Pickin' Splinters

Rochester's Independent Sports Source

Webster Thomas uses big sixth to beat Gates-Chili

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By PAUL GOTHAM

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Nate Zicari didn’t want to come out of the game. One out shy of throwing six complete innings, the senior southpaw motioned to the first base dugout asking to face another batter. Head coach Kevin Neenan hesitated for a brief moment before collecting his thoughts and making his way to the mound.

Zicari struck out 10 batters over 5.2 innings and that was enough for Webster Thomas to defeat Gates-Chili, 8-4.

“Nate did a great job today,” Neenan said. “He got ahead of hitters. He was able to throw his fastball and his curveball was pretty good too.”

Zicari retired the first eight batters he faced. He didn’t give up a hit until a one-out single in the fourth.

“He did a good job mixing location – up and down a little bit,” Neenan commented. “He’s able to throw it in and throw it out. He’s got some pretty good command with the fastball.”

With an 8-1 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth, he surrendered a leadoff single then fanned the next two batters. He went full count on the next hitter before issuing a walk. A single off the bat Alan Henry loaded the bases, and prompted Neenan to make a move.

“I told him ‘if this is a 2-1 game still, you’re not coming out.’ He knew. We had told him before. I think he was at 86 (pitches) or something. He was still good but we wanted to give a couple of kids chances there.”

Thomas sent 10 to the plate in the top of the sixth, and Zicari’s at-bat set the Titans in motion. With Mason Lawyer aboard via a base on balls, he dropped a bunt to the third base side of pitcher’s mound and put runners on the corners. Shane Talbot followed with an RBI single before Adam Zlotkus and Nate Hill connected on a pair of two-run doubles to give the Titans some breathing room.

“He was able to get the bunt down and it kinda went from there a little bit,” Neenan stated. “We got opportunities after that to take extra bases. I talked to the guys about being ready to bunt or squeeze if we have to. That bunt was key for us to get that inning going right there.”

Hitting out of the eight and ninth spots in the order, Talbot and Zlotkus combined for five hits and two runs scored in the game.

“Shane and Adam did a nice job today, some big hits. That is definitely a good sign having those kids step up. The middle of our lineup has been carrying us a little bit. It’s nice to be able to have guys all the way through the lineup that can step up when it’s their turn a little bit.”

Talbot finished 3-for-4 with a double and a stolen base. Zlotkus was 2-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored.

Leadoff hitter Joshua Butka went 1-for-2 with three walks and two runs scored. Garett Wilson went 1-for-3 with a walk and an RBI.

Nick Olmo struck out three over an inning and a third including a clean seventh.

Gates-Chili’s Vincent Lucyszyn started and limited Thomas to two runs on five hits and three walks through five innings before the Titans put together their rally.

Regan Clancy retired six of the seven he faced in relief for the Spartans. Clancy also singled and scored a run. Charles Healey singled, walked and scored a run. Alan Henry finished 1-for-2 with a run scored and an RBI sacrifice fly. Aaron Henry walked and scored a run for the Spartans.

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