NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — The Niagara Power scored runs early and held on late to keep pace in the NYCBL’s Western Division.
Chane Lynch (Dallas Baptist U.) sparked a four-run first as the Power defeated the Lake Ontario Ridgemen, 9-8 in New York Collegiate Baseball League action at Sal Maglie Stadium, Thursday night.
Lynch connected for his third home run of the season as the Power tagged Ridgemen ace, Joel Belk (Azusa Pacific), early. Neil DeCook (Western Illinois) led the inning with a single. Shakeel Newton (Genesee CC) reached on an error. After Adam Taylor (North Greenville) made it to first on a fielder’s choice, Lynch cleared the base paths with a three-run bomb.
Lake Ontario cut the lead to one in the third. Belk took responsibilities for his earlier struggles driving home Jonathan Burkhardt (East Texas Baptist) with a two-out home run. Nick Flanagan (Martin Methodist) followed with a single. Zac Goodno (Indian River St.) tripled, and the Ridgemen trailed 4-3.
Niagara stretched their lead to 9-3 scoring pairs of runs in the fifth and sixth.
Tyler Schweigert (Eastern Illinois) plated Lynch with a one-out triple. Taylor Sears (Morehead St.) made it 7-3 with a sacrifice fly.
Spencer Bowles (St. Leo) walked to lead the sixth and came around to score one out later when DeCook reached on an error. Newton doubled home DeCook, and the Power had their largest lead of the night.
Lake Ontario took advantage of the Power’s charity and used a two-out rally to cut the lead to one. Goodno was hit by a pitch. Cayden Cuniff (East Texas Baptist) and Rob Groeschell (Lower Columbia) walked to load the bases. Christian Lichtenthaler (Lower Columbia) received the third consecutive free pass, and the Ridgemen scored their first of the frame.
Frank Dreslinski (Rend Lake) reached on an error, and Cuniff scored. Burkhardt capped the inning with a single scoring Groeschell and Lichtenthaler.
The threat ended there.
Brandon Mumaw (St. Leo) and Scott Voyles (Greenville) came out of the Niagara bullpen and retired the final seven Ridgemen batters.
Voyles picked up his third save of the season. In 11 appearances the right-hander has yet to allow a run this season. Voyles has struck out 14 and walked two in fourteen and two-thirds innings.
Steven Beckham (Olivet Nazarene) went six innings for his second win of the season.
DeCook and Lynch each went three-for-four.
Burkhardt led all with four hits in five trips.
Belk went two-for-five with three RBI but took the loss.
Both Niagara and Lake Ontario are faith-based organizations.
Niagara (11-12) hosts the Geneva Twins (12-14), Friday night. First pitch at “The Barber Shop” is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Hornell’s Dodgers visit Basket Road Field, Friday night to take on the Ridgemen in another 7 p.m. start.
Why is this game called a “Holy War?” I’m just wondering out of total curiousity.
Carrie,
Thanks for the comment. The term “Holy War” is completely tongue in cheek, so to speak. One of the other scribes referred to the games between Niagara and the Athletes in Action (Lake Ontario Ridgemen). Both of the organizations are Christian-based.