By Bryan Clark
@clarky71990
Wellsville, N.Y. –Only recording three hits, committing four errors and leaving nine runners on base doomed the Wellsville Nitros (3-7) in a 3-2 loss to the Olean Oilers (7-2) Wednesday evening at the Wellsville Elementary School.
“Any time you have more errors than hits, it’s very hard to win games,” said Wellsville coach Frank Jagoda.
Originally scheduled to start at 11 a.m., the game’s pitch was delayed six hours to order for the field to become playable after rain on Tuesday.
Olean opened up the scoring in the top of the first inning. After reaching second on a wild pitch by Wellsville starter Anthony Galan, shortstop Joe Pantano came home on a single by second baseman Seth Heck. Later, centerfielder Thomas Richards reached first on an error by Wellsville shortstop Riley Goulding, scoring Heck.
“It was nice to come out and get two (runs) early,” said Olean head coach Bobby Bell.
Wellsville tied the game in the bottom of fifth. Oiler starter Brandon Nemeti walked Wellsville right fielder Montanna Timmons, allowing centerfielder Jason Webb to score. Third baseman Nick Fornaca grounded out to Pantano, bringing left fielder Trent Whitcomb home.
Olean plated the game-winning run on another error by Goulding, scoring left fielder Adam Urschel.
Nemeti (3-0) picked up the win for Olean, allowing three hits, two runs (both earned) and five walks while recording seven strikeouts in six innings on the mound. Kyle Rufer struck out Whitcomb in the top of the seventh. Garret Stockton pitched the eighth and ninth innings, picking up the save and striking out three Nitros.
Bell praised his team’s pitching.
“Brandon has been solid for us since day one,” said Bell. “Kyle came in and got us out of a jam. Garret is our go to guy at the end of games. He comes in and throws hard and accurate.”
Galan (1-2) pitched seven innings, allowing three runs (one earned), a walk, six hits and struck out three hitters in a losing effort for Wellsville. Brandon Terry pitched the eighth inning, recording a strike out and a walk. Matt Fischman struck out Oiler third baseman Mike Scarello in the ninth inning.
None of the relief pitchers in the game allowed any hits or runs.
Bell gave Wellsville’s defensive effort credit.
“Their infield had some hard balls hit at them,” said Bell. “They made plays that were just awesome defensively today.”
Jagoda said the team needs to develop a new mindset to overcome errors leaving runners on base.
“It’s really just a killer instinct mentality,” explained Jagoda. “It comes down to wanting to hit the baseball. I’m not saying guys don’t want to, it’s about having a different mentality to get it done. We just have to continue to work hard every day.”
Jagoda outlined the team’s approach for the rest of the season.
“I told the guys we don’t need to break the season down into one, 40-game schedule,” he said. “We need to break the season down into four, 10-game segments. The first segment is done. The bottom line is if you win more than you lose the rest of the way, you’re in line for a top four seed in the playoffs.”
Olean will next play at Niagara Thursday at 7 p.m. Wellsville hosts Athletes in Action Friday at 5 p.m.
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