Times Correspondent

NORWALK — The word trap game is bantered about easily these days, but D.J.Mulvaney said the Westhill Vikings inability to push across runs in keys situations had more to do with Westhill's 4-1 loss to Norwalk than last Wednesday's looming city championship match with Stamford.

The Vikings' scoring crisis started in the top of the first inning when Norwalk wriggled out of a bases-loaded jam then proceeded to score all the runs they needed to carry the Bears to the win.

Mulvaney said his team definitely had no reason to take a team like Norwalk lightly.

"I just think we got out-played," said Mulvaney. "I don't think it was a case of looking to far ahead. We were oh-for at the plate with runners on and (had) 10 or 11 guys left on base. You're not going to beat too many teams (when that happens)."

The Bears (8-7 overall and 7-6 in FCIAC) were hardly an offensive juggernaut, but they did enough damage to win.

Senior Matt Iannazzo smacked a home run and a single and Kory Delbene added two base hits. The key to the victory was the pitching of Andy Merritt, who came on in relief with two runners on and one out in the third inning to shut down the Vikings the rest of the way.

Norwalk coach Angelo Bruno said it was an important win, but still only counts as one victory. He and his team have their eyes on qualifying for post-season and having Merritt as a No. 2 option behind their ace, Ianazzo, could make a big difference.

"It was a nice win for us because we're obviously looking to get in the (FCIAC) playoffs," said Bruno. "If we can get Andrew throwing like that like I knew he could throw all year long then we'll be in good shape going down the stretch."

Merritt (3-1) allowed four base hits and walked one while striking out. Meanwhile, Westhill's David Fogel (2-1) gave a gutty effort going 3 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on eight hits before giving way to Joey Communale, who shut down the Bears the rest of the way.

"Fogel settled in nicely (after the first inning) and Joey (Communale) gave us a chance to come back," said Mulvaney. "But the offense let us down today."

The Norwalk grabbed the lead with its second batter as Iannazzo sent a 0-1 pitch sailing out onto Beacon Street. After Fogel recorded a second out, he gave up a walk and four straight hits to build the Bears' a 3-0 lead.

The Bears forced another run across on an error before Westhill catcher Jon Rather picked Norwalk starting pitcher John Cohen off second base to end the inning.

Cohen struggled through his limited stint allowing as Westhill put at least two base runners in each of the first three innings. In the second, he walked two batters then Fogel followed with a single but Norwalk's Chris Hines threw out Bobby Horn at the plate for the third out.

"We just couldn't get the big hit," said Mulvaney. "It's even worse when you get guys on and you can't come through. In the first inning, if Rather gets a hit, we're up 2-0 but instead, we don't get any runs and they're up 4-0 (after Norwalk's half of the inning)."

The next inning, Westhill finally broke through and scored.

Cohen gave up a single and two walks before a throwing error allowed a run to score. Merritt trotted in to restore order by inducing to pop outs by Westhill and keeping the Norwalk lead at 4-1.

The Vikings last gasp came in the top of fifth inning. Rivera, Greg Smith and Rather singled to load the bases with nobody out.

Merritt hung tough getting a fly ball to shallow center field for one out and a ground ball to third for a twin-killing to end the threat and, in retrospect, the game.

Westhill (10-3 in FCIAC and 12-3 overall) could only manage a harmless single over the last two innings.

The Vikings week was no easier with Wednesday's contest against Stamford (12-1 in conference and 14-1) and a Friday showdown with Fairfield Ludlowe 13-0 and 14-1) on the schedule.

"We have a good group of seniors, so we'll find out a lot about our character in our next games," said Mulvaney. "If we come out and play (to our capabilities) then we know the seniors are doing their job leading us down the right path."

For coverage of Wednesday's Stamford-Westhill City Championship game, visit us online at www.thestamfordtimes.com.