In dropping both games of a double header Friday at Adirondack, Ilion failed to score against solid pitching in the first contest and never overcame a botched first-inning rally in the late game.
Marty Candee threw a complete game two-hitter with seven strikeouts and no walks in leading Adirondack to an 8-0 victory. The shutout started the double dip at home off in a dominant fashion for the Wildcats.
And, although Dan Colburn matched Candee in punch-outs, with seven Ks in five innings for the Golden Bombers, Adirondack’s 11 hits provided more than enough offense.
Ryan Risi posted a single and Brett Leon knocked a double for Ilion’s only hits.
The Wildcats broke the game open in the fourth inning with four runs. Helping his own cause by getting the rally started, Candee lead off with a double to center and was plated when Dylan Lyon singled.
Adirondack only committed one error to back up Candee on the mound; while Ilion had two errors, with an errant pick-off attempt costing a run.
The Golden Bombers found their offense in the second game plating four runs on nine hits, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the hot-hitting Wildcats’ seven runs on 13 hits.
Both teams got complete games out of their respective pitchers. Jeff Eysaman fanned eight batters in the 7-4 loss, and Dylan Lyon wrung up seven for the win.
Ilion coach Shawn Wiles said a double play and pick-off brought an abrupt end to a first-inning bases loaded rally. After the deflating end to their first scoring opportunity, his team seemed unable to establish enough momentum to catch up after Adirondack put up two runs in their half of the first inning, Wiles added.
Scott Hughes had three RBIs on three hits, two double and a single, to lead the Wildcats offense. And Nick Winters had three hits for two RBIs, on a double and a single.
Ilion got three of its four runs in a sixth-inning comeback attempt that fell just a little short.
Ryan Risi started things with a leadoff single, which was followed by two strikeouts. But Connor Morris walked to allow Dan Colburn to rip a double to bring both runners home.
After Jeff Eysaman walked, Jake Murray kept the comeback going with an RBI single to right field that scored Colburn. Dan Crim ended the game with a well-hit ball to deep center, leaving runners on first and second.
The losses drop Ilion to 5-7 overall and 2-5 in the league.
In other action Friday:
Frankfort defeated Dolgeville 1-0 in a game shortened due to weather.
The Maroon Knights were up 1-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning with runners on second and third when rain and lighting caused umpires to bring it in.
Frankfort’s Jamie Barr pitched five innings of two-hit ball while accumulating nine strikeouts. The victory brings Frankfort to 14-3 overall and 7-2 in the league.
Adirondack —
