Norwalk needed only one hit to produce three runs in the sixth inning of a come-from-behind 4-2 win over Fairfield Ludlowe on Thursday.
That inning pushed the fourth-seeded Bears into the FCIAC semifinals, where they will meet No. 1 Westhill (19-2) on Friday at 5 p.m. at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield.
The Bears struggled to piece together consistent offense against right-hander Aliza Guerrero all afternoon, but they caught a few breaks in the sixth inning, when the Falcons committed two errors.
For the Bears, simply putting the ball in play was enough.
“We just try and put it out there and challenge the other team,” Norwalk head coach Elaine Gratrix said. “We can’t control what they do, we can’t make them make errors or whatever.”
*To no surprise, both teams were quite anxious to return to the field after three straight days of postponements due to the rain.
“It’s been a tough week, just trying to stay focused and trying to stay ready, and never knowing when you’re playing,” Gratrix said. “Obviously we were eager to get out here today.”
“Very anxious,” Norwalk pitcher Patti Sciglimpaglia said of her team’s emotions. “We were working really hard in the gym.”
*Third baseman Brenna Martini had a solid afternoon at the plate for Fairfield Ludlowe. The Falcons’ sophomore went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI.
*Fairfield Ludlowe head coach Tony Samuelian attributed some of the Falcons’ defensive miscues in the sixth inning to inexperience. The Falcons have just five seniors on the team.
“You have to have experience to get out of innings like that, especially in the playoffs. The kids just know the pressure’s on,” Samuelian said.
