2025 FCIAC Baseball Champions!

**Note: This blog post is from my perspective as a Ludlowe baseball assistant coach and has no affiliation with my job in the Fairfield Public Schools athletic departments. Additionally, while we may echo similar thoughts, this does not necessarily represent the thoughts and opinions of Ludlowe Baseball Head Coach Ken Geriak or anyone else on the baseball staff.  **

On Friday afternoon in Stamford, the Fairfield Ludlowe Falcons baseball team captured the 2025 FCIAC Championship. 

The Falcons defeated Norwalk 4-2 to win the title. It's the second FCIAC Championship for Ludlowe baseball, the previous one coming in 2010, when the Falcons defeated Greenwich. The Falcons lost to Staples in their only other appearance in 2019. 

Ludlowe came into the FCIAC tournament as the number seven seed. Norwalk was the top seed. 

In the quarterfinals, Ludlowe defeated cross-town rival Warde, 4-3. Ian Moore's two run single in the top of the seventh was the difference in that game. 

In the semifinals, the Falcons took down St. Joseph 3-0 behind a complete-game three hitter from Tyler Geriak. 

In the championship, Luke Stasko threw four scoreless innings, and Mason Holcomb got the win in relief with three innings allowing two runs. 

Kenny Luczaj had two hits, and a run scored. Dylan Davis and Ian Moore, who was named FCIAC Championship game MVP, each had a hit and run scored. 

All three teams that Ludlowe defeated in the FCIAC tournament were teams they lost to during the regular season, including losing to Warde twice. 

This was a total team effort. The players, first and foremost, and the coaching staff, as well as the support staff. It's also so much about the parents who help out and support their children. 

The players are the ones who perform on the field. So much of the credit goes to them and deservedly so. 

Those players include Jack Adwin, Ian Moore, Cristian Negron, Joe Calabro, Luke Stasko, Kenny Luczaj, Kieran Scruggs, Jackson Frame, Leo Hood, Aiden Goodson, Mason Holcomb, Jake Palladino, Eliot Kwan, Brennan Davis, Chris Wolf, Jackson Foldeak, Tyler Geriak, Cole Stotler, Dylan Davis, Ryan Frame, Mason Dennett, Ryan Love, Cooper Hein, Cam Colin and Hudson Kofoed (with a shout out to Mikey Clear and Trip Keyes who were a part of the bench crew for the semis and final.) 

It's also about the alum who have built the foundation. And so many others. 

Shout out to head coach Ken Geriak as the leader of the pack. 

So proud of everyone. 

There's so much coverage out there to read, watch and listen to, and you know I've been paying attention to it all. Head to the Ludlowe Baseball Instagram and Twitter accounts for links to most, if not all of it. 

One job done, now it's on to the state tournament beginning on Monday. 

Falcon Pride! 

Champions Crowned

Trumbull celebrates the title

This is championship week around spring high school sports in Connecticut. 

On Wednesday, the FCIAC crowned champions in baseball, softball boys' volleyball and girls' lacrosse. 

Congrats to Trumbull, Ludlowe, Ridgefield and New Canaan, respectively. 

I went down to Cubeta to watch the baseball game and hang with Rob Adams as he called the game on Robcasting Radio. 

Trumbull defeated Wilton 7-1 behind a terrific pitching performance from the Eagles Ace, Trevor Schuelke. Schuelke threw a complete game, allowing just the one run (which came in the seventh) on six hits, while striking out eight, hitting one batter, and walking none. He was named FCIAC tournament MVP. 

I didn't really care too strongly who won. Two good programs led by two great coaches. That said, I am happy for all my friends in Trumbull who I have gotten to know through the Babe Ruth and Little League broadcasting. We've gotten to know the kids, families and coaches and the relationships don't end when the run each summer ends. It's also cool to see how the kids develop as ballplayers. 

As much talk about how much I love Fairfield, there's a lot to like about sports, and specifically baseball in the town of Trumbull. From their Little Leage programs to what Mike Buswell does with the Babe Ruth program, to Legion, through high school. These are great ballplayers, what seem to be great kids, who care about playing for each other and their town. I know I've talked about this before. Probably too many times. 

It's the first FCIAC Championship for Trumbull since 2012. Congrats to Phil Pacelli, Buddy Bray, and the entire staff. 

Coach Bray gets a championship as the head coach in basketball in the winter and now a championship as an assistant in the spring. 

It was also a great run for Wilton, as the Warriors beat the top seed, Warde, in the semifinal to advance to the championship. 

For Ludlowe softball, this was their fourth FCIAC Championship in a row. The Falcons defeated Ridgefield 5-2 behind a complete game from Alex Lewey, who was named FCIAC tournament MVP. Lewey has been a part of all four championships over her time at Ludlowe. 

Head Coach, Adam Laliberte, who was an assistant previously, gets the championship in his first year as head coach. 

More champions will be named in the league, then we will get into the state tournament. Before we know it, the spring season and the high school sports year will be over. 

Congrats to all the champions and best of luck to everyone going forward. 

Super Saturday - FCIAC Boys Basketball Style

During intros before Ludlowe/Ridgefield

One of the best, if not the best, days of the high school sports year is the FCIAC boys' basketball quarterfinals. That was this Saturday, also known as Super Saturday. 

Eight teams, four games. All at Fairfield Warde. 

Lots of great players and coaches. 

Tremendous job by those running and working the day. From Dave Schulz and Matt Narwold to Jack Kelly, Franey Donavan, Art Cockerham, and so many others. A total team effort for a long day. 

On the court, the first game saw an upset, with the six-seed Danbury, knocking off the three-seed Stamford, 50-46. 

In game two, Trumbull got out to a 15-3 lead over Warde after a quarter and came away with a 57-38 victory, despite Warde cutting the deficit to four in the fourth quarter. 

The third game, much like the previous one, saw a team jump out to a convicting first quarter lead. Staples led Wilton 19-5 after one period, in route to a 60-43 win. 

The nightcap saw the number-eight seed Ludlowe get out to a strong 12-6 lead after the first quarter, before the top seed Ridgefield outscored the Falcons 20-9 in the second quarter to take a halftime lead. The Tigers would eventually go on to win by a score of 55-37. 

Trumbull will meet Danbury in the first semifinal on Tuesday at 5:30pm at Wilton High School. Staples and Ridgefield will face off in the nightcap at 7:15pm. The winners head to Thursday's championship. 

Listen to the semifinals and championship on Robcasting Radio with Rob Adams on the call. 

Softball Weekend

Ludlowe/New Canaan from Sturges Park on Friday

I saw more high school softball over the last three days than I have in a three day stretch ever. 

I saw two games. Normally, softball conflicts with baseball, so I don't get to watch much. However, some time off gave me the flexibility. 

When I'm watching these games, I have trouble just standing or sitting there and watching. I'm not a good fan. I am always going through in my head what I would do in certain situations or get frustrated when things don't happen the way I think they should. I caught myself multiple times yelling or about to yell things. 

On Friday, I saw Ludlowe host New Canaan in an FCIAC quarterfinal matchup and Sunday I saw Warde at St. Joseph in an FCIAC quarterfinal matchup of their own. 

It was a split weekend for the Fairfield schools. Ludlowe, the top seed in the FCIAC tournament, defeated New Canaan 8-3. St. Joseph, the three seed, defeated the six seed Warde 8-1. 

Warde/SJ from St. Joseph High School on Sunday

Ludlowe will face Trumbull on Monday at 3pm at Fairfield University in the FCIAC semifinals. St. Joseph will face Norwalk at 5pm in the other semifinal, also at Fairfield Univ. The championship is Thursday at 5pm in Fairfield. The championship will be broadcast on Robcasting Radio. 

Also this weekend, among other games, was the baseball quarterfinals. Warde defeated Norwalk 17-1 to advance to face Staples on Monday in the semifinals at 4pm at Cubeta Stadium in Stamford. The other semifinal will feature Westhill and Trumbull at 6:30pm. The championship is Wednesday at 7pm in Stamford. Hear both semis and the championship on Robcasting Radio. 

Warde and Staples have played twice this season, each team winning their home game. Staples won in walk-off fashion in a non-league game back on April 10, 5-4. Warde won 7-0 on May 1, behind a three-hit shutout from Griffin Polley. 

It's could be a busy and crazy week for me. Going to try to get to as much as I can, but Ludlowe baseball, where we have practices, is my priority. I will be following and listening to as much as I can when I can't be at games. 

Playoff Craziness

The Fairfield student section at hockey. The Nest and Stampede together #OneTown

It was another busy week of sports and a crazy last couple of days. Whenever I think things are going to be quiet, they aren't. 

We will start with Friday night. I wish I could have been in multiple places at once. 

The Ludlowe girls basketball team was playing at home vs East Hartford in the second round of the state tournament. The Warde girls basketball team was also playing in the second round of the state tournament at Sacred Heart Academy in Hamden. Finally, the FCIAC boys basketball championship between Danbury and Staples was taking place in Wilton. 

Well, I stayed in Fairfield. 

The Ludlowe girls, coming in with a 23-0 record (including playoffs) and coming off an FCIAC Championship, had a touch battle with East Hartford. Ludlowe trailed after one quarter 5-2, and 12-6 at halftime. 

The third quarter saw Ludlowe hit some big shots, including two three's by Kate Cimador and the Falcons led 22-18 after three. In the fourth, Ludlowe was able to increase their lead and come away with the 10-point victory 35-25. 

Ludlowe will host Conard on Wednesday at 7pm in the state quarterfinals. 

After getting home from Ludlowe, I followed Warde and SHA through texts I was getting and then I turned it on via NFHS. Warde took down No. 6 Sacred Heart 46-44 on Emmy Carley's buzzer-beating layup. 

pic.twitter.com/FIW4pCdWs9

— Ethan Fry (@ethanfry) March 4, 2023

The Mustangs will travel to Newtown for the state quarterfinals on Wednesday. 

In the game I didn't make, Danbury defeated Staples for the FCIAC boys basketball championship. You can watch it on demand here with Rob Adams on the call on Local Live. 

To today we go. 

It was the FCIAC boys ice hockey championship. 

Fairfield was returning to the championship game for the second year in a row after falling to Ridgefield in OT last year. 

Once again, regardless out of outcome, it would be the final game of the season for Fairfield as they are not eligible for the state tournament. 

Darien would come away with the victory by a 3-0 score. 

The Blue Wave got on the board with 8:24 to play in the first period on a goal by Aidan Elders. 

In the second period, Darien would extend their lead as Elliott Lancaster netted a goal 6:27 into the second period. 

Darien would get a late third quarter goal as insurance. 

It's a tough way for a tremendous season for Fairfield to end. Congrats to Darien on the FCIAC Championship. 

Next week sees more basketball before baseball starts next weekend. 

Shout out to "The Nest" for a great turnout at girls basketball on Friday and to "The Nest" and "The Stampede" for the turnout at hockey today. The student support is so important. 

Super Saturday of FCIAC Basketball

Warde's Brendan O'Hara plays defense against Trumbull (My photo)

It was Super Saturday in high school boys basketball, also known as the FCIAC boys basketball quarterfinals. 

Eight teams, four games, all at Fairfield Warde. Always a fun, long, crazy day. 

The schedule and matchups were as follows: 

No. 3 Danbury vs. No. 6 Stamford, Noon

No. 2 Warde vs. No. 7 Trumbull, 2 p.m.

No. 4 Staples vs. No. 5 Wilton, 5 p.m.

No. 1 Ridgefield vs. No. 8 New Canaan, 7 p.m.

Danbury and Stamford was back and forth throughout the game. A good battle. The Hatters did enough late to come away with an 11-point victory, 52-41, but the game was closer to the score. 

Danbury was led by Christian Jeffers 24 points, including nine points from the foul line. 

Game number two featured Warde, on their home floor, taking on Trumbull. The Mustangs took a 17-10 lead after one quarter and built a double-digit lead in the second quarter. At halftime, Warde led by 10 in a high-scoring affair, 40-30. 

Trumbull cut Warde's lead to four late in the third, before Jack Plesser's buzzer-beating three-pointer put the Mustangs up seven, 54-47 after three quarters.

No. 3 Danbury vs. No. 6 Stamford, Noon No. 2 Warde vs. No. 7 Trumbull, 2 p.m. No. 4 Staples vs. No. 5 Wilton, 5 p.m. No. 1 Ridgefield vs. No. 8 New Canaan, 7 p.m.

Video of Jack Plesser’s third quarter buzzer beater. (Video posted earlier accidentally got deleted) #ctbb pic.twitter.com/qinNlPUYCO

— Shawn Sailer (@ShawnSailer) February 26, 2023

Warde held a 62-54 lead with 4:47 to play before Trumbull began to chip away. With 1:58 left, Trumbull took a one-point lead, 65-64. 

Warde tied the game at 65 with 1:30 left and the game would remain that was through the end of regulation. Both teams has a chance to win in the closing seconds, but turnovers hurt both teams. 

Overtime was a free-throw contest, as only one basket was made, but Trumbull hit more free throws to come away with a 76-70 victory. 

Luca Antonio and Brandon Fowler each had 18 points for Trumbull, while Sean Racette added 12. Jack Plesser had 33 points for Warde in the loss, which was the high for all scorers across the four games. 

To the nightcap portion of the day. 

Staples and Wilton were up next. This was a good battle between two good, similar teams. Both teams can shoot and and are also physical. Staples kept a lead throughout much of the game and came away with a 10 point victory, 53-43. 

Samson Clachko led Staples with 14 points, while Chris Zajac and Cody Sale each had 13 for the Wreckers in the victory. 

The final game of the night was the top seeded Ridgefield Tigers taking on the New Canaan Rams. Two teams that play great defense, slow the game down and run good offensive sets. 

This often means low-scoring games. 

This was the case with this game. 

Ridgefield held a 9-7 lead after one thanks to a buzzer-beating floater in the lane by Evan Kozedba. 

End one: Ridgefield 9 New Canaan 7. Evan Kozdeba floater beats the buzzer. #ctbb pic.twitter.com/dx6zwO46hv

— Shawn Sailer (@ShawnSailer) February 26, 2023 

At the break, Ridgefield led by three 21-18. 

The Tigers tried to pull away in the third as the built up a seven point lead, 33-24 with two minutes left in the quarter, and were getting New Canaan into foul trouble, with seven team fouls in the first six minutes of the half. 

After three, Ridgefield led 35-27. 

Ridgefield just extended their lead in the fourth to pull away for the double-digit victory 47-33.  

Ridgefield was led by Sean Sosa's 10 points. He was the only Tiger is double-figures as they got very balanced scoring across the board. Jack Hladick led New Canaan with nine points. 

Danbury will face Trumbull in the first game of the FCIAC semifinals on Tuesday at 5:30pm at Wilton High School and Staples and Ridgefield will follow. The winners will meet in the FCIAC Championship on Thursday.*

*The dates are subject to change with possible snow this week. Visit FCIAC.net for updates/changes. 

It was interesting to see no media at the games. Normally, there are reporters from multiple outlets and often multiple reporters from the same outlet doing different things at these games. Also, we need professional, qualified broadcasters on these games. It's disappointing as the student-athletes and teams deserve the coverage. 

Falcons Are The Champions

The Ludlowe girls basketball team continued their perfect season on Thursday as they won the FCIAC Championship, defeating St. Joseph, 52-42 at Trumbull High School. 

It's the first FCIAC girls basketball title for Ludlowe girls basketball. Fairfield High won the title back-to-back in 1997 and 1998 and Warde won the championship in 2009. 

Ludlowe got out to a lead in the first quarter, thanks to two Rory Kudzy three-pointers, and led 10-8 after one. The Falcons never looked back. 

Ludlowe increased their lead to 16-10 with 3:25 left in the half, and then led 19-12 at the break. 

The Falcons built up a double-digit lead in the third quarter, taking a lead as large as 13, before finishing the third up 11, 39-28. 

St. Joseph chipped away in the fourth, cutting the deficit to as little as five, 44-39. Ludlowe was able to hit free throws down the stretch 

Huge congratulations to Head Coach Sara Kinsley and her coaching staff. Kinsley was named FCIAC Coach of the Year.  

Caitlin Finnegan, who had 14 points, was named FCIAC Championship Game MVP. Finnegan's presence was felt on the defensive end as well, blocking shots and altering many others. 

Kudzy and Phoebe Shostak each finished with 13 points. 

Madison Roman was named FCIAC Player of the Year, which was announced at halftime, along with the All-FCIAC teams. 

Other Falcons receiving FCIAC honors included, Kaleigh Sommers first team, Finnegan second team,  Kudzy 3rd team, and Shostak and Kate Cimador Honorable Mention.

This team has battled adversity, both on and off the court this year, and play for each other and care about the team. That's what makes a successful team. 

Ludlowe currently sits at 23-0 and turns their attention to the state tournament. They earned a first round bye and will open up at home on next Friday, March 3rd. 

DeJa Vu

It was a good couple day for sports in Fairfield. On Wednesday, Ludlowe softball won the FCIAC softball championship. On Thursday, Warde baseball won the FCIAC baseball championship.

If those sentences sound familiar, it's because they are. Both Ludlowe softball and Warde baseball are now repeat league champs, having also won in 2021. 

Ludlowe softball defeated Danbury on Wednesday 2-0 behind an Ellie Gallagi two-run single in the sixth inning as well as strong pitching from Alex Lewey (5.1 innings) and Anna Gedacht (1.1 innings). Gallagi was named the game's MVP..

On Thursday, Warde baseball took an early lead against Westhill and never looked back, picking up a 4-1 victory. John Heitzman and Zach Broderick each delivered RBI singles. A bases loaded walk gave Warde another run and the Mustangs led 3-0 after one inning. 

That was all Broderick would need on the mound as he allowed one (unearned) run while throwing a complete game. Broderick would be named MVP for the second consecutive FCIAC Championship. 

Warde tacked on a fourth run on a Broderick sacrifice fly in the second inning. Westhill's run came in the sixth as a steal with runners at the corners led to the run. 

Congrats to both team on their championships. Great players who are also great kids. One Town. 

On a related note, Local Live is the official broadcaster of the FCIAC. They are supposed to be exclusive. Disappointing not to see them at softball at all and there only be a video stream and no broadcaster at baseball. 

Final: Ludlowe 2 Danbury 0. Falcons are FCIAC Champions. #ctsb pic.twitter.com/0VYEwyzPrw

— Shawn Sailer (@ShawnSailer) May 25, 2022

Final: Warde 4 Westhill 1. Mustangs are FCIAC Champions! #ctbase pic.twitter.com/5TsrDSpkva

— Shawn Sailer (@ShawnSailer) May 27, 2022