By Stephen Borgna
CORTLAND, N.Y.—The Geneva Red Wings topped the Cortland Crush 4-2 in New York Collegiate Baseball League action on a stormy Monday evening.
The Red Wings managed to outlast the rallying Crush during the ninth inning, while a storm appeared out of nowhere and brought havoc to Beaudry Park.
Geneva had a solid defensive performance overall. Tyler Fletcher (College of Charleston) accumulated five strikeouts in seven innings on the mound, with the Crush’s only run until the ninth inning occurring on a walk with bases loaded in the fourth. Brian Zielinski (University of Alvernia) came in to relieve in the eighth inning.
The game remained scoreless for the first two innings. Then at the top of the third, Sam Kim (University of Hawaii Hilo) sent the ball sailing over the left field fence for a two run home run. It was now 2-0 Red Wings.
“He got a hold of it,” Cortland Coach Yale Hughes said. “That was a no-doubter.”
Julio Nuñez (University of Alabama) stole home an inning later, making the score 3-0. Geneva would score their final run in the eighth inning, after Jordan Haas (University of Arkansas Pine Bluff) hit an RBI single that broke his bat and sent it flying in two pieces.
By the ninth inning, the weather took a turn for the worst. Heavy rain consumed Beaudry Park, while thunder and lightning rattled off in the distant hills of Upstate New York. The Crush took the opportunity to mobilize for a late-game rally.
Sean McCoy (Pomona Pitzer College) got the rally started with a single to right field. Alex Lind (Lake Erie College) followed up McCoy’s single with an RBI single to center, sending him home. 4-2 Red Wings.
With the rain coming down harder, Joel Brophy (Niagara University) watched four balls go by for a walk. The Crush’s tying run was now on first. But just as Andrew Mercer (University of Southern Indiana) came on the mound to relieve for Zielinski, the officials called the game. The rain proved to be overwhelming, and Beaudry Park couldn’t take anymore.
The umpires’ decision to call the game was a disappointing one for the Crush, as they were in position to possibly tie it up. However, Hughes was pleased with his team’s efforts.
“We hit the ball a lot better,” Hughes said. “Even our outs were hard outs. We were hitting line drives to shortstop; we’re hitting the ball hard. I think it’s a good a start for us.
The Crush (2-6) will be taking on the Syracuse Jr. Chiefs (4-8) at 7p.m. tonight at Beaudry Park.
The Geneva Red Wings (7-5)—who hold second place in the eastern division—will be playing the Syracuse Salt Cats (7-8) tonight at McDonough Park at 7p.m.
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