By Bryan Clark
WELLSVILLE, N.Y. — The Olean Oilers (18-11) outhit the Wellsville Nitros (13-17) 17-7 and never trailed in a 9-4 win Friday evening at the Wellsville Elementary School, the first game for both teams following the New York State Collegiate Baseball League All-Star break. The Nitros left 10 runners on base in the game.
“That’s the story of it,” said Wellsville head coach Frank Jagoda. “One or two key hits today and it’s a different ballgame.”
In the top of the first inning, Olean left fielder Jon Kemmer doubled, brining second baseman Seth Heck home from first base. Later, first baseman Joe Chittester singled, scoring Kemmer.
Catcher Michael Booth doubled, allowing Chittester and center fielder Thomas Richards to score and a single by shortstop Joe Pantano drove in right fielder Stephan Adams in the top of the third.
Wellsville center fielder Jason Webb and first baseman Nick Fornaca each hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth and fifth inning respectively.
The Oilers expanded their lead in the top of the fifth as Booth and Pantano both hit doubles, scoring Adams and Booth respectively.
Booth allowed Richards to come home on a sacrifice fly in the top of the seventh. Wellsville designated hitter Chris May’s double in the bottom of the seventh brought in right fielder Montana Timmons and made the score 8-3.
Chittester’s single in the top of the eighth scored Heck. Wellsville added one more run in the bottom of the eighth after second baseman Kolin McMillen reached first base on a Chittester error, allowing catcher Chandler Sidwell to score.
Olean starting pitcher Joe DiLeo (1-1) earned the win, allowing three earned runs, six hits and six walks with four strikeouts in seven innings. Zach Machmer pitched the eighth and ninth innings, giving up a hit, an unearned run and walk and striking out two Nitros.
“It was huge for those two guys to step up in situations they’re not used to,” said Olean head coach Bobby Bell.
Wellsville starting pitcher Evan Robaczewski (2-2) took the loss, allowing five hits, five earned runs and seven walks with five strikeouts in two and two-thirds innings. Henry Johnson gave up two earned runs and six hits with two strikeouts in two and one-third innings on the mound. Jason Coplan pitched four innings, allowing two runs (one earned) and six hits and struck out a batter.
“We didn’t pitch very well early,” said Jagoda. “Evan was throwing strikes, but they did a good job of getting the barrel on the baseball.”
Bell said he was pleased with his team’s performance.
“We preach good at-bats,” he said. “These guys are definitely listening to everything our hitting coach is saying and getting the job done.”
Jagoda said All-Star break rust wasn’t an excuse for the loss.
“They were on the All-Star break and got 17 hits (today).”
Wellsville travels to Niagara for a Saturday doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m. Olean plays at Hornell Saturday at 7 p.m. The Oilers trail the Dodgers for the top spot in the NYCBL Eastern Division.
“It’s not about who’s the best team in the playoffs, it’s about who’s the hottest,” Bell said. “Hopefully, we’ll be one of the hotter teams.”
Jagoda said he believes his team will recover from the disappointing performance. Wellsville trails Geneva by a game for the last playoff spot in the division.
“We’ve bounced back time and time again,” he said “That’s been the story of this team. We’ve been down, but have never been out.”
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