by Dan Lonky (@danlonky)
ONEONTA, NY – An impressive performance from the Oneonta Outlaws bullpen was the highlight of their 4-1 victory over the Syracuse Jr Chiefs in NYCBL action Friday night, as Corey Kafka (Mercer) and Brandon Agar (North Georgia) combined to allow no runs and one hit over 3.2 solid innings.
On the offensive end, the Outlaws seemed poised throughout the game to put up more than four runs, but failed to as they managed to strand 15 runners on the bases. Syracuse pitching let a plethora of Oneonta baserunners reach, allowing eight hits, a whopping 10 walks, and two hit by pitches, resulting in a seemingly miniscule four runs.
Although he didn’t match the gem he tossed his last outing, Outlaws starter Matt Milburn (Wofford) put together a respectable start, allowing 1 run, 6 hits, 2 strikeouts, 3 walks, and a pickoff over 5.1 innings.
Offensively, the Outlaws only scored one of their four runs on a base hit, that being a long first inning double off the bat of designated hitter Brian Kraft (Grand Canyon), scoring Jake Levine (Brown). The other three Oneonta runs came from bases loaded walks drawn by Ryan Tomita (Grand Canyon) and Mitch Hollander (Cortland), and a passed ball in the sixth that scored Hollander and gave the Outlaws a 2-1 lead.
Outlaws reliever Corey Kafka got the win Friday night, a decision he was definitely deserving of. Kafka, who got the save in the Outlaws win on Thursday, came in to relieve Milburn with men on second and third and one out in the sixth. Although he did allow the tying run to score on a ground out to the shortstop, the right hander then struck out Kenny Hostrander with the go-ahead run on third. He followed his big two outs in the sixth by completing the seventh and eighth while allowing one hit and striking out fourth.
Coach Joe Hughes called on North Georgia product Brandon Agar in the ninth to shut the door, which he promptly did, striking out two of the three batters he faced and getting his first save of the season.
The Outlaws will look to continue their strong pitching and work on bringing home baserunners as they take on the Geneva Twins tomorrow at home. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM at historic Damaschke Field.
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