By Paul Gotham
HOUGHTON, N.Y. — Michael Kerr (Houghton) doesn’t have any tattoos, not at least those made with ink. The Genesee Rapids outfielder didn’t waste any time leaving a mark on Wednesday night’s New York Collegiate Baseball League game.
Kerr slammed a three-run home run as the Rapids batted around in an eight-run first en route to a 10-5 victory over the Niagara Power.
“He gave me a good pitch to hit, and I was able to put a good swing on it,” Kerr said. “The previous batters saw some softer pitches, and I was able to gauge the speed. I was looking for one pitch, one spot. It was a 2-0 pitch, and he put it in that spot.”
The win snapped a two-game slide as the Rapids evened their record at 2-2.
“We’ve really struggled the past couple of games with our approach at the plate,” Genesee coach Tyler Rost said. “We had very few hard-hit balls the last couple of games, so it was really encouraging to see that in the first inning.”
Andrew Bonnette (Walsh) paced the Rapids with three hits. The Tallmadge, Ohio native is hitting .563 (9-16) in the early going.
“I know our lineup is good,” Rost added. “I know that’s what they’re capable of. It’s just been approach. We’ve been trying to stress that the last couple of days. When we get ahead in counts, if you’re going to swing, it needs to be a good swing. You have to make good contact.”
Jared Knowlton (Houghton) picked up the win. The right-hander allowed five runs (three earned) over five and a third.
A trio of Genesee relievers turned in a near-pristine performance.
Jordan White (Aurora University) came on with two runners in scoring position and got the first two batters he faced to end the threat. White pitched a scoreless seventh.
Zach Uher (Baruch), the opening day winner, retired the side in order in the eighth fanning two.
Jason Euler (Mesa CC) struck out the side in order in the ninth.
“Night and day,” Rost said of his bullpen. “Last night we couldn’t throw strikes. They were lights out tonight. They did a great job.”
The first inning proved costly for Niagara who outscored the Rapids 4-2 for the last eight innings.
“That first inning they had every hit was where our guys weren’t,” Niagara coach Josh Rebandt noted. “You can’t defend guys who get base hits. In two through nine our energy was still up. I feel confident because our guys our confident. We just had one inning where the other team hits the ball. That’s going to happen in the game of baseball.”
Danny Twitty (St. Leo) hurled three shutout innings in relief for the Power. The right-hander struck out five and allowed just one baserunner and only one ball out of the infield.
“He’s been good,” Rebandt said of Twitty. He’s a guy who’s fresh. He wasn’t used a whole lot this spring at his school. He’s ready to go. He’s a competitor. He’s going to attack the strike zone. I’m really proud of the way he pitched tonight. He kept us in the game. He gave us a chance to win.”
Jack Moore (Colorado Christian University) allowed two unearned runs over four innings for Niagara.
Our bullpen, they pounded the strike zone, and they gave up two unearned runs. You do that, you’re going to give yourself a chance to win. I’m proud of both of those guys.”
Kerr has been hit by pitch four times through the first four games.
Genesee (2-2) travels to Rochester to take on the Ridgemen (3-1). A 7 pm first pitch is scheduled at Basket Road Field.
Niagara (1-2) host the Syracuse Salt Cats (2-2). First pitch at Sal Maglie Stadium is also 7 pm.
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