Prior to Saturday’s game if someone told Webster coach, Mike Kelly, that his starter, Robert DiNuzzo would allow just two runs over eight innings, that reliever Jacob Bernath would work a perfect ninth, and his NYCBL Yankees would play errorless ball, the Yankee skipper would have been happy. One problem is that Brandon Scott’s Allegany County Nitros did one better. Actually make that two better, as the Nitros defeated the Yanks in a classic pitcher’s duel at Dugan Yard.
Allegany County’s Doug Ciallela made good on his first starting opportunity of the young season. The right-hander from Clifton, New Jersey struck out five while going the distance as the Nitros blanked the Yanks 2-0.
DiNuzzo surrendered a mere two runs over eight innings. The Rockland County native struck out six. The Iona College standout’s only mistakes came in the third inning. With one out DiNuzzo hit batter Patrick Luehring with an inside fastball. After Luehring advanced to second via a wild pitch, Nitro left fielder, Tyler McNeeley put the ball just past the outstretched arms of Yankee third baseman, Shawn Bailey, for a run-scoring single.
“Bobby did a great job for us today,” said Coach Kelly. “They (the Nitros) had a tough time getting the ball out of the infield against him.”
Undaunted, the Nitros resorted to small ball in the eighth and added an insurance run. “They did what they needed to do to win the game,” added Kelly. “We gotta tip our hats to them.”
The excitement for the day came from a variety of outstanding defensive plays. Center-fielders, Josh Johnson and Sean Barksdale traded web gems in the outfield. Both Johnson and Barksdale took away sure extra-base hits.
For Johnson this marks the second day in a row the Toledo University star has taken away an extra-base hit. In Friday’s game he robbed Hornell catcher, Justin Hart, of what would have been a run-scoring triple.
Webster right-fielder, Mark Stuckless contributed a pair of fine running grabs. Catcher, Marcus Nidiffer threw out two runners at second.
“The defense was there all day,” commented DiNuzzo. “Everyone did a great job of picking me up.”
Nitro second baseman, Nick Moser made a fine stop on a hit up the middle. Shortstop, Jose Sanchez climbed the ladder and robbed Nelson Santos of a sure hit.
After winning back-to-back games Webster finds themselves in the unenviable position of staring up at most of the NYCBL’s West Division.
Webster faces the Niagara Power tomorrow. The Father’s Day special is set for 5pm at Monroe Community College. Gene Offerman gets the nod for the good guys. Offerman pitched six innings and got the win in his last outing.
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