By Bryan Clark
@clarky71990
Wellsville, N.Y. –The Geneva Twins (3-2) dominated the Wellsville Nitros (2-5) at the plate and on the mound, winning both games of a Saturday afternoon doubleheader 14-0 and 5-3 respectively at the Wellsville Elementary School. In Game 1, Geneva held Wellsville to one hit and turned three double plays in Game 2.
In Game 1, Geneva catcher Cody Walker singled, scoring shortstop Nate Langhals in the top of the first inning.
In the top of the third, first baseman Dillon Hamlin singled, scoring designated hitter Taylor Nichols and Walker doubled, scoring Hamlin.
Centerfielder Harrison Guiol hit his second home run of the season in the top of the fourth, increasing the lead to 4-0.
The Twins exploded for seven runs in the top of the fifth. Left fielder Adam Dickinson singled, scoring Hamlin. Right fielder Matt Anthonis singled, bringing Walker home. A pitch by Wellsville reliever Michael Wilkes hit Langhals with the bases loaded and allowed Dickinson to score. Nichols brought third baseman Timmy Clark home on a single. A Wilkes passed ball allowed Anthonis to reach the plate. Hamlin drove in Langals and Nichols.
Geneva scored three final runs in the top of the seventh as Clark brought first baseman Zachery Lander home on a sacrifice fly and second baseman Connor Lorenzo hit a double, scoring Walker and left fielder Joe Chinni.
Hamlin went three-for-four for the Twins with three RBI. Shortstop Riley Goulding picked up Wellsville’s lone hit, going one-for-three in the game.
Twins starter Jon Menke (1-0) pitched six innings, striking out 10 batters and only allowing three walks and a hit in the win. Alex Juday recorded the save, striking out two Nitros and not allowing any walks or hits in three innings.
Wellsville starter Evan Robaczewski (0-1) pitched four innings, recording a strike out and allowing four runs (two earned), a walk and six hits in the loss. Wilkes struck out a hitter and allowed six hits and seven runs (one earned) in two-thirds of an inning. Brad Smith in one and two-third innings allowed three hits, three runs (all earned) and four walks with a strikeout. Jason Coplan struck out two Twins without allowing any runs, walks or hits in two and two-thirds innings.
Wellsville coach Frank Jagoda didn’t think Geneva’s pitching was as dominant as the box score suggests.
“To be honest, I didn’t think it was anything special,” Jagoda said. “They commanded the zone and their pitchers threw strikes. It’s nothing we haven’t seen before. To only have one hit in the first game kind of has me scratching my head.”
In Game 2, Geneva opened up a three-run lead as third baseman Brandon Martinez singled, scoring Chinni and single by third baseman Luke Thoms scored designated hitter Max Townley and Martinez.
Wellsville scored its only runs of the day in the bottom of the sixth. Goulding singled, driving home second baseman Nicholas Gill and catcher Chris May hit a two-run home run to tie the game 3-3.
The Twins recaptured the lead in the top of the eighth as Wellsville reliever Brandon Terry walked Townley, allowing Gioul to come home.
Geneva added security to its lead in the top of the ninth as Thoms scored on a passed ball on a swinging strike to second baseman Carter Bumgardner.
Thoms went two-for-four with two RBI for the Twins. May hit three-for-four with two RBI on his third home run of the season for the Nitros.
Twins starter Jake Garbuzinski (1-0) earned the win, striking out three batters while allowing eight hits and three runs (all earned) in seven innings. Isaac Behme gave up a hit during his inning of work. Nate Harris came in for the ninth, picking up the save with a strikeout and a walk.
Wellsville’s Stephen Silvestri (0-1) picked up the loss, allowing three runs (none earned), four hits and two walks with three strikeouts in five innings. Zach Fraley pitched two and a third innings, giving up an earned run, a hit and two walks. Terry walked three batters and allowed two hits and an earned run despite striking out three Twins during his one and two-thirds innings stint on the mound.
Wellsville committed six errors on Saturday, including five in Game 1.
Geneva coach Kevin Whiteside felt his team played well in both games.
“Our pitchers came out and threw the ball well today,” said Whiteside. “That’s what we needed.”
Whiteside, who coached the Nitros last season, commented on facing his former team.
“It’s definitely bittersweet,” said Whiteside. “It’s good to come back and see some familiar faces.”
Even though he said the team played with more energy in Game 2, Jagoda expressed disappointment in losing both games.
“When you play a doubleheader at home, you at least want a split,” said Jagoda.
Jagoda said despite the losses, the team will bounce back.
“These guys know it’s a long season,” said Jagoda. “We can’t hang our heads for too long.”
Wellsville travels to St. Bonaventure University to face Olean at 3 p.m. Sunday.
Geneva plays at Rochester Athletes in Action Sunday at 5 p.m.
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