Making just his third start of the season, sophomore right-hander Collin Nelson threw five innings of one-hit ball and senior David Stirpe finished the final two innings in Hilton’s 4-0 shutout over visiting Gates Chili in boys baseball.
Nelson allowed just a two-out single in the fourth inning and walked two while striking out eight to earn the win. Stirpe allowed just one walk while fanning two and was credited with the save since he entered the contest with the Cadets holding a three-run lead.
Nelson helped his own cause by drawing a one-out walk and stealing second in the second inning. Senior John Cavallaro and junior Josh Battaglia were both hit by pitches to load the bases before junior Alex Noto hit a squib down the third base line scoring Nelson for a 1-0 Cadets lead.
They plated two more runs in the fifth as Noto singled, stole second and went to third on a fly-out before coming across on an RBI single by Stirpe. The senior proceeded to steal both second and third and, after a walk to senior Nic Rohloff, the two pulled off a double steal with Stirpe beating the throw home from the shortstop to extend Hilton’s lead to 3-0.
The Cadets added an insurance run in the sixth inning as junior Jackson DiPalma led off with a single, stole second, went to third on a fly-out and scored on Noto’s two-out single to right.
Hilton entered the final week of the regular season with a 7-11 record.
