Crimson Eagles' Nine Defeated Blue Wave in Darien 42 Years Ago Today

The Andrew Warde High School 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

Sophomore Mike Abraham Pitched Warde Over McMahon on This Date in 1971

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 Seantors 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

Warde Students Took Advantage of Snow Day to Build Snow Bunny 49 Years Ago Today

One of the snowiest March days on record in Fairfield happened 49 years ago today, Wednesday, March 22, 1967, when 11.1" of snow fell. Two students at Andrew Warde High School took advantage of the unusual March Winter weather by making a snow bunny.

This photograph graced the second page of The Bridgeport Post, Friday, March 24, 1967. Click the photo for a larger view.

According to the caption, "The Easter bunny, usually soft and cuddly, gets a new twist here from two Andrew Warde High School students who took advantage of the abundant snow to make a sculpture which is expected to slide, not hop, down the bunny trail Sunday.

"Gail and Robert Contolini, a senior and junior at the Fairfield school, designed the snowy mass, which is on display on the Warde grounds. The artists and their sister, Nancy, who helped in the project, live at 114 Rosedale Street, Fairfield."

Although I'm not certain, the Nancy Contolini mentioned in the article may have been my homeroom teacher in WS-11 in the 1970s. Here is the front page of The Bridgeport Post from Wednesday, March 22, 1967:

Paul

Watch the Warde vs. Ludlowe Boys' Basketball Game

Watch the Warde vs. Ludlowe boys' basketball game, originally played this evening, courtesy of the Hersam Acorn Network. Click the arrow below to watch the complete HD re-broadcast of the thrilling contest, won by the host Mustangs, 52-48.

Paul

Andrew Warde High School's Class of 1986 to Hold 30-Year Reunion

Andrew Warde High School's Class of 1986 will hold its 30-year reunion later this year. A Web site has been created to inform classmates of the upcoming date, time, location, and pertinent reunion information.

Please click the image below to access the site and register. More information will be forthcoming soon.

Paul

Crimson Eagles Easily Defeated Flying Tigers to Sweep Boys Basketball Season Series 53 Years Ago Today

The Andrew Warde High School boys' basketball team trounced arch-rival Roger Ludlowe, 87-62, at the winners' gym 53 years ago today, Tuesday, February 5, 1963. It was the second game between the spirited Fairfield rivals that season. Warde also won the first contest, 71-48.

There were several highlights in the game. Warde co-captain Pete Jankovsky equaled Joe Magdon's school scoring record of 34 points; the Crimson Eagles climbed into a tie for second place with New Canaan in the FCIAC Eastern Division; Coach Don Feeley's cagers gained a berth in the CIAC tournament; Warde chalked up its tenth straight home court triumph; and the Eagles defeated the Tigers for the eighth time in a row.

Jankovsky and co-captain Bob Ryan combined for 12 points as Warde spurted into a 17-8 lead after the first period. Joel Blaskey topped the Tigers with six points.

The Crimson Eagles scored 21 points in the second quarter to take a commanding 38-25 halftime cushion. The second-quarter onslaught was led by Ryan (six points), Rusty Helgren (five), Jankovsky (four), Hank Gellert (four), and Wayne Gower (two), each having a hand in the scoring. Blaskey was the top scorer on offense for the Tigers with eight points, but he was limited to only two points in the second half.

Feeley's fast-breaking charges erupted for 45 points in the second half , netting 21 in the third period as Ryan hit for nine and Jankovsky added six. Ludlowe fought back gamely with 16 points, including six each by George Martin and Gary Klahr, but the Tigers trailed, 59-41, prior to the final eight-minute session.

The fourth quarter was all Jankovsky, as the senior tallied 16 points to equal the high mark established by Magdon in 1959 against Stamford Catholic.

Overall, Warde converted 21 of 27 foul shots, compared to 12 of 17 for Ludlowe.

The Crimson Eagles also won the junior varsity tilt, 46-44, as Jim Bodnar paced the winners with 19 points and Ray DeCormier tallied 18 for the Tigers.

Paul