By TJ HATHAWAY
ROCHESTER, N.Y — On May 18th, Pittsford Sutherland defeated Webster Thomas by a score of 8-5. It was Thomas’s fifth loss in six games at that point, and the Titans record fell to 9-11.
Kevin Neenan’s squad hasn’t lost since then.
The Webster Thomas Titans have won four straight games, including a 14-4 victory over the Pittsford Sutherland Knights in the NYSPHSAA Class A Regional Qualifier on Thursday at Greece Olympia High School.
“It’s just great to see these kids in the last couple of weeks of the season really start putting it together.” Neenan said. “We told them to stay the course, and it’s going to work. We just have to stay confident in each other. And I thought that in all four postseason games the kids have been outstanding in that aspect.”
The win came two days after an emotional and historic victory over crosstown rival Webster Schroeder at Frontier Field. However, Neenan did not have to do much to make sure his team was still locked in.
“It was incredible. Cross-town rivals, great game, everyone was so excited. But I think everybody had the same mantra of ‘Hey, we’re not done. We beat a very good team and we showed that we can keep playing with these guys, so let’s keep playing baseball’. We love playing together.”
After Sutherland jumped out to a 2-1 lead in the first inning, Thomas was able to score three runs in the second inning and seven in the third to break the game open. They then closed the game with three more runs in the seventh.
Butka hits his 2nd ground-rule double of the day, scoring Talbot. A two RBI double by Nate Hill scored two more, and gives @TitansBBall18 a 4-2 advantage in the second inning. pic.twitter.com/pEqERqpbcr
— TJ Hathaway (@tj_hathaway) June 2, 2022
“The approach we had going up there is looking for a good pitch early in the count, and I thought they did a really good job of getting pitches to drive,” Neenan commented. “Josh Butka starts off the game with a double, then Garrett (Wilson) gets a double, and then the kids just went from there. We had like 18 hits today, so it’s great to see when you can do that, and your pitcher throws strikes you’re going to be in great shape.”
Garrett Wilson doubled, homered and led Thomas with four RBI.
“My biggest thing is always trusting the kids who are ahead of me.” Wilson described. “For example, Josh Butka and Nate Hill all do an amazing job getting on base, so I never have to worry about getting myself on, and I can just worry about getting the runners in. Then I just look for pitches I can drive. I know that the outside fastball is tough, even though I put one opposite today. It helps my approach; when you have runners on it’s so much easier to get yourself on.
“He’s got such a nice swing.” said Neenan. “He’s the kid that you want there. Him and all of the guys in the middle of the order those are the guys you want when you get people on base.”
It’s the first time since 2005 that Webster Thomas has advanced to regionals when they defeated Orchard Park. However, they ended up losing in the state-semifinals to Sachem East, in extra innings.
“I mean, it’s one of the greatest things we’ve accomplished as a program since 2005.” Wilson said. “It’s just a huge opportunity for us kids. Coming back as a sectional title winner in 2021, it’s huge. Just to come back as such a confident team, being a two time sectional champion and getting to go to states, it’s just amazing and I’m super excited for it.”
Nathan Hill was 3-for-4 for Thomas, with three RBI and a double. James Bolton doubled, singled twice, and had a RBI. Josh Butka doubled twice and scored a runner. Zicari had a pair of singles and pair of RBI. Shane Talbot had a RBI single. Colby Wilson singled twice. Lawyer had a RBI single. Talbot started on the mound and threw a complete game, striking out three.
Tyler Mullin singled three times for Sutherland, and had a RBI. Jack Zawacki singled twice. Cole Mann and Jake Fekete each singled once and had an RBI. Alex Renzi singled.
“The last three teams we faced, they beat us in the regular season.” Neenan explained. “Churchville beat us twice, Schroeder beat us, and Sutherland beat us twice. To be able to get them back, and to come in here with confidence, is great to see.”
“I think there’s always been a time to peak, and there’s no better time than now.” said Wilson.
Webster Thomas will play Hamburg (VI) in the Class A Far West Regional at Grand Island High School, Saturday at 12:00 PM.
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