By Nick Ristoff
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Fireworks celebrating America’s 238th birthday lit up the Syracuse skyline throughout Friday night’s inter-divisional game between the Niagara Power and Syracuse Jr. Chiefs.
Niagara put on their own pyrotechnics display at the plate as the Power defeated the Jr. Chiefs 4-2 in a New York Collegiate Baseball League battle at Onondaga Community College.
The Power stand currently in third place of the Western Division in the NYCBL and are figuring out ways to consistently win games.
“It’s a different way every night,” Niagara coach Josh Rebandt said. “Our defensive pitching kept us in the game tonight.”
Blake Hohlbein (Huntington) got his fourth win of the season, he is yet to lose a game this summer. Hohlbein threw 102 pitches, pitched eight innings, gave up five hits, and struck out two batters.
“I’ve really started to develop my slider,” Hohlbein said. “Even through the end of the college season and into this season it’s become one of my better pitches and it’s been great to throw that for strikes consistently.”
Hohlbein’s game plan coming leading into Friday’s game was to get on top of the count and try to get the Jr. Chiefs to ground or pop out on the first pitch.
The Jr. Chiefs had other plans though. In the bottom of the first inning Gabe Levanti (Northeastern) roped a double to center field. Vinny Mallaro (U of Buffalo) stood up to the plate and knocked a base hit that gave Levanti enough time to reach third base. Mark Martin (Bryant) cracked a single that gave him an RBI and the Jr. Chiefs the early one to nothing lead.
Hohlbein stayed poised on the bump, got out of the first inning and didn’t allow another run scored in the eight innings he pitched.
“If we throw a pitch and it doesn’t feel how we want it, even if it’s a strike we just step off of the mound and take a deep breath, focus in on the next pitch,” Hohlbein said of his poise to bounce back from giving up the early run. “Nothing’s deader than the past we say.”
In the top of the eighth inning Thomas Jordan (Northwood) relieved Marshall Clutter (Ave Maria) and got himself into some trouble. Jordan walked two batters, gave up a hit and then threw consecutive wild pitches that allowed Niagara to take their first lead of the game. Once they had the lead, they weren’t going to give it back. The Power stayed aggressive on offense.
“We want to grind out at bats,” Rebandt said. “We want make sure our guy’s know what pitch they’re looking for.”
The Power tacked on an insurance run in the top of the ninth inning. Jack Trotman (UMass-Lowell) drove in RJ Waters (Northwestern) to secure the win. Trotman went 2-3 on the evening with one RBI.
The Jr. Chiefs attempted to rally in the bottom of the ninth inning but fell short, only able to add on run to their total.
The Power (16-11), tangled up in a three-way race for second place in the Western Division, are fighting for a playoff spot and home field advantage.
“Our goal each day is to get better and that’s been our goal since day one and if getting better each day leaves us with the two or three seed then that’s where we end up,” coach Rebandt said.
The Jr. Chiefs (9-20) host the Sherrill Silversmiths (14-14) Saturday at 7 p.m. The Power take to the road for a game with the first-place Hornell Dodgers (22-6), also at 7 p.m.
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