Mace Eads of Triton fires a shot at Bailey Platt of Whitko Thursday afternoon. (Photos by Mike Deak)

BOURBON – The phrase ‘slow and steady wins the race’ didn’t apply Thursday for the Triton boys tennis team. Triton put together four court wins in just over an hour en route to a 4-1 victory over Whitko.

Whitko’s Bailey Platt

Triton started the day already knowing it would have a set in hand as Whitko had just six active tennis players working. The three singles casualty by Whitko, which it will likely fill in the next week, got Triton on the board. The Trojans two doubles team of Grant Eib and Carter Kuntz won very quickly at 6-1, 6-2 against Luke Spurlin and Nathan Smith.

Mace Eads and Bailey Platt had a competitive matchup at one singles, Eads taking advantage of a hot start and adjusting to Platt’s choice of shots. The Trojan ace would claim a 6-0, 6-3 win.

“He has been serving well, and he’s turning into an all-around package,” said Triton head coach Al Peckham of Eads. “The speed, quickness, defense, offense. He’s really turned into a nice player.”

Keygan Mosier and Chase Butler played a spirited one doubles match against Micah Cokl and Austin Hollowell. Trading rallies and a little gamesmanship, the two teams weren’t separated by much in terms of talent. When the dust (and quibbling) settled, Mosier and Butler came out ahead 6-4, 7-5.

Triton’s Chase Butler

Wrapping up the court show was two singles, which saw Cory Hersha play in just his second match of the season for Whitko. Hersha mixed up some power and some finesse to keep Triton’s Aaron Stichter off balance in a 6-4, 6-3 result to salvage a court for the Wildcats.

“I was really happy with the guys tonight,” said Whitko head coach Victoria Cornell. “Our one doubles, this is their second match playing together so, again, we have been switching positions throughout the season because we have had different people eligible. I’m pretty proud of them coming out and just working hard and not giving up. Playing to the very end.”

Triton wraps up its third match in three days, having beaten LaVille Tuesday and losing to Plymouth Wednesday. According to Peckham, his club has continued to make strides heading into another difficult matchup Saturday at Bethany Christian.

“It’s another one of those matches that we’ll try to increase our level. We are a pretty young team and we need that experience to play against better teams. Even matches like tonight where you play against a pretty competitive team where you have to fight for your points, these help out.”

Triton (4-4) heads to Bethany Christian Saturday while Whitko (0-6) will visit Peru Tuesday.

Whitko’s Cory Hersha got the only Wildcat win at two singles.