By Paul Casey Gotham
SCIO, N.Y. – Four years have passed since the Webster Yankees appeared in the NYCBL post-season. Dave Brust’s Webster Yankees showed no signs of rust.
G.C. Yerry (Stony Brook) out-dueled the league’s top pitcher, and Tyler Grogg (Toledo) paced the pinstripe attack as Webster defeated the Allegany County Nitros 4-2 to take a 1-0 lead in the New York Collegiate Baseball League West Division semi-finals.
Grogg slapped a two-out, bases-loaded single in the ninth plating Ollie Bertrand (Flagler) and Monte Marrocco (U Mass-Lowell). Bertrand led the ninth with a single up the middle and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt Cory Goeggleman (Waynesburg State). Marrocco greeted Nitro reliever, Michael Hester (Georgia Southern) with a base hit to right. He moved to second on a throw to the plate. Sam McGill (Ouachita Baptist) came on and issued Matt Francis (U of R) an intentional pass to load the bases.
Yerry matched Hicks surrendering just one earned run through eight innings. The southpaw threw 81 pitches (62 for strikes) striking out two and walking none.
“The key statistic there is the no walks,” said Brust. “When G.C. is throwing strikes, he is tough to beat.”
After allowing two runs in the first, Yerry settled down and retired 18 of the next 20 batters he faced.
Tim Johnson (St. John Fisher) worked a scoreless ninth for the save. Johnson struck two of the batters he faced.
Webster tied the game at two with a pair of runs in the third. Francis reached first when his ground ball was mishandled in the infield. With two outs Grogg singled, and Francis moved to third. Grogg stole second, and Matt Delewski (Toledo) delivered with a base rap to center.
From there the two teams locked horns in a defensive battle.
“Our defense has kept us in games all year,” Brust commented. We make the plays in the field and give our offense a chance to get going.”
Wes Winkle (Ball State) turned in a stellar play in the left field robbing Allegany’s Sam McGill (Ouachita Baptist) of extra bases when he made a back-to the-plate grab in front of the fence.
Talking about Winkle’s instincts and his jump on the ball, Brust said: “Did you see that? He just knew and got moving with contact.”
Grogg finished 3-5 with two RBI, two stolen bases and a run scored. Francis went 2-3 with a walk, stolen base and a run scored.
Isaac Hicks (Nova Southeastern) entered the game with an ERA of 1.38 in 52 innings of work. He shut out the Yankees on Opening Night and held the home nine to one earned run July 18th.
The game was not without incident. With runners on second and third and one out in the ninth, Hester refused to issue an intentional base on balls to set up the force. After a brief discussion on the mound with head coach Ryan Shockley and the Nitro infield, Hester flippantly tossed the ball in the direction of his coach and walked off the field. He was seen packing his bags in the dugout and eventually left the field of play before the end of the game.
The series resumes in Webster on Saturday. Jared Locke (Toledo) gets the ball with a chance to send Webster to the division finals. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Basket Road Field. Out-of-town fans can listen to the game on TEAMLINE radio – your internet source for New York Collegiate Baseball League action.
What an exciting game, even over the broadcast! Just keep on being the Little Engine That Could – these boys are really playing as a team now, everybody shining & at their best… Congratulations to GC for the win and no walks! yeah! Wes for the great play in the outfield, Tim for the save, Ollie,Tyler, Corey, Monte, the Matts — every one of you-all, and Coach Brust for sticking with your players and giving them room to work through their rough spots.
lulululululululululululululululululululululululululululu!
(Native trill, an encouragement)
We have been keeping our eyes on this young lefty for several years. Lots of potential for our Boston Red Sox future. Keep up the great work G.C.
Thanks for the broadcast , your fans up in Maine.