By Bryan Clark
WELLSVILLE, N.Y. — A three-run seventh inning rally with two outs gave the Wellsville Nitros (4-8) a 7-5 win over the Geneva Twins (4-5) in New York Collegiate Baseball League Saturday evening at the Wellsville Elementary School.
Wellsville scored first in the bottom of the first inning as shortstop Riley Goulding hit an RBI single, scoring center fielder Jason Webb. Later, while right fielder Montana Timmons was at bat, umpires Chase and Conor Bruder ejected Wellsville head coach Frank Jagoda after a pitch by Twins starter Jon Menke hit Timmons’ left hand. Chase Bruder ruled Timmons’ bat tipped the ball foul, contrary to Jagoda’s opinion.
“I thought it was a good time for me to express my displeasure,” Jagoda explained after the game. “They felt differently. That’s fine. That’s baseball.”
“It was awesome to see him come help me out,” expressed Timmons.
The Twins tied the game in the top of the third when shortstop Nate Langhals doubled, bringing home center fielder Harrison Guiol.
The Nitros regained the lead in the bottom of the third on a single by Goulding that scored second baseman Kory Wan and on a two-run home run by Timmons that brought Goulding home.
“He just gave me a ball up and I got a pretty good swing on it” said Timmons, describing the home run.
Geneva made a comeback. In the top of the fourth, designated hitter Stephen Joe doubled, allowing catcher Cody Walker to score. In the top of the sixth, Joe hit a sacrifice fly, driving in first baseman Dillon Hamlin.
In the top of the seventh, Langhals hit a bunt single, scoring second baseman Carter Bumgardner to tie the game 4-4. The Twins took a 5-4 lead after Guiol scored on a wild pitch by Nitros reliever Matt Fishman.
With two outs on the board in the bottom of the seventh, Goulding doubled, scoring second baseman Nicholas Gill. Then, Timmons tripled, allowing Goulding to come home, making the score 5-5. Next, designated hitter Pete Strommen singled in the game-winning run as Timmons crossed the plate.
The Twins left runners on first and third in the top of the ninth.
Goulding went three-for-four for Wellsville with three RBI. Timmons went two-for-four with three RBI of his own and his first home run of the season.
“I just like to do whatever I can to help the team,” said Goulding.
Walker went three-for-five for Geneva. Joe and Langhals each recorded two RBI.
Wellsville starter Stephen Silvestri pitched four innings, allowing two earned runs and three hits with a strike out. Johnson (1-1) picked up the win, pitching two and one third of an inning, giving up three hits and four earned runs while striking out two Twins. Fishman struck out two batters and gave up a walk and three hits in one and two-thirds innings of work. Brandon Terry earned a save, allowing a hit and a walk with two strike outs in the top of the ninth.
Menke struck out four Nitros and allowed a walk, two hits and four runs in four innings. Alex Juday (0-1) pitched two and two-thirds innings, giving up three runs (two earned) and six hits with a strike out in a losing effort. Nate Harris allowed a walk in an inning and a third on the mound.
Jagoda praised his team’s performance.
“They played an outstanding team game,” he said. “Anytime we get a good team win like that, it’s exciting to see.
Goulding said he thinks the victory could be the start of a winning streak.
“We’ve been struggling a bit lately,” Goulding said. “It’s nice to get a win. If this team gets a little momentum, we can run off a few in a row.”
“All my teammates are pretty excited,” declared Timmons.
The Nitros host the Olean Oilers Sunday at 5 p.m. The Twins travel to Rochester to face the Athletes in Action Sunday at 5 p.m.
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