Paul Gotham
Great Rochester Area

Hilton 6     Fairport 5

 

Hilton sent nine to the plate in the fifth inning for a come-from-behind road victory in a Monroe County crossover matchup. The Cadets needed just eight hits to improve to 6-6 on the season.

Turning Point

In a game with 19 combined base raps including three for extra bases, it was the one which traveled a few feet that changed the contest’s momentum. John Chiappone beat out what was intended to be a sacrifice bunt and set the wheels in motion for Hilton. Instead of having two outs and runners on second and third, the Cadets filled the sacks with one out. David Stirpe followed with a two-run single, and Jack Annable brought home two more with a two-out base hit to left centerfield.

Intentional Hit

Annable’s opportunity came after Fairport chose to issue an intentional base on balls to Manhattan commit and the sixth-ranked catcher in New York State, Dominic Palma. Annable jumped on a first pitch change up to give Hilton a lead it would not surrender.  

Building a Wall

With Hilton starter Michael Murphy getting mileage from his slider, Palma served as the wall for countless pitches in the dirt. Murphy stranded two runners in both the fourth and fifth innings. This was due in large part to Palma’s work behind the plate. At the dish, Palma finished 1-for-3 on the day with a double into left center and the previously mentioned intentional walk. His alert base-running led to Hilton’s fifth run in a double steal situation.

Laying Off The Slider

Fairport’s TJ Lucey finished the day 3-for-4 with an RBI and run scored. The Raiders outfielder was able to get ahead in the count and hunt fastballs. Lucey singled and scored in the sixth as Fairport got two of the first three batters in the inning aboard.

Narrowest of Margins

Hilton improved to 6-6 on the season, but Monday’s victory was the Cadets first by one run. After dropping their first four single-run games, Hilton made this one stick when Max Hendry brought home Chiappone in the seventh with an RBI ground out. Hilton dropped three one-run games during their Spring Break trip to Vero Beach, Florida. The Cadets also lost to league-rival Brockport, 12-11. 

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