By PAUL GOTHAM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A big sixth inning proved the difference, and Webster Thomas went on to defeat Greece Arcadia, 4-1 in Monroe County Division-2 action Wednesday.
Trailing 1-0, Damian Wright and Ben Hufland led the decisive frame with back-to-back singles.
“The kids kept saying ‘we need the leadoff guy on,'” Thomas coach Kevin Neenan commented. “That was the only inning we got the leadoff guy on, and we scored some runs.”
Ethan Maltman beat out a bunt to load the bases, and Steve Minardo delivered the first run with a squeeze bunt.
“It was a fastball away and I took it down the first base line,” Minardo explained. “We always go over that in practice, so it was pretty routine.”
Joe Paul brought home two more runs when his hard hit ball skipped just past Maltman and handcuffed the Arcadia shortstop. Ryan Hill capped the inning with an RBI sacrifice fly.
“We did a good job of getting our bunts down,” Neenan noted. “Kids did an excellent job of that and doing the little things.”
Steve Minardo safety squeeze gets @ThomasTitans on the scoreboard. pic.twitter.com/OxLQX4Iple
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) May 10, 2017
After leaving runners aboard in each of the first three innings, Thomas sent nine to the plate in the sixth.
“That was a good comeback win,” Neenan said. “That’s kinda been the thing this year with the kids. They just hanging in there and hang in in there. We were struggling to string it together a little bit. We left six guys on early and just couldn’t get the big hit.”
Justin LaLoggia held Arcadia hitless through the first three innings and steered his way out of trouble in the fourth and fifth innings.
“He’s a junior and each starts keeps getting a little better,” Neenan said of the Thomas starter. “He pitched well against Hilton and Victor. He keeps us in games and doing the little things that matter.”
The right-hander struck out four, walked four and allowed four hits. He stranded two runners in the fourth and left the bases loaded in the fifth.
“The fastball was really locating low,” LaLoggia explained. “I just knew I had to get ground balls. I had to throw strikes and find a way to get outs. I knew my defense behind me would make the plays.”
Devin Mulcahy fanned three over two scoreless to close out the game.
“Devin has done a great job for us this year,” Neenan said. He’s ready to pitch any time we need him, and he’s a good guy to come in. He’s very calm about the situation. Comes in with confidence and gets the job done for us.”
Thomas Finnerty started and tossed five shutout innings for Arcadia. The senior right-hander retired the last seven he faced.
Arcadia’s Justin Augustine worked a one-out walk in the fourth and stole second. One out later, Ben Bell plated the lone Arcadia run with a single in the right-center gap. Ray Mineo singled, but Arcadia did not capitalize.
Finnerty rapped a one out single in the fifth. Kevin Blum followed with what looked like a base hit up the middle until Hill made a diving stop for a force out at second base. Nate Yantz singled to put runners on the corners and then stole second. Thomas chose to walk Augustine and set up the force play with bases loaded. LaLoggia got the ground ball to end the inning. Arcadia’s rally was short-circuited, and Hill’s defensive gem behind the bag played a pivotal role.
“Pitching and defense has been what is our key all year,” Neenan said. “That’s how we’re staying in games.”
Hufland collected two hits and a walk and reached base four times for Thomas. Wright had two hits.
Augustine walked four times in the game. Finnerty singled and walked.
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