By PAUL GOTHAM
IRONDEQUOIT, N.Y. — The day was intended to celebrate the career of Irondequoit head coach Tim Mabb.
Hilton’s Cadets crashed the party.
Morgan Kunigan hurled six strong innings, and David Stirpe paced the offense as Hilton held on to beat Irondequoit, 6-5 Monday afternoon.
Kunigan struck out eight and walked four. The senior right-hander faced the minimum over three innings.
“He was throwing strikes and working ahead,” Hilton head coach Jeff Murphy said. “He likes to work quick and he relied on his defense.”
Kunigan held Irondequoit without a hit for the first two innings before allowing three runs in the third. He worked out of a bases loaded jam in the fifth inning getting a routine fly ball and ended his day with a clean sixth striking out the final batter he faced.
“He just controls the game,” Murphy added. “His pace and accuracy kept them off balance. He did a great job.”
Stirpe finished 2-for-3 on the day. The senior got Hilton on the scoreboard with an RBI single in the first as the Cadets took advantage of an error and three walks to push three across. Stirpe’s two-out RBI double in the sixth proved to be the eventual game winner.
“He’s our catalyst,” Murphy said. “He does a great job of leading this team. He’s seeing it and hitting the ball well. He’s got a great approach up there.”
Hilton took advantage of errors to make 4-0 in the third.
Irondequoit cut the margin to one in the home half. Cullen Pease singled but was erased on a fielder’s choice. Chad Gartland put runners on the corners with a single, and Will Porter loaded the bases with a walk. Chris Butler cleared the bases with a fly ball to right field.
Hilton led 6-3 going into the seventh.
Jackson DeJohn made it a 6-5 game when he plated JP Erbland and Porter with a two-out base hit.
Alex Noto had a hit and scored twice for Hilton (8-10). Nic Rohloff, Drew HerrNeckar and Gavin Moore also crossed home for the Cadets.
Kyle Taylor scored a run for Irondequoit (11-8).
Eagles coach Tim Mabb is retiring at the end of this his 31st season as head coach of Irondequoit.
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