Ruden Sports News

MIDDLETOWN — Zach Broderick has been the emotional leader for the Fairfield Warde baseball program, the demonstrative on-field presence who can infuse his teammates and the fans alike with energy.

Broderick again revealed his feelings near the mound following today’s 7-5 win over Southington for the Class LL title, but it was an entirely different side. When talking to a group of reporters afterward, Broderick was asked where his demonstrativeness comes from.

Broderick paused and then teared up.

“My grandma passed away two weeks ago and I did it for her,” Broderick said. “It means a lot to me. Obviously there’s a lot of emotions. Pointing at the sky is awesome, I did this for grandma.”

Broderick said that his maternal grandmother, Michelle, lived in North Carolina. He had not seen her in about a decade but she came up here last month for his Senior Day. After returning home she passed away.

Broderick today concluded a career that will etch him as one of the best clutch performers in FCIAC history. Broderick went 6 1/3 innings to get the win, making him 6-0 in postseason games the past two years to help lead the Mustangs to a pair of league titles and the school’s first state championship since 1981, when it was known as Andrew Warde.

A consolidated Fairfield High School team won the championship in 2002.

Broderick won the Mustangs’ quarterfinal round game over Glastonbury. He was hoping for a final complete game as Warde took a 7-1 lead into the final inning. Broderick had allowed just one run on four hits, with 10 strikeouts. But after giving up a walk and a single with one out, Warde coach Brett Conner called on his closer, Paddy Galvin, with Broderick going to first base.

Conner spent a little extra time talking to Broderick before making the move.

“I thanked him for everything he gave to this program, and everything he gave to this community because he brought a lot of happiness to people’s lives,” Conner said. “That was the message.”

Broderick has ranked with the best pitchers and players in the league over the past two years. There was no season in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Broderick has never disappointed in an important spot. I asked Conner what makes his ace play better in the biggest games.

“He’s a competitor,” Conner said. “He competes at the highest level. I hope to see more Zach Brodericks along the way, but for those that got an opportunity to see him and all the players play this year, they saw something special.”

I asked Broderick the same question.

“It’s just awesome, the big crowd, all the fans,” Broderick said. “And I have a great team to back me up. When we put runs up on the board and I pitch as I usually do we get the W.”