By Kyle Conklin
GENEVA, NY — On a Friday in Geneva pitching ruled the night, so much so that the Red Wings needed just a lone run to defeat the visiting Hornell Dodgers in New York Collegiate Baseball League action at McDonough Park.
The Wings were led on the mound by starter Jordan Hanlon (Elmhurst College) who put together eight shutout innings while giving up just four hits, striking out nine and walking none. Hanlon started off the game by striking out the side and continued his dominance into the night.
Hornell starter Connell Anderson (Wofford College) was almost as strong on the mound going six innings allowing just three hits but took the loss after giving up just one run.
The lone run of the game came in the bottom of the sixth inning for the Red Wings. After a ground out to the pitcher to start the inning, Geneva second baseman Scott Shields (Cuesta College) singled to reach first base. After a fly out for the second out, Shields executed a perfect delayed steal to move himself into scoring position. Geneva third baseman Casey Fox (Haverford College) then delivered a clutch two-out, two-strike base hit up the middle to score Shields and give the home team a 1-0 advantage.
The Dodgers threatened to tie up the game in the bottom of the seventh inning.
After Hanlon retired the first two batters of the inning, Dodgers first baseman Aaron Haag (Southeastern Louisiana) doubled to move into scoring position. Hanlon however battled back and retired the next batter on a ground out to preserve the lead.
After a scoreless eighth, the Dodgers were down to their last at bats with the top of the lineup coming up. However Geneva closer Zach Augustine (Johns Hopkins University) was up to the task and retired the top of the order 1-2-3 to get his third save of the season and preserve the win for the Red Wings.
With the victory the Red Wings improve to 9-7 as the Dodgers fell to 8-10 with the loss. With the back to back wins against Hornell, Geneva is now 7-3 in their last ten games after a bit of a sluggish start to the season. Pitching has really keyed the turnaround for the Wings. With the shutout the Red Wing team ERA is now just 3.44 the third best mark in the league.
The two teams will now move their series to Hornell as they take the field again Saturday night at 7:00.
THE HORNELL DODGERS MANAGER PUT ON A HECK OF SHOW AFTER BEING EJECTED FOR ARGUING BALLS AND STRIKES ON A CHECK SWING. BOUNCED HELMET OFF GROUND AND GOT EJECTED AND AFTER BEING EJECTED KICKED HELMET PAST PITCHERS MOUND. I THOUGHT SWEET LOU PINELLA WAS IN TOWN.