In many ways, it was fitting that Saturday’s game between Harrison and Rye was one defined by its pitchers. On May 4, the Huskies and Garnets squared off in the ninth annual Andrew Gurgitano Memorial Game—an event played to honor the life of Gurgitano, a Harrison hurler who passed away suddenly at the age of 16 in 2014—and it was the arms that shined brightest, as the Garnets outlasted the Huskies with a 3-1 extra-inning victory.
Prior to the game, Harrison senior Marco Citro and Rye senior Shep Griffiths were recognized for their sportsmanship and competitiveness with the Andrew Gurgitano Memorial Scholarship Award, an honor that speaks to the late Gurgitano’s commitment to his family, community and teammates. The mound showdown between Citro and Griffiths lived up to the advanced billing, with Griffiths fanning eight batters over 6.1 innings and Citro striking out 10 in seven innings of work.
Griffiths said it was an honor to get the ball in this annual matchup between rivals.
“This game always means a lot,” said Griffiths. “Every year, coming into this game against Harrison, we know we are going to have to try harder and have everyone step up.”
Charlie Margiloff, who came in in the seventh inning of a 1-1 game, picked up the win after the Garnets scored two runs on a throwing error in the top of the eighth.
Margiloff walked the first batter he faced but quickly settled in to record the win.
“A lot of times, I think a lot of my success comes from the dugout and the people cheering me on,” said Margiloff. “So I just shook it off, knew I had the guys behind me and went back to work.”
Offensively, Margiloff also turned in a 2-for-4 day at the plate, while Dillon Schmidt had an RBI single. Tommy Broderick dashed home in the eighth inning for what would be the game-winner. Harrison was led by a one-hit, RBI day from Michael Olsey.
With the loss, Harrison fell to 10-7 on the year, having lost its last four games. The Huskies close out the season with games against New Rochelle, Byram Hills and Tappan Zeal.
The Garnets, currently in fifth place of the Class A standings, are 10-6 and will take on Edgemont, Pearl River and John Jay East Fishkill before closing out the regular season with a May 13 tilt against John Jay Cross River. The Wolves—at 9-6-1—may well be a future playoff opponent for Rye.
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