Courtesy of Niagara Power.org.
By Jason Patterson
St. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. — The action between Olean and Niagara on Monday was so intense that one day just wasn’t enough to contain it. Game 2 of the scheduled doubleheader was suspended with the score tied 13-13 in the top of the 7th inning. On a day which saw just about everything, the Power pulled even with the Oilers for second place in the NYCBL Western Division Standings.
The second game of the double header had the feel of a shootout in the final moments before darkness settle in on McGraw-Jennings field at St. Bonaventure Univeristy. After a series of errors contributed to a seven Olean runs in the bottom of the 6th inning; Niagara battled back by plating two runs of their own to tie the score just before the game was suspended.
The Power rally was ignited in the most unlikely of fashions when Neil DeCook reached first on a passed ball following his strike out to lead off the inning. DeCook scored on an RBI single by Adam Taylor, who came home to score the tying run on a textbook sacrifice fly to deep right field off the bat of clean-up hitter Chane Lynch. The game will be resumed on the Power’s next trip to Olean. Tyler Schweigert will be at the plate with the bases empty and two men out in the top of the 7th (and final scheduled) inning.
As if this wasn’t enough activity for one road trip, the finish of Game 1 contained the amount of drama generally reserved for a full series of baseball games.
Those in attendance could sense the unique nature of the matchup before the first pitch of the day was ever thrown. Head coach Garrett Shivley used one of his mound visits during warmups before lifting starter Bo Lucas, after Lucas had faced only one batter. Shoulder tightness was the reason for Bo’s early departure. After a long layoff due to injury and two exceptional starts for the Power in his return, the New Jersey native left everyone with concern for him and questions about his status for the remainder of the summer.
The Niagara coaching staff, hoping to save the bullpen for heavy involvement in Game 2, was forced to bring in a parade of relievers to get them trough the first contest. The results ended up being classic. After Niagara blew an early 5 run lead, the Power defense used one of their best plays of the summer to preserve an opportunity in extra innings. The bats then came to life, as boys in blue exploded for 5 runs in the top of the 8th to win the game and improve to (7-4, 6-4 NYCBL) on the season.
The game will be remembered by most for a successful double-squeeze executed by center-fielder Shakeel Newton and a game saving defensive play initiated by left-fielder Nick Linne. Linne refused to give up on a double into the corner which appeared destined to score the winning run for Olean. As the leadoff hitter and fastest member of the Oilers lineup raced all the way around from first, Linne threw a perfect strike to shortstop Alex Lagos whose inprobable relay reached catcher Frank Polino in just enough time to apply the tag and keep the game alive. It was truly a play that no-one who braved the summer sun in Olean today will ever forget.
As Doug Smith pointed out in wrapping up the broadcast on the Patterson Sports Network, Niagara is now a quarter of the way through its 2012 Summer Schedule. The Power will enjoy a couple days rest, including a team journey to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, before making their first trip of the season to Wellsville on Thusday.
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