By Bryan Clark
WELLSVILLE, N.Y. — A two-hour, 43-minute thunderstorm delay forced the Wellsville Nitros (12-16) and Niagara Power (12-13) to postpone the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader at the Wellsville Elementary School. Wellsville won the first scheduled game 10-2, out hitting Niagara 11-4 in New York Collegiate Baseball League action.
Wellsville head coach Frank Jagoda said his team appears to be playing well as the All-Star break approaches.
“We’re starting to hit a stride here,” said Jagoda.
“The offense is coming together,” said Wellsville catcher Chris May. “Hopefully we’ll get a playoff spot.”
Wellsville opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning with an RBI single by May, scoring right fielder Montana Timmons.
The Nitros scored six runs in the bottom of the third. Timmons, designated hitter Pete Strommen and left fielder Michael Fries each hit doubles, bringing home second baseman Kolin McMillen, third baseman Kory Wan, Timmons and shortstop Riley Goulding and Strommen respectively. Center fielder Jason Webb later hit a sacrifice fly, allowing Fries to score.
At 2:17 p.m. with no outs in the top of the fifth, umpires David Ross and Travis Thompson stopped the game as rain from a strong thunderstorm soaked the field. The game resumed at 5 p.m. after the teams worked to remove puddles on the infield.
May said the two teams found ways to keep their energy up during the delay.
“One of the biggest things during a rain delay is not to sit around and tighten up,” explained May. “We stayed loose and had fun.”
In the bottom of the fifth, Webb singled, scoring Goulding and Strommen. Goulding hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of sixth, bringing home McMillen.
The Power scored two runs in the top ninth as Wellsville reliever Brad Smith walked Niagara second baseman Taylor Sears with the bases loaded, allowing substitute center fielder Neil DeCook to score and pinch hitter Tyler Schweigert scored as Webb threw out Sears at third base for the game’s final out.
May led the Nitros at the plate, hitting three-for-five with an RBI. DeCook, Schweigert, Sears and designed hitter P.J. Worthen each recorded a hit for Niagara.
Wellsville starting pitcher Stephen Silvestri (1-1) earned the victory, striking out five hitters and only allowed two walks and two hits in five innings. Silvestri completed the fifth inning after the delay.
“He stayed focused during the rain delay,” said May. “He deserved to go back out there.”
Henry Johnson struck out four batters and gave up a hit in three innings. Smith pitched the ninth, allowing a hit, two earned runs and three walks.
Niagara starter Frank Grandinette (0-2) took the loss, allowing three walks, six hits and seven earned runs with three strikeouts in four innings. Ken DeCook pitched two innings, giving up two walks, three runs (one earned) and four hits while striking out two Nitros. Matthew Gibbs pitched the seventh, allowing a hit and a walk. D. J. Schwab walked three batters and struck out two others in the eighth.
Jagoda praised how his team handled the delay.
“Anytime you have that type of break, you worry about being flat and complacent,” he said.”We solidified our focus. These guys really hung in there. I commend them for their efforts of staying focused.”
The teams haven’t announced a date when they’ll make up the postponed second game.
Wellsville hosts Athletes in Action Sunday at 5 p.m. Niagara travels to St. Bonaventure University to face Olean Sunday at 3 p.m.
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