By Bryan Clark
WELLSVILLE, N.Y. — A bottom of the ninth, game-winning hit by reserve first baseman Michael Fries gave the Wellsville Nitros (5-8) at 11-10 victory over the Olean Oilers (7-4) Sunday evening in New York Collegiate Baseball League action at the Wellsville Elementary School.
The Nitros overcame two, five-run deficits in their second consecutive comeback win. The teams collectively recorded 25 hits.
“I’m proud at how the guys battled,” said Wellsville coach Frank Jagoda
Fries said he’s glad to help the team win after hardships at the plate to begin the season.
“I’ve been struggling,” said Fries. “I have to thank the coaches for sticking with me. I felt the whole time that my team was behind me. We got a great group of guys here.”
Olean scored first in the top of the first as shortstop Joe Pantano reached home as left fielder Jon Kemmer attempted the steal second base.
In the top of the third, Kemmer hit a two-run home run, brining third baseman Seth Heck home. Right fielder Pat Welsh hit a sacrifice fly, scoring designated hitter Joe Chittester. As catcher Michael Booth hit into a fielder’s choice, first baseman Brad Rush scored while center fielder Thomas Richards was ruled out at third, making the score 5-0.
Wellsville rallied in the bottom of the fourth. Right fielder Montana Timmons doubled, scoring shortstop Riley Goulding. Timmons later scored following a balk by Olean starting pitcher Ruben Medina. Catcher Chandler Sidwell singled, allowing designated hitter Chris May to come home.
Heck hit a double, scoring Pantano and Rush hit a two-run home run to bring Heck home, giving Olean an 8-3 lead in the top of the sixth.
The Nitros scored seven runs in the bottom of the sixth. First baseman Pete Strommen singled, driving home Timmons. Sidwell singled, brining in May. Olean relief pitcher Kyle Rufer walked Wellsville third baseman Kory Wan, allowing Strommen to score. Fries in his first at bat of the game hit a single, batting in center fielder Trent Whitcomb. Goulding hit a single, driving in Wan. May capped off the surge, scoring second baseman Nicholas Gill and Fries and giving the Nitros a 10-8 lead.
The Oilers came back. Kemmer hit a sacrifice fly that brought Pantano home in the top of the eighth. In the top of the ninth, second baseman Jose Alicea hit a solo home run with one strike and two outs to tie the game 10-10.
With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Fries smashed an RBI single, scoring Whitcomb and giving Wellsville the win.
Fries, May and Sidwell each picked two hits and two RBI for the Nitros. Heck went three-for-four with an RBI for the Oilers. Kemmer brought three runners home.
Nitros starter TJ Hunt pitched three innings, allowing five earned runs, seven hits and a walk while recording two strike outs. Zach Fraley allowed two walks, three earned runs and five hits with two strikeouts in three innings. Matt Fishman allowed an unearned run and recorded a strikeout in two innings of work. Brandon Terry (1-0) allowed a hit and an earned run on Alicea’s home run, but picked up a strikeout and ultimately earned the win.
Medina threw five innings on the mound, allowing two walks, three hits, three earned runs with two strikeouts. Rufer gave up three hits and three earned runs without recording any outs. Garret Stockton allowed three walks, four hits and four earned runs with a strikeout in two innings of work. Kemmer (2-2) picked up the loss after moving to the mound from left field and allowed a walk, an earned run, two hits while striking out two Nitros in an inning and two-thirds of work.
Jagoda said he believes his players have begun to come together.
“Anytime you’re playing with guys playing with guys from 15 or 16 states across the country, it’s going to take some time for guys to gel,” explained Jagoda. “You can see there’s some camaraderie going on here which is great to see.”
Jagoda said winning the game at home sweetened the victory.
“It’s great to do it at home,” he said. “These people (the fans) really support us.”
“We’re giving them something to cheer about,” added Fries.
The Nitros travel to Rochester to face Athletes in Action Monday at 5 p.m. Olean hosts Niagara in a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m. Monday.
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