History was made last Friday when Brien McMahon and Norwalk High School baseball teams took to the diamond under the lights at McMahon for the first time in either team's existence. McMahon [10-3, 8-3 in the FCIAC] prevailed, 1-0, but it took eight hard-fought innings for the Senators to score.

A battle on the mound was the theme of the game, with two college-bound pitchers clashing. Matt Iannazzo, of Norwalk, who will pitch at the University of Pittsburgh next year, and Rocco Cundari, of McMahon, who will pitch at Bryant University, threw pitch, after pitch, after pitch for eight full innings under a misty, windy, cold May night. The look of determination in the eyes of both pitchers' created an intensity in which their teammates followed. Behind the plate, both teams were hitting well, but none were able to score until the top of the eighth inning.

In an unfortunate turn of events for Norwalk [7-7, 6-6 in the FCIAC], McMahon's only run was walked in on a pressure-filled, bases-loaded situation for Iannazzo. Iannazzo began the inning with a strikeout, but a line drive single to short from McMahon's Zach Ruther put a runner on base with one out, creating a precarious situation for the Bears with McMahon's top of the order up at

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bat.

Third basemen Taso Petridis came up to the plate and was given the bunt signal, in hopes of advancing Ruther to second and possibly, due to the wet field conditions, make it to first base himself. But then Ruther took matters into his own hands and stole second on a special play, forcing a run down with Ruther making it to second safely, narrowly missing the tag. Petridis put down the bunt but was tagged out running the first base line, advancing Ruther to third base.

With two outs in the eighth inning, McMahon's clutch hitter, Kenny Coppola, was never given the chance to drive in a run and was intentionally walked. McMahon catcher Ben Jerrild, another heavy-hitter for the Senators, also drew a walk and with two outs and the bases loaded, the Bears were finding themselves in a difficult situation. Todd Lyons also drew a walk, scoring Ruther from third, giving the Senators the first and only run of the game. Iannazzo then struck out Brian Mulvey, getting himself out of a situation that could have been worse.

"It [the intentional walk] put me in a tough position but I should have pitched out," Iannazzo said.

But the Senators' defense and Cundari's pitching held on when Norwalk came to the plate in the bottom of the eighth, holding off the Bears and winning the FCIAC league contest, 1-0.

"I knew I put Matt in a tough situation," Norwalk coach Angelo Bruno said. "I took a shot at it. Matt pitched his heart out and he is a great player. Maybe it was a little too much pressure, but no matter what Matt is going to battle. If the same situation were to happen tomorrow, I would do it again. Matt can only do so much, he is only one person."

McMahon coach John Cross agrees with Bruno's call on the intentional walk by one of McMahon's best hitters.

"I never though Matt would walk in the run," Cross said. "But I would have done the same thing as Angelo did, especially with the moist conditions."

"I knew it would be a classic game tonight," Cross added. "Two guys who dominate high school pitching were battling for the win. The intensity was there and the night game atmosphere was great. It's a huge win; anytime you can beat Norwalk is special and the fact we beat them twice in one season makes it extra special."

Iannazzo finished the game with only one hit [a seventh-inning bunt single by Lyons], nine strikeouts and six walks. He also singled in the first inning off Cundari. Korey Delbene also had a single in the seventh.

"Playing under the lights made the game a spectacle," Iannazzo said. "It was a fun game to play in and a great event to put on. But it changed the game. Playing under the lights and during the day are two completely different games. I think we adapted well under the circumstances and had good at bats. Honestly, Rocco out-pitched me today."

"We couldn't hit him today and when we did, their defense made the plays," Cundari said.

Cundari finished with two hits, 10 strikeouts and five walks.

"We were worried about Matt the whole time," Cross said. "He puts it down at the plate. Rocco wanted it real bad and he fought for it."

"I have been waiting all year for this game," Cundari said. "I knew I had to come out strong and I knew it was going to be big. It is the most fun game I have ever pitched and something I will remember forever."