by TYLER HATHAWAY
VICTOR, N.Y– Brayden Ricigliano went 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI triple and a run scored while tossing a complete game on the mound with five strikeouts and no walks as James Cooke Post 931 (6-2) held off Irondequoit Post 134 (3-7) in a 4-3 win at Victor High School on Wednesday night.
“I think Brayden (Ricigliano) really kept them in check tonight,” said coach Sean Rucker. “We did just enough to squeak one out.”
“I was just throwing strikes, and our defense made some really good plays tonight when we needed it,” said Ricigliano.
With the game knotted at one in the bottom of the fifth inning, John Swartz connected on an RBI double that scored Matthew Lanning. Then, Ricigliano powered a ball deep into right center field that scored Swartz as Ricigliano tripled. The following at-bat, Robbie Langdon reached base via an error that scored Ricigliano to give James Cooke a 4-1 lead.
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“I think we had some timely hitting, some guys hustling,” Rucker explained. “We made our own breaks there.”
Prior to the three-run outburst, Ricigliano had retired 13 of the past 15 batters he faced, giving up only one hit in the span.
“I think we had a good inning coming out of it on defense, and I think it helped bring the momentum into the offensive side,” Ricigliano said of the fifth inning.
“He got in a groove, and he was feeling it,” said Rucker. “He told me after that triple that everything was working on the mound. It was a good night for him.”
It was the fourth win in five outings for James Cooke.
“I think our pitching has shown up,” Rucker said. “Defense has been there. We’re still waiting on our hitting to carry us through a few games, but we’ll see how it goes. Hopefully we can turn that on. “
Robbie Langdon ended his day 2-for-3 at the plate and had an RBI single in the first inning that knotted the game at one. Swartz was 2-for-3 and got on base once via a walk. Matthew Lanning singled, walked, and crossed home plate twice. Alex Long drew a walk.
For Irondequoit Post, Vinnie D’Agostino finished 2-for-3 with a home run, two runs, and an RBI. Aaden Bishop tossed six innings, struck out four, and singled. Ty Sherman finished 2-for-3 and had an RBI in the first inning that gave Irondequoit an early 1-0 lead. Declan Caron had an RBI double. Evan Laird doubled and scored. Eamon Smith singled.
James Cooke’s next outing is Thursday night at home against Cottreall-Warner Post 942.
“We just need to keep getting excited to play,” said Ricigliano of what can help them keep rolling. “Getting excited to play with this team. That’s how we do it.”
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