Raineault Hurled Four-Hitter to Lead Warde Over New Canaan in Fairfield on This Date in 1967

Junior Jack Raineault hurled a brilliant four-hitter as Andrew Warde edged New Canaan, 2-1, in an FCIAC pitcher's duel in Fairfield on Friday, April 28, 1967.

Raineault struck out 12 batters and walked only one in winning his second game of the season against one defeat. Piel Pennington, who also tossed a four-hitter, took his second mound loss in as many decisions for the visiting Rams.

"The game against New Canaan was 43 years ago, so I don't remember a thing about it," Raineault, who works in Norwalk, admitted via email. "It seems unbelievable that I struck out 12 in that game. New Canaan must have have been pretty weak offensively."

The Crimson Eagles tallied single runs in the second and third innings. In the second, Jim Roman reached on an error, stole second base, moved to third on a fielder's choice grounder, and scored on a wild pitch.

Jon Davis singled and moved around the bases on a wild pitch and a single by Al Rakoczy for the third inning marker and a two-run cushion for the hosts.

New Canaan's lone run came in the first inning on singles by Euch Tiani and Doug Balne combined with an error and a walk. The Rams remained winless in six outings, while Coach Bob Jackson's Eagles improved to 2-4.

"I don't believe we had a winning season in baseball during the four years I was at Warde, but it was a great group of guys on the team and Coach Jackson had an easygoing approach that made him good to play for," wrote Raineault.

"I have been in touch with John Simone and Mike Aliberti who were also on that team that beat New Canaan, and I have run into Jon Davis when each of us has been bicycling around Weston," continued Raineault. "I am grateful for the opportunity to play sports in high school, for without them I would have been lost."

Paul

Crimson Eagles Crushed Rival Tigers on Baseball Diamond at Sturges Park 48 Years Ago Today

Third baseman Mike Gorlo rapped a three-run home run, a double, and a single to lead the offensive explosion as Andrew Warde High School's baseball team racked up nine runs in the first two innings and coasted to a 10-3 victory over arch-rival Roger Ludlowe at Sturges Park on Friday, April 27, 1962.

Coach Bob Jackson's Crimson Eagles got off to a fast start and hammered Ludlowe's pitchers Greg Madden and freshman Gene Radomski for four runs in the first inning. The early rally included a pair of walks, Gorlo's single, a bases loaded double by Pete Jankowsky, and an RBI single off the bat of Les Bufferd.

Gorlo's round tripper highlighted a five-run spree in the second inning for the Eagles at the expense of Bill Murphy, who hurled the last six innings for Ludlowe. The Warde third sacker connected for his homer after Murphy walked co-captain Mike Longo and co-captain Hank Bahe singled to lead off the frame. A pair of Ludlowe errors, a walk to Jim Lippman, and an RBI single by Bill Holling produced two more runs.

Bahe survived a shaky start and went the distance on the mound for the winners to pick up the victory. All of Ludlowe's runs and three of its six hits off Bahe were registered in the home half of the first inning. Bahe issued two bases on balls, Roy Hibyan socked a double, and Bruce Tabackman and Charley Skubas rapped singles.

The Eagles were blanked by Murphy in four of their last five turns at bat. Warde's final run, scored in the sixth inning, was unearned as the result of two Ludlowe errors.

Paul

Warde Products Lead Parishioners & Bishop Lori in Song at St. Patrick Church in Bridgeport

The following was written by Tony Procaccini, Andrew Warde High School Class of 1976 reunion chair.

Andrew Warde High School 1976 classmate and 2006 30-year Reunion Committee Chair Tony Procaccini (pictured below right), Music Director of Saint Patrick Church, led the church's choir in song this morning as Bishop William E. Lori of the Diocese of Bridgeport celebrated the 10:00 Mass at the historic Bridgeport parish.

The singers were assisted by Tony's Andrew Warde classmate Stephan Lang (pictured above left) on string bass. About two weeks earlier, in one of their frequent communications, Tony realized that Steve, now living in Canada, would be in Connecticut at this time, and so he lent his string bass to Steve, who volunteered his services.

Tony and Steve have remained in contact since "finding each other" in classmates.com in 2002. The two were fellow string bassists in Warde's Concert Band, going back to September of our freshman year, 1972- 1973.

Music selections included Mozart's "Ave Verum," Joel Raney's "He Lives," and a Gospel version of "One Step, He Leads."

A reception followed in the Parish Center, where the Bishop greeted many of the parishioners.

Crimson Eagles' Nine Edged Blue Wave in Back-and-Forth Contest at Darien 36 Years Ago This Week

The Warde baseball team survived its own mistakes in the field and a comeback effort from host Darien to defeat the Blue Wave, 6-5, in 13 innings on Friday, April 24, 1974.

Pitcher Kirk Anderson went 12 innings to pick up the win for the Crimson Eagles, but he had to battle seven errors from his fielders and the never-say-die Blue Wave.

Warde broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the 12th inning with a pair of runs on RBI hits by Jeff Hannon and Tim Walsh, but Darien responded with two runs on a two-base outfield error and Eddie Lechak's run-scoring hit.

The Eagles, now 6-0 in the FCIAC and 6-1 overall, struck for two more tallies in the 13th frame as a single by Jim DelVecchio and Bob Nielsen's double scored runs.

The game wasn't decided yet, however, as Chuck Santos-Duch led off the bottom of the 13th inning with a single and moved around on a stolen base, an error, and a groundout. Reliever Buddy Peck came into the game after the stolen base to save the victory for Anderson.

Darien, which fell to 4-2 overall and 2-2 in league play, opened the scoring in the fourth inning on Santos-Duch's RBI single, but Warde answered with a run in the fifth on consecutive two-base errors. The teams traded runs in the sixth to set the stage for extra innings.

Dave Catino, who pitched the final inning for the Blue Wave, took the loss. He was the fourth pitcher used by Darien.

Paul

Please sign the AWHS Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film".

Andrew Warde High School's Class of 1960 Planning 50-Year Reunion, Saturday, June 12, in Southbury

Andrew Warde High School's Class of 1960 is planning its 50-year reunion, which will be held at the Heritage Hotel in Southbury, Connecticut, on Saturday, June 12. It was the first graduating class to attend all four grades at Warde. The high school opened in the Fall of 1956.

"I am currently helping to plan our 50-year high school reunion," wrote Peggy Weaver Quinn, pictured in her senior class photo from the 1960 Flame yearbook at the left. "We have a committee of 12 and are diligently trying to locate many missing classmates," she added.

"This Web site has helped tremendously, and I hope those who have received an email from Facebook or me do try to attend this wonderful event."

Weaver Quinn wrote, "This is the fifth reunion I have had the pleasure of organizing and am still loving it. This committee is the best and proves what a close class we had. Many of us have been friends since grammar school. Come and share your memories. There is nothing like it."

For more information, contact Peggy Quinn at 203-259-0956 or by email at mailto:pquinn2322@gmail.com or peggy.quinn@ge.com.

Paul

Please sign the AWHS Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film".

Andrew Warde High School Class of 1980 Planning 30-Year Reunion September 25 in Fairfield

The Andrew Warde High School Class of 1980 has tentatively planned a 30-year reunion for September 25, 2010, in Fairfield. No details have been posted as of yet.

"T.J. Vigorito, Lauren Flescher, and I have started a committee," wrote Nancy Mellen, a member of the AWHS Class of 1980. "Jim Akin said he'd join us as well. We will plan the reunion here in Connecticut. (The date) gives folks plenty of time to plan. We are going to keep the cost down and the fun up."

Mellen added, "I'll get discounted room rates around the area for those folks who will need them. What we need is help tracking folks down. If you know of anyone not on Facebook, ask them to join. That's a good start!"

Graduates from the Class of 1980 are invited to join the Andrew Warde High School Class of 1980 Facebook page to connect with fellow classmates.

More information will be posted when it becomes available.


Paul

Please sign the AWHS Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film".

Intramural Floor Hockey Playoffs a Big Hit in 1973

Intramural floor hockey was an exciting activity at Andrew Warde High School in the early 1970s. After all, professional hockey was quickly gaining popularity among younger Americans, and high schoolers embraced the opportunity to play the game, albeit without the costly ice hockey gear, in the school gymnasium.

The photo below shows the intensity of the action as Bob Maffei (center) reached for the ball before scoring one of his three goals for Rocky & His Friends in a game against the Kings 37 years ago this month.

The undefeated Rockey & His Friends ripped the Broilers, 3-1, in a key game to clinch first place in the WHL in the Spring of 1973. Other late-season contests saw the Sabres blank the Kings, 2-0, and the Rangers shut out the Workovers, 6-0.

The Broilers scored first on a goal by George O'Brien, but then Bob Hamilton tied the score at one apiece. Tony Tylutki scored the winning goal for Rocky & His Friends, and Chris Ford secured the victory with an insurance tally in the closing seconds to close out the scoring.

Jeff Lobdell, pictured below, starred in goal to lead the strong team effort for captain Rocky Pocock's winning squad. The team finished with a perfect 4-0 record. They eventually played the NHL champion Black Hawks, who finished their season at 4-0, for the championship.

The photo shows Lobdell blocking a shot off the stick of the Kings' Jim Hirschfield. Both Lobdell and Maffei were teammates on the WHL championship squad.

Did you play intramural floor hockey at Andrew Warde High School? What are some of your favorite memories. Feel free to add your thoughts in the "comments" link below.

Paul

Looking Back 50 Years to "Toils and Troubles," A Most Unusual Show at Andrew Warde High School

The Spring season is traditionally the time of the year most high schools present their annual on-stage productions. It was no different 50 years ago at Andrew Warde High School.

Through the hard work of Mr. Michael German, Mrs. Catherine Busch, and Mr. William Bell, and with the cooperation of willing students and parents, Toils and Troubles, sponsored by the Warde Fathers' Club, proved to be a most successful show.

The plot revolved around the escapades of two carefree college students, Luke and Ray, their girlfriends, Monica and Lynn, and the efforts of one cantakerous middle-aged nurse, Miss Dodo, to raise $100,000 for the Endicott City Hospital.

This happy group provided many hilarious moments for everyone. Luke managed to pour water down Miss Dodo's back at Happy Dale Resort while he watched his newly-found friend, Monica, leave the patio. Luke was forced to pose as a patient at the hospital when he learned that Miss Dodo was head nurse. Recognizing him, she concocted a cure called the "ice-steam treatment."

Miss Dodo explained to Luke that he had prevented her from raising the money she needed for a new hospital wing. Her story was so touching that first Luke and then everybody in the ward began to cry. Despite all her difficulties, Miss Dodo's charity ball proved to be a huge success. Luke's rich uncle forced his employees to attend the dance, and he personally donated the necessary funds.

The curtain rang down upon a happy, if somewhat exhausted, group of actors, who left a laugh-filled, congratulatory audience.

Paul