The Wilton Warriors baseball team hosted their senior night against the 10th ranked New Canaan Rams on Wednesday, May 13. The Warriors definitely looked focused before the game, but as the Wilton High School baseball season starts to wind down, the players grow anxious. For some, this may not have been their last home game, and they can look forward to next year’s season. But for others, especially the 14 graduating seniors, it was the last game they would play on their own field.
The Warriors (16-2) were heading into the game after a disappointing loss to Darien, one of the FCIAC’s top teams, and they were looking to bounce back against New Canaan (19-3), particularly for their senior teammates. Before the game, the players from the class of 2015 were honored by the coaches and their parents–as each player’s name was called a brief history of their time on the diamond was announced. By the time the Warriors took the field in the shadow of their high school to defend their home plate, emotions were running high.
Wilton started off slowly, as Jackson Ward gave up a home run to New Cannan’s first batter, Robbie Jones. Shortly after that, New Canaan managed to score again, leaving Wilton down two going into the bottom of the first inning. Regardless, the senior pitcher managed to calm himself down and keep the score at 2-0 as the game progressed. Helping morale in the bottom of the second inning, Dillon Lifrieri singled to left infield to start the Warriors hitting, as the freshman continued to look promising.
The Warriors began to settle into the game when the third inning started, as senior third baseman, Jason Rothstein, made an amazing play down the third base line. This sparked momentum for both the home fans and players, and helped the team going into the fourth inning.
Wilton managed to score in the sixth off of an Alex Jacobson double RBI and a Lifrieri RBI single, tying the game at 2-2. But it wouldn’t be enough for the Warriors to take the game, as the Rams scored five more in the seventh to seal the game at 7-2.
There were no doubts as to how hard the seniors played on their big night, and the fans showed their gratitude. After the game, Harrison Sabo, a senior first baseman for the Warriors, reflected on why senior night is so different than a regular season game.
“We have fourteen seniors that have been in the Wilton baseball program since we were younger. It’s really a great time to honor everything that the parents and players have given to this town. A lot of people come out to support the seniors and the atmosphere is just awesome,” he said.
Sabo, who will play D3 baseball at Stonehill next fall, added that although he will continue to play first base/catcher in college, he’ll miss the feeling of playing for the Warriors at his home field, along with the rest of his senior teammates.