By Justin Lada
GENEVA, N.Y. — Corey Mingin made his second start of the season and based on what he did on Saturday night in Geneva it won’t be his last. Thanks to a two-run first and a five run second Mingin and the Salt Cats cruised to a 9-3 win over the Red Wings to move into sole possession of fifth place and now sit just one game back of the fourth place in the NYCBL east.
Mingin (Oklahoma State-Panhandle) went seven strong innings, allowing just one run on four hits. He walked two and struck out six Red Wings.
Following the path of his Aggies teammate, Mingin was dominating, while allowing just one base runner per inning through the first three innings. The Red Wings led off hitters reached first just twice in Mingin’s seven innings.
He walked Brad Blumer to start the seventh inning and Joe Blair doubled him in for the Red Wings first run of the game.
That was all Geneva could muster off of Mingin, who allowed just two runners to reach scoring position all game.
Bud Morton (Moorehead State) singled with one out in the top of the first and stole second on the very first pitch to the next batter. Jake Cintolo (Suffolk) singled him in for the first run of the game for the Salt Cats.
Kevin Bailey (Alvernia) reached on an error and Connor Thompson (Mansfield) singled in Cintolo giving the Salt Cats a quick 2-0 cushion for Mingin.
The Salt Cats sent 10 men to the plate in the 2nd inning, plating five more runs.
Jake Cintolo and Dan Fiorito (Manhatanville) plated a run each thanks to doubles and Geneva starter Chris Murphy uncorked a pair of wild pitches to score Corbin Gapski (Farleigh Dickinson) and Cintolo. Andrew Medeiros (Westfield State) scored on an error in the inning as well.
That was more than enough for Mingin but another base hit by Gapski and another error by the Red Wings scored Gapski in the third.
Ed Charles (Oswego State) had a pinch hit single in the 6th inning to drive in Bailey.
While Mingin cruised, Murphy had a hard time throwing the ball to his catcher and got little help from his defense. The right hander from TCU went just 1.2 innings, allowing seven hits and seven runs (four earned) while walking two and struck out one. He threw three wild pitches.
His bullpen was a little better but the defense didn’t improve. Nick Myers went 3.1 innings, allowing three hits and an un earned. Bobby Scott allowed the last Salt Cat run in his three innings of work, allowing three hits, a walk but did strike out one.
Tim Ackerman (Cazenovia) made his first appearance as a member of the ‘Cats in the eighth inning after just signing this week to replace the injured Kelly Wright.
Ackerman allowed a home run to Chris Ray in the 8th inning, the first batter he faced but then settled down. He walked one batter in the eighth as well but allowed no further damage.
Kyle Cushman (Mohawk Valley CC/Onondaga CC) allowed a double to Robbie Enslen and an RBI single to Blair to make it 9-3. Cushman would allow two more walks by got pinch hitter, Leon Stimpson to pop out to give the Salt Cats their 8th victory of the year.
The win gives the Salt Cats their 7th win in their last 11 games.
The Salt Cats return home Sunday to host the Sherrill Silversmiths at 12pm from Rockwell Park on the campus of Le Moyne College.
Joe Riley (St Lawrence) (0-1 4.60) will make his 4th start of the year.
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