By Bryan Clark
WELLSVILLE, N.Y. — The Wellsville Nitros (13-16) enter the New York Collegiate Baseball League All-Star break following an 11-3 win over the Lake Ontario Ridgemen (8-18) Sunday evening at the Wellsville Elementary School, the team’s fourth win in five games.
“These guys have really battled through a lot of adversity this year,” said Wellsville head coach Frank Jagoda. “They’re really playing well right now.”
The Ridgemen scored two runs in the top of first inning as Wellsville committed four errors. Designated hitter Nick Flanagan hit the ball to first base as an error by Wellsville shortstop by Riley Goulding allowed third baseman Jonathan Burkhardt to score. Another Goulding error allowed first baseman Trevor Keele to advance to first and left fielder Joel Belk to come home.
Wellsville tied the game in the bottom of the first on a two-run home run by Montana Timmons, bringing home second baseman Kolin McMillen.
The Nitros took the lead in the bottom of the third as left fielder Pete Strommen hit a sacrifice fly, scoring designated hitter Chris May. An error by Ridgeman shortstop Jordan Doherty allowed Wellsville first baseman Nick Fornanca to score.
In the bottom of the fifth, Strommen doubled, driving in May and Goulding.
Timmons and Goulding doubled, allowing center fielder Jason Webb and McMillen and Timmons respectively to score. Strommen added a single that brought in May and Goulding.
“I started off the game pretty hot,” said Timmons. “It got me relaxed.”
The Ridgemen added a run in the top of the ninth as catcher Josh Davis scores while Wellsville third baseman Kory Wan threw Burkhardt out at first base.
Strommen and Timmons each picked up two hits and four RBI for Wellsville. Davis was the only Lake Ontario hitter with multiple hits.
Wellsville starter Anthony Galan (3-4) picked up the win, allowing two unearned runs and three hits with five strikeouts in six innings. Evan Robaczewski recorded a strikeout in the seventh. Cameron Langfels allowed a hit and a walk in the eighth. Matt Fishman pitched the ninth, allowing an earned run and two hits.
Ridgemen starter Asa Johnson (1-1) took the loss, giving up three walks, 11 runs (seven earned) and 13 hits with three strikeouts in six innings. Davis Patrick allowed a hit in two innings of work.
Fishman, May and Timmons will represent Wellsville in Wednesday’s NYCBL All-Star Game at Niagara.
“I’m really excited,” said Timmons. “It was my goal going into the season.”
“I’m excited for them,” said Jagoda. “They’ve had outstanding seasons. I expect them to continue that. I honestly feel we deserve one or two more starting pitchers there.”
Following the All-Star break, Wellsville hosts Olean at 5 p.m. on Friday. Lake Ontario will welcome Niagara for a doubleheader beginning at 5 p.m. Monday.
Jagoda said he doesn’t think his team will lose focus during the break.
“I challenged them to not lose sight of our goals,” he said. “These guys are hungry. They feel we have a lot to prove.”
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