Westport Junior Legion Loses On Bases-Loaded Walk in Ninth

It was shaping up to be a Hollywood-like finish for Westport Junior American Legion pitcher Jimmy Kopak: gets hit in the head with a throw, stays in the game and pitches a complete-game shutout.

But things didn't quite work out that way, as Wilton rallied from a three-run deficit in the bottom of the seventh, then defeated Westport, 4-3, on a bases-loaded walk in the ninth Monday night at Weston High School.

Reliever Thomas Cirillo walked three batters in the ninth, including Zach Ellenthal on a 3-2 pitch with two outs to force in the winning run.

The heartbreaking defeat dropped Westport to 11-7 and damaged its hopes of winning the Zone Four title. Westport entered Monday's contest two games behind first-place Stamford.

Kopak, who showed a great deal of guts to stay in the game, ended up taking the loss. He allowed four runs and six hits in eight-plus innings with four walks and six strikeouts.

In the bottom of the fourth with Westport holding a 1-0 lead, Wilton runner Connor Buhler took off from first on a steal attempt.

The throw by catcher James Frusciate nailed Kopak, who fell to the ground. The ball caromed into right field, allowing Buhler to go to third on a pitch that struck out Quinn Hunter for the second out of the inning.

"He turned his back and got hit in the back of the head," the first-base umpire said. "He didn't go down (duck). He stayed up."

It didn't seem possible that Kopak would be able to stay in the game. But after a few moments, he jumped to feet with no help and returned to the mound, apparently none the worse for wear.

Kopak stranded Buhler at third, then even added RBI singles in his next two at-bats to help his own cause.

Through six innings, Wesport played a crisp contest, manufacturing runs in the third, fifth and seventh innings.

Leadoff hitter Zach Mitchell was involved in the offense in all three innings.

He created the run in the third by hustling a hit to shallow center field into a double. He then stole third and scored on a single by Nick Keidaisch.

In the fifth, Mitchell Gallagher reached a two-base throwing error, moved to third on Mitchell's bunt single and came home on the first of Kopak's two RBI singles.

Two innings later, the speedy Mitchell led off with a walk, advanced to third on a wild pickoff attempt and trotted home on another single by Kopak.

The 3-0 lead seemed like more than enough for Kopak, who allowed only two hits through six - a single by Zach Ellenthal in the third and a single by Alex Posson in the fifth.

Wilton's offense came alive in the seventh, however, erupting for four hits. Pinch hitter Jesse Hahn's RBI single got the hosts on the board. After a second run scored on a wild pitch, Brian Delosso delivered the tying single with still no outs in the inning.

Even after allowing three runs, Kopak saved the game, making a lunging grab on pinch hitter Austin Delaney's bunt attempt to start a double play.

Kopak, who was well-rested after spending a week in New Orleans doing missionary work for his church, returned to the mound in the eighth and rebounded with a perfect inning.

But he finally left after a leadoff walk in the ninth to winning pitcher Garrett Buenaval, who tossed two innings in relief of Wilton starter Drew Clevenger to earn the victory.

After a sacrifice, Joe DiPasquale was walked intentionally. Cirillo struck out Delosso for the second out, but then walked Delaney to load the bases, leaving no room for error.

The 3-2 pitch to Ellenthal was called high, ending an intensely fought contest.

The teams play again at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Wilton High School.