By Kevin Smith
WEBSTER, NY – The Dodger Blue struck gold in the later innings.
With a 3-2 deficit going into the seventh, the Dodgers rallied from behind to take the lead as Hornell knocked off the Rochester Ridgemen 4-3 in New York Collegiate Baseball League action Tuesday night at Basket Road Field.
The Dodgers tallied their first run on the board on an RBI double by center fielder Sean McCracken (Southern Nevada) to bring in shortstop Chris Roeder (St. John Fisher) and make it an early 1-0 Hornell lead.
With the Dodgers lead now 2-1 going into the bottom of the sixth, the Ridgemen stormed back with their own rally. Third baseman Nicholas Wolyniec (Siena) and left fielder Josh Turner (Patrick Henry CC) showcased the very rare double steal to kick off the bottom half.
Now, the Ridgemen were set up to score some runs. Center fielder Taylor Empkey (Eastfield) tied the game with an RBI groundout to bring Wolyniec home.
This brought designated hitter Joshua Davis (Whitworth) to the plate. Davis scorched an RBI double to left center to drive in Turner and give Rochester a 3-2 lead.
Unfortunately for the Ridgemen, their lead would be short-lived. It was the Dodgers turn to cook up a comeback of their own. Going into the top of the seventh, Hornell did just that.
“We missed plenty of opportunities to get solidify our lead and get some runs,” Ridgemen Coach Taylor Hargrove said. “We’ll learn from the mistakes made tonight.”
Oddly enough for Hornell, the top of the seventh began with two straight outs. Roeder delivered the game-tying run with an RBI single to score left fielder Michael Simmons (Montevalio).
Now with the game tied at three all, the bases were juiced for catcher Dylan Dunn (Hagerstown CC). Dunn came through in the clutch driving in second baseman Jacob Kenney (Genesee CC) with an RBI single to give the Dodgers a 4-3 lead and the eventual victory.
“We got a couple two out hits that were pretty big,” Dodgers coach Tom Kenney said. “Try to get the lead back and show some resilience doing it.”
The pitchers for each teams gave each other a decent matchup.
Dodgers pitcher Zackary Melino (Monroe CC) recorded fair numbers for five innings pitched even though he issued five walks. The righty from Rochester, NY allowed two runs on five hits while striking out four batters.
“I told him (Melino) I don’t need Matt Harvey; I need Zackary Melino,” Coach Kenney added. “Got his stuff to work early and continuously.
On the other side of the scorecard, Ridgemen pitcher Patrick Kinney (Lindenwood) pitched six quality innings before getting into trouble in the seventh that would lead to a pitching change. Kinney allowed four hits and two runs (one earned) and struck out seven before going into the seventh.
“Patrick (Kinney) is doing awesome for us for only two outings so far,” Coach Hargrove added. “Kinney is pitching incredible on three days rest.”
The Hornell Dodgers have now won two straight games.
The same two teams meet again Friday night for a 7 p.m. first pitch. Rochester has a day off before hosting Oneonta for 7 p.m. start Thursday night.
Hornell travels to Geneva for a tilt with the Twins. First pitch at McDonough Park is also slated for 7 p.m.
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