By PAUL GOTHAM
HILTON, N.Y. — Two days earlier, Hilton suffered an 11-0 drubbing at the hands of reigning New York State Class AAA champion, Fairport.
On Wednesday, the Cadets faced a 3-1 deficit in the third inning to that same Red Raider squad before rattling off three unanswered runs to win for the third time in four games.
“They took it to us a little bit on Monday,” said Hilton head coach Kevin Whelehan. “I like the way our kids responded today.”
Adam Petrella started and hurled four-plus innings. Kayden Yapjoco delivered the big blow from the plate. Jack Lander provided the game winner, and Brody Keller registered a save as Hilton improved to 4-3 on the season.
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“Good to bounce back and take out a very talented team in Fairport,” said Petrella who struck out seven and allowed three runs (one earned) on three hits and five walks over 4.2 innings of work. “They’re a strong team over there, a lot of strong hitters.”
The senior right-hander was at his best after Fairport took advantage of an error to score two runs for a 3-1 lead in the third. With another run in scoring position, Petrella induced a ground ball on the right side of the infield from the next batter for the final out of the inning.
The Hilton bats responded in the home half of the inning to knot the game.
“That was the focus for the last two days,” Petrella said. “When we get down, we don’t want to drop out of the game. We want keep our heads in the game, keep the energy and have good at-bats.”
Yapjoco plated two with a one-out double to straight center field.
“We didn’t want to check out once we saw a deficit on the scoreboard,” Petrella said. “That was a good change from Monday.”
Lander reached on an infield single to lead off the inning. Keller worked a walk, and Kallin Whelehan put runners at second and third with a sacrifice bunt.
Yapjoco delivered from there.
“That’s what we talk about every day,” Kevin Whelehan said. “Every day is a new day. Every day is a great day to perform. Kids have played hard. They took a tough one on Monday and bounced back today.”
One inning later, Lander delivered the eventual game winner with a two-out single to left field.
“It felt great,” the junior said of the feeling off the bat. “Got something I could hit and pulled it over the third baseman.”
Jared Wade connected on a two-out single and stole second to start the decisive rally. Lander barreled up a two-strike fastball.
“First two pitches I was just looking for something to hit down the middle,” he said. “Got down two strikes, choked up (on the bat) and widened my stance.”
Keller made the lead stand with two-and-a-third scoreless innings of relief.
“He’s tough,” Whelehan said of the sophomore right-hander. “He’s come up big for us early in the season already.”
Keller entered the game with two on and two out. He set down the first batter he faced with his first of four strike outs on the day.
“That’s some gutsy pitching right there out of a sophomore,” Whelehan said.
Nicholas Rene reached on an error to start the Fairport (3-3) third. Sam Roselli put runners on the corners with a single before another fielding miscue allowed both to cross home.
Alexander Grejda singled and scored in the first for the Red Raiders. Patrick Lindquist singled, walked and drove in a run for Fairport.
Lander finished 3-for-4 out of the leadoff spot for Hilton.
Hilton hosts Spencerport for a 5:15 start on Thursday.
Fairport travels to Irondequoit for a 5:00 p.m first pitch on Thursday.
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