By Andy Hutchison

WESTPORT — A big bottom of the sixth inning, a four-run frame during which the Wreckers broke a 3-3 tie, led to a 7-3 win over Stamford for the host Staples baseball team on Friday. The Wreckers improved to 6-3 and Black Knights fell to 6-2, dropping its first game since falling to Shelton in the opener.

A tie-breaking two-run double to left center field by freshman Nolan Walters was the big hit in the decisive frame.

Jules Cicero had three hits, including a solo homer, and scored three runs. Vincent Vega had two hits, including a double, an RBI, and two runs scored. Connor Brill and Chase Landgraf also drove in runs. 

After both starting pitchers exited a tie game it came down to the bullpens and the Wreckers got the job done behind two innings of scoreless relief by Lukas Snow. Staples’ Bruce Schlegelmilch and Stamford’s Dylan Depree both tossed five innings, each surrendering three runs. Schlegelmilch fanned eight batters. 

Staples held a 3-2 lead going to the fifth and the Black Knights scratched out a run to tie things, although it could have been much worse for the Wreckers as Schlegelmilch limited the damage and left the bases loaded.

Staples Coach Jack McFarland noted that this was a head-to-head matchup between ace starters facing tough lineups.

“We knew it was going to be who got the big hits and who made the big pitches,” said McFarland, adding that Cicero and Walters came up with clutch hits and the pitching got the job done.

Walters also played a solid game at shortstop and the Wreckers played errorless ball.

“It was good team baseball,” McFarland said.

The Wreckers began the year with a handful of non-conference games and started 2-3 before getting hot in the win column.

“We’re not shy about losing around here,” said the Staples coach, adding that challenging games help the team improve heading into the thick of the schedule.

“We’re trying to stack the wins so we can punch our ticket to the FCIAC and state tournaments,” he said.

The Wreckers look to keep the winning ways going when they host Darien Monday at 4 p.m.

Andy Hutchison

^{_{Andy Hutchison has been covering school sports — including Staples athletics — as well as news and feature stories, since the 1990s. He is the sports editor at the Newtown Bee. He writes for the Monroe Sun. He was director of communications and radio color commentator for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (now Islanders) hockey team. He has won numerous writing awards, including regional and national first-place honors.}}