By Richard L. Gaw
Staff Writer

Moments after Unionville’s 4-1 victory over Octorara on Monday afternoon, winning pitcher Tyler Gilden was asked if he planned to continue pitching in college. The senior said that baseball was not in his future plans, but given his complete-game, eight-strikeout performance, he may want to reconsider bringing his mitt to wherever he attends this coming fall.
Using a crafty blend of fastballs and off-speed pitches, the lefty hurler stymied Octorara by holding them to just four hits. Two of those hits came in the top of the first inning, when John Cummings laid down a perfect bunt, followed by an infield single by Chase Thomas. Both runners advanced to second and third with one out, but Gilden promptly struck out Jackson Ray and Jordan Whisler to end the scoring threat.
After breezing through the second and third, Gilden was touched for the only run he allowed in the fourth, that began when Ray lined a single to right, advanced to second and third on successive passed balls by Gilden, and came in to score on a ground out by Tim Lubano.
“My plan was to keep the ball down, low and away, and pick my spots when I would use my curve ball about 30 percent of the time,” said Gilden, who now has two wins on the early season. “The idea was to get ahead of them with the fastball, and then throw breaking balls.”
Meanwhile, Gilden’s teammates backed him up with a balanced hitting attack that chased Brave starter Aaron Feld after four innings, highlighted by a three-run second inning. Andrew Narcise led off the inning with a double to left center, and moved to third on Schilling’s grounder that was bobbled by Octorara shortstop Matt Carr. Schilling then stole second, and came in to score along with Narcise on a double to left center by Hunter McLimans. Brendan Barrett then drove in McLimans with a double to left center, to round out the scoring in the second inning.
Unionville tacked on its last run in the fourth inning when Barrett singled, stole second and came in to score on a single to left field by Zack Kennedy.
The Indians will make the short drive to NVF Field in Kennett Square on Wednesday for their annual rivalry game against Kennett, under the lights, while Octorara travels to Henderson on April 14.
To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, e-mail [email protected].