Sophomore Mike Abraham Tossed a Three-Hitter to Lead Warde Over McMahon 53 Years Ago Today

Sophomore Mike Abraham pitched a three-hitter to lead Andrew Warde to its second victory in as many days, a 4-1 decision over Brien McMahon in Norwalk, on this date, Tuesday, April 20, 1971. The Crimson Eagles, who defeated Danbury, 2-1, the previous day, improved to 3-1, while McMahon fell to 2-2.

The winners jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning. Abraham opened the frame with a single and moved to second base on a one-out base hit by Bob Maffei. John Zerjav laced a single to centerfield to score Abraham, and Maffei raced home from second when the centerfielder misplayed the hit.

The Senators nicked Abraham for an unearned run in the fourth inning. Felix Rodrigues led off with a single, stole second, and advanced to third when the ball was misplayed by second baseman Bill Mulligan. Rudy Gisolfi's RBI safety plated Rodrigues.

Mulligan tallied the first of two insurance runs for the Eagles in the fifth inning when he led off with a walk, went to second on a sacrifice, advanced to third on a groundout, and scored when John Favale ripped a triple to rightfield. Abraham, who struck out seven, helped his own cause with an RBI single, scoring Favale with final run for Warde.

The Senators threatened in the last of the seventh inning when starting and losing pitcher Gary Lawrence lined a two-out triple to leftfield, but Abraham cut off any scoring hopes when he retired Dennis Dudas on a fly-out to center to end the game.

Paul