By Taylor Nigrelli
NIAGARA, NY — Buddy McCoy (University of Texas at Tyler) hit two doubles and knocked in three runs, Hunter Lewis earned his second win on eight innings pitched, and the Niagara Power (6-5) avenged Tuesday’s shutout loss as they defeated the Syracuse Salt Cats (7-4) 9-4 in New York Collegiate Baseball League action Wednesday night at Sal Maglie Field in Niagara Falls.
Niagara Coach Josh Rebandt had no doubt the team would rebound well from Tuesday’s blowout loss.
“We talked about it yesterday and I told the team we’d come around at some point,” Rebandt said. “We have a lot of good hitters and we had a lot of guys who were squaring up well and they just weren’t falling for us. Tonight, we got some balls to fall for us, and we put some pressure on their defense. I think it really helped us out.”
Wednesday’s win was Niagara’s first home win in only its second home game. The team played nine of its first 10 games outside the friendly confines of Sal Maglie Field. Rebandt believes the team coming back to a familiar territory played a role in the win.
“We’ve been on the road for the past four or five days and I think it took a toll on the guys,” Rebandt said. “I told them yesterday that once we got a change of scenery, we’d see a change in energy. And when we showed up to the park today, guys were a little bit more enthusiastic. I think it’s good to be home.”
Sloppiness and a variety of defensive errors led to 10 combined runs being scored before the bottom of the third. Despite giving up four runs early, two unearned due to Niagara errors, Lewis was able to maintain focus and didn’t give up a run in his final five innings pitched.
Rebandt credits Lewis’s in-game turnaround to his improved fastball command.
“His first couple innings he struggled with his fastball command,” Rebandt said. “Our pitching coach talked to him between innings, telling him to establish the fastball because he threw a lot of breaking balls early.
“That’s what helped him make it through eight innings. I think establishing the fastball is the best thing you can do as a pitcher. Then once he can throw the off-speed stuff, he’ll be even beter.”
Niagara scored nine runs but did it without much power as they had only three extra-base hits. They scored on a sacrifice fly, moved runners with sacrifice bunts, took advantage of multiple throwing errors and worked four walks.
In the second inning the Power scored three runs after having two outs and no one on. However, no inning displayed the Power’s small-ball ability better than the bottom of the sixth. Catcher Tyler Simmons (Wingate University) singled to start the inning, centerfielder Cody Pentecost (College of the Ozarks) then singled, Simmons advanced all the way to third, the Syracuse outfielder threw the ball home which allowed Pentecost to advance to second. Catcher Tyler Barret (Central Connecticut State) then attempted to throw the ball to second but sent it into right field which allowed Pentecost to move to third and Simmons to score.
Another facet of the game the Power excelled in was base running. Niagara players stole nine bases Wednesday to run their season total to 23. Rebandt said the team being daring on the base paths is the result of an aggressive team mentality.
“I told the guys at our first practice to be ready to run,” Rebandt said. “I like to be aggressive, I like to take advantage of a team’s defense.”
The Power will be off Thursday but open up a four-game set against the Geneva Red Wings Friday at Sal Maglie Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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