By Bryan Clark
WELLSVILLE, N.Y. — The Lake Ontario Ridgemen eliminated the Wellsville Nitros from the New York Collegiate Baseball League Playoffs Sunday afternoon with a 5-4 win in Game one of a doubleheader at the Wellsville Elementary School. The Nitros responded with a 3-2 Game two victory.
The doubleheader consisted of two, seven-inning games. Wellsville needed to win all of their three remaining games for a chance to reach the playoffs.
“Every time you’re eliminated from playoff contention, it’s a terrible feeling,” said Wellsville head coach Frank Jagoda. “We didn’t get it done.”
In Game one, Ridgemen designated hitter and starting pitcher Joel Belk singled, scoring shortstop Jordan Doherty in the top of the first inning. Wellsville tied the game in the bottom of the third as catcher Chandler Sidwell reached home on a error by Lake Ontario third baseman Zachary Gilcrease.
Ridgemen catcher Josh Davis reached first on an error by Nitros third baseman Kory Wan in the top of the fifth. Wellsville took the lead in the bottom of the fifth as shortstop Riley Goulding singled, bringing second baseman Nicholas Gill and center fielder Jason Webb home.
A three-run home run in the top of the seventh by Lake Ontario first baseman Nick Flanagan scored Gilcrease and Belk and gave the Ridgemen control of the game. Gill scored on a right fielder Montana Timmons out to first base in the bottom of the seventh, but Wellsville failed to tie the game, ending any chance to reaching the postseason.
In Game two, catcher Chris May doubled and then scored with Timmons on an error by Lake Ontario shortstop Christian Lichtenthaler in the bottom of the first, making the score 2-0. Wellsville third baseman Michael Fries stole second, allowing first baseman Adam Hightower to steal home in the bottom of the fourth.
Lake Ontario attempted a comeback as second baseman Kolbe Andrade hit a sacrifice fly in the top of the fifth, scoring catcher Cayden Cunniff and Doherty, in the game as a pinch runner, scored after a fielder choice to second base on a hit by Gilcrease.
Due to issue with the Nitros’ Point Streak software, game statistics weren’t available when Pickin’ Splinters published this story.
Jagoda said he wasn’t surprised the team overcame the disappointing Game 1 loss to take Game 2.
“We’ve bounced back time and time again all season long,” said Jagoda, who then praised the Nitros organization and fans.
“I’d like to thank Steve Ackley for this opportunity to coach these young men, the Wellsville community and the host families on behalf of the team,” said Jagoda. “We wish we played better throughout the season, but we ended today on a good note.”
Wellsville closes its season at Lake Ontario Monday at 7 p.m.
“I know these guys don’t want to sit around the rest of the summer with a sour taste in their mouth,” said Jagoda. “We got to come out and play hard.”
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