By Paul Casey Gotham
WEBSTER, N.Y. — It doesn’t matter who Dave Brust puts in the lineup, the result has been the same for nearly the last two weeks.
Tyler Wilson (Ithaca) made good on a spot appearance as the Webster Yankees dismantled the Niagara Power, 8-1 in New York Collegiate Baseball League action at Basket Road Field.
Taking advantage of a change in the NYCBL by-laws, Wilson made his first appearance for the Webster nine and tossed six shutout innings for his first win in what will be his only showing of the campaign.
“I am happy for him,” Brust said when asked about Wilson. “It was a great opportunity to prove he can pitch in this league.”
Brust went on to explain that Wilson will be ineligible for the playoffs because he needs five appearances to qualify for post-season play. With the playoffs starting later this week, Wilson gave Brust an opportunity to get his pitching staff prepared.
“He helped us because we are down to nine pitchers,” Brust noted.
After spotting the Power a one-run lead, the Yankees put one on the board in the third. Tyler DeClerck (University of Rochester) singled through the right side of the infield and advanced to third when Power right fielder, Adam Taylor (North Greenfield), misplayed the ball. Kevin Johnson (Pittsburgh) tied the score with an infield single.
Webster grabbed the lead in the fourth.
Chris Bostick (Aquinas) and Luiz Diaz (North Carolina Cent.) led with back-to-back walks. Tyler Huntey (Central Michigan) moved the runners with a sacrifice bunt that hugged the third baseline. Zach Bricknell (Young Harris) plated Bostick with a single up the middle. Kevin Spatkowski (So. New Hampshire) brought home Diaz with a ground ball to the right side of the infield.
The Yanks put the game out of reach with a five spot in the seventh. After DeClerck led with a base on balls, Johnson’s base hit to right left runners on the corners. Ben Bostick (St. John Fisher) singled up the middle delivering DeClerck. Nick Flemister (Clark) found the hole between third and short, and Johnson came home with the fifth Webster run. Chris Bostick loaded the bases with a bunt single, before his brother Ben scampered home on a wild pitch.
Diaz made it 7-1 with an RBI hit through the left side of the infield, and Chirs Bostick scored on a double play.
Ben Bostick, Diaz and Bricknell each had a pair of hits. Chris Bostick and DeClerck scored two runs apiece.
Webster improves to 29-14 on the season with its 12th win in a row as the team continues adding to its club record for consecutive victories. The Yankees clinched the NYCBL West Division last Saturday.
“The toughest thing now is keeping guys on task,” Brust commented. “You want to make sure you are doing the right things going into the playoffs.”
“Staying focused,” Diaz added. “It’s the main thing.”
Webster will host the first game of the NYCBL’s second round of playoffs this Thursday. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Basket Road Field.
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