Gilbert.
Trailing 4-2 in the sixth, the Westies rallied to tie the game as three straight walks opened the inning, before Jones singled to scored Cruz, and Gilbert hit into a fielder’s choice to score Hudson Axelrod. West Haven loaded the bases with one out, but could not score again in the inning.
West Haven suffered its first defeat of the season with a 10-5 loss against Guilford.
The Grizzlies scored five runs in the second and five more in the fifth for a 10-0 advantage, before West Haven scored five of its own in the sixth.
Rubirosa led the offense with two hits and two runs batted in, while Alfano and Burrows each had one hit, drove in a run, and scored once in the loss.
Rubirosa took the loss as she pitched 1 1/3 innings allowing five runs, four earned, on four hits, while walking three and striking out three. Raccio pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing five runs, four earned, on four hits, while walking four and striking out two.
After falling to Guilford, West Haven was looking to get back on track. The Westies did that and more in a 21-4 win at Shelton Friday morning.
Nine players combined for 21 hits, with seven having multiple hits in the lop-sided victory. Miller had four hits and drove in five runs to lead the offense, while Raccio had three hits and drove in four runs, and Rubirosa had had three hits, scored four times, and drove in a pair.
Petruzziello, Alfano, and Carrano each added a pair of hits, while Petruzziello, Alfano, and Carrano each scored twice.
Rubirosa picked up the win, allowing four unearned runs on two hits, while walking five and striking out eight.
West Haven has been waiting since June to play Danbury after suffering a gut-wrenching defeat to the Hatters in last year’s postseason. Danbury spoiled the plan.
Scoring six times in the third inning and five times in the seventh, Danbury topped West Haven, 13-3, at Biondi Field in West haven Saturday morning.
Rubirosa took the loss for West Haven, allowing eight runs, six earned, on five hits, while walking five and striking out three in four innings of work. West Haven managed just three hits in the game.
The West Haven boys lacrosse team knew the opening game of the season was going to be a tough one. When all was said and done, the ride to Middletown proved to be a tough one as the Westies fell to Xavier, 17-3.
Xavier held a 24-10 shot advantage in the game and capitalized from the start. West Haven goalies T.J. Levenduski and Ameir Durham combined to make six saves with Levenduski making five saves.
Senior Khai Outhavong and sophomore Nick Conlan led the offense as Outhavong scored twice and Conlan added a goal and an assist. Senior Connor Hummel also had an assist in the loss.
West Haven suffered its second straight loss with a 16-3 decision against Sheehan in Wallingford.
Levenduski made 22 saves, while Conlan, Hummel, and Yousaf Ullah each scored in the loss. Conlan, Outhavong, and Aedan Coe each had assists.
Sheehan held a 42-10 shot advantage in the game, but Levenduski kept his squad within striking distance with several clutch saves.
Hummel scored at the 6:33 mark of the second quarter, Conlan tallied at the 3:41 mark of the third, and Ullah scored on a back-handed crease goal off a feed from Conlan at the four-minute mark of the fourth.
West Haven fell to 0-3 with a 15-1 loss against Shelton in the team’s home opener Tuesday evening. With the loss, West Haven dropped to 1-2 on the year.
Marcus Burrows scored West Haven’s lone goal on a breakaway in the third quarter. Shelton held a 47-10 shot advantage in the contest with West Haven’s Levenduski making 18 saves, and Durham making nine saves.
Durham turned aside the nine shots in the fourth quarter.
After opening the season with a pair of losses, the West Haven girls lacrosse team got into the win column with a thrilling 15-14 victory over North Haven at Ken Strong Stadium.
Senior Melissa Tsakonas had a great offensive day with five goals and four assists, while Delaney Johnston was also stellar with five goals. Julia Tsakonas added two goals and an assist, while Chloe Whelan had a goal and an assist, Cassidy Dalton and Brooke Moscato each added a goal, and Julianna Gonzalez had one assist.
After getting in the win column, the West Haven girls lacrosse team looked to keep the momentum going. Unfortunately for the Westies, they fell to 1-3 with an 11-5 loss at Shelton.
Johnston led the offense with three goals, Julia Tsakonas had a goal and an assist, while Moscato added a goal, and Whelan had an assist.
The West Haven boys tennis team won its season opener with a 6-1 win over Career at Edgewood Park in New Haven.
The Westies started the season on the right foot, winning three of four singles matches. West Haven’s only loss in singles play came in the top spot as Career’s Marcus Duff defeated Miguel Torres, 6-2, 7-6.
West Haven’s Brandon Sihaphong won in the second slot as he topped Terry Giles, 6-2, 6-3. Third-seeded Eshwar Balakumar topped Ravi Dana 6-0, 6-0, and fourth-seeded Johnny Chen also won.
In doubles play, West Haven’s top-seed David Guadarrama and Javon Huang defeated Chris Santiago and Jaylen Lopes, 6-0, 6-0, while second-seeded Valentin Diaz and Caden Mateo, and third-seeded Ali Hamza and Yousaf Khan both posted victories.
West Haven improved to 2-0 with a 7-0 victory over Platt Tech.
In singles play, top-seeded Torres defeated Kyle Droney, 6-3, 7-5, second-seeded Sihaphong topped Josiah Tilghman, 6-1, 6-0, third-seeded Balakumar defeated Paul Corsine 6-2, 6-2, and fourth-seeded Chen topped Andrew Bloschichar 6-0, 6-1.
In doubles action, top-seeded Diaz and Mateo of West Haven defeated Donovan Huggett and Allan Correia, 6-2, 6-4, second-seeded Guadarrama and Huang topped Jaiden Harrison and Evan Santoro, 6-0, 6-0, and third-seeded Hamza and Khan defeated Chris Hernandez and CJ Moore 6-0, 6-0.
In a battle of unbeaten teams, Wilbur Cross topped West Haven, 4-3, at West Haven.
In singles play, top-seeded Torres of West Haven topped Joshua Ogarro, 6-4, 6-2 and West Haven’s second-seeded Sihaphong defeated Kurt Boone, 7-6, 4-6, 7-5. Third seed Young In Kim of Cross defeated West Haven’s Balakumar 6-1, 5-7, 6-3 as did fourth-seeded Adam Sharqawe, who topped West Haven’s Chen, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3.
In doubles action, top-seeded Cassius Morgan-Coe and Mario Berrias of Wilbur Cross defeated Guadarrama and Huang, 6-1, 6-2. West Haven’s second seed of Diaz and Mateo defeated Mateo Festa and Krish Patel 6-4, 6-2. Third-seeded Adrian Sampedro and Vikram Dalal of Wilbur Cross topped West Haven’s Hamza and Khan, 6-2, 2-6, 6-1.
West Haven improved to 3-1 with a 7-0 road victory over East Haven.
In singles play, top-seeded Torres defeated Greg Vera, 6-1, 6-1, second-seeded Sihaphong topped Victor Unabia, 6-1, 6-1, third-seeded Balakumar defeated Shir Patel, 6-1, 6-1, and fourth-seeded Chen defeated Gustavo Flores-Soto, 6-1, 6-2.
In doubles action, top-seeded Diaz and Mateo topped Mateo Ramiro and Mateo Martinez, 6-0, 6-2, second-seeded Hamza and Javon Huang defeated Jacob Ushehak and Steve Condo, 6-2, 6-1, and third-seeded John Diaz and Muhammad Tahir topped Justin Sieng and Angel Orozco, 6-0, 6-0.
After getting back on the winning track, the team knew it was in for a tough match against Shelton. The Gaels proved that to be true as they won three of four singles matches to take home a 4-3 victory over the Westies at West Haven High Monday afternoon.
In singles play, West Haven picked up its lone victory as top-seeded Torres defeated Chase Gruber, 7-6. 6-3. Shelton won the rest of the singles matches as Ben Rhodes defeated West Haven’s Sihaphong, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4, third-seeded Adam Klein topped West Haven’s Balakumar, 6-4, 6-2, and fourth-seeded Nikhil Dagar topped Chen of West Haven, 2-6, 7-6, 6-3.
In doubles action, Shelton’s top seed of Jack Mackniak and Jack Parkes defeated Diaz and Mateo, 6-1, 6-0.
West Haven’s second seed of Guadarrama and Tahir topped Ryan Duloal and JP Koco,t 6-1, 6-2, while West Haven’s third seed of Hamza and Yousaf Khan defeated Kevin Faley and Siham Agrawal, 6-4. 6-0.
West Haven got back on the winning track with a 7-0 victory over East Haven.
In singles play, top-seeded Torres defeated Shiv Patel, 6-0, 6-0, second-seeded Sihaphong topped Victor Unabia, 6-0, 6-2, third-seeded Balakumar defeated Mateo Ramero, 6-1, 6-0, and fourth-seeded Chen won against Gustavo Flores-Soto, 6-3, 6-1.
In doubles play, West Haven’s top seed of Guadarrama and Huang defeated Steve Condo and Jack Castillo, 6-2, 6-0. Second-seeded Diaz and Mateo won against Angel Valazquez and Jacob Ushchak, 6-2, 6-1, and third-seeded Hamza and Khan defeated Luis Tejeda-Valenzuela and Angel Orozco (EH), 6-0, 6-0.
The West Haven girls tennis team improved to 5-1 with a 6-1 victory over Foran.
The Westies won all four singles matches as senior Joyce Delgado topped Aggie Dalton, 6-3, 6-7, 10-5 in the first slot, while second-seeded Sophie Mazuroski defeated Sara Monev, 6-1, 7-6 (7-5). Third-seeded Fay Aciker defeated Rumeysa Bayram, 6-0, 6-1, and fourth-seeded Celia Williams topped Apneet Bhangoo, 6-3, 6-1.
West Haven suffered its only defeat in doubles play as top-seeded Victalia Deida and Angie Juarez fell to Sienna Mannino and Kathenne Motigue, 6-3, 2-6, 4-6.
Second-seeded Jeanette McLaughlin and Alex Capilla topped Alexa Malerba and Katelyn Vilaletti, 6-1, 6-1, and third-seeded Sophia Basaen and Yaju Pradhan topped Manva Vijay and Leighla-Marie Dantes, 6-0, 6-2.
For all your West Haven sporting news throughout the year, including game articles by Mike Madera, highlights, photos and more, visit www.westieblue.com.