Lebanon — Only two things didn't go Old Lyme's way on Saturday, but they were enough to end the Wildcats' season.

Colton Bender's two-run homer in the first inning was the first and carried No. 3 Lyman Memorial to a 2-1 win over No. 7 Old Lyme in a quarterfinal in the CIAC Class S baseball tournament.

Senior righthander Jordan Warecke pitched a four-hitter for Old Lyme (18-8), but wasn't able to overcome a three-hit first inning that included the long homer by Quinnipiac-bound Bender.

"That's the game of baseball,'' said Old Lyme coach Randy St. Germain. "All morning I had in my mind that (Bender) is the one kid you can't let beat you. Give (Bender) credit.''

Warecke hit Kory Lazur to open the bottom of the first. Jake McAneny sacrificed him to second and Bender drove the third pitch he saw over the fence in left field.

"I usually try to start opposing hitters off with mostly fastballs,'' said Warecke. "I threw one high and inside to him on 2-0. We knew after that to approach him away.''

What nobody could know was that most of the fireworks were over in a game played in less than 90 minutes.

Old Lyme got on the board in the top of the fifth when Matt Kane led off with an infield single and, one out later, went to third on Julian Muller's double. Kane then scored on Robby Fusari's groundout.

But the second thing that didn't go Old Lyme's way hurt almost as much as the first.

Hard-hitting Jace Funaro doubled to open the sixth and moved to third on a groundout by Griffin Powers. Then Warecke hit a comebacker to Lyman pitcher Ryan Skaff and Funaro, who was running on contact, was out when Skaff threw to catcher Bender, who made the tag. Skaff (9-1) wouldn't allow another baserunner. He pitched a five-hitter with five strikeouts and no walks.

"We just gambled... we had to do something to get a run,'' said St. Germain. "We took a gamble. I'm proud of the way they fought.''

Warecke (8-2) struck out four with one walk and allowed only one hit and three baserunners after the first.

"I felt like I started pitching with a lot more intent after the first inning,'' said Warecke.

"He competed,'' Lyman coach Marty Gomez said of Warecke. "He's tall and he's got a herky-jerky motion. He made some pitches on us when he had to.''

Warecke was pitching on just three days rest for the first time all season.

"Jordan pitched really well after the first,'' said St. Germain, who loses just four players to graduation.

Funaro, who singled and doubled, is a junior.

Gomez, who coached Lyman to a state title in volleyball last November, is two wins away from another. The Eastern Connecticut Conference Division III champion Bulldogs (23-3) play No. 6 Morgan in the semis on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Muzzy Field in Bristol.

Bender, who also singled and stole two bases, is batting .622 (56-for-90).

"These are the types of games you get in the state tournament,'' said Gomez. "What do you say about Colton Bender. He's a once in a lifetime player.''

d.davis@theday.com