By Nick Ristoff
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Syracuse Jr. Chiefs defeated the Geneva Red Wings 3-2 in New York Collegiate Baseball League action, Saturday night at Onondaga Community College.
With their backs against the wall for a playoff spot, beating the first placed Red Wings is a good start for the Jr. Chiefs.
“Today I think everyone saw that the bounces kind of went our way and it paid off, it’s a W,” Coach Haynes said. “We still have a lot of energy even though it has been a tough season, everyone’s friends, everyone is there for one and another so it’s good to see that were still having fun and winning games,” Haynes added.
Iannick Remillard (Canisius Col) got his first win as a Jr. Chief and pitched a gem. Remillard pitched six complete innings, gave up two runs on six hits against the high-powered Red Wings He struck out three batters and walked two.
“I was keeping my slider and splitter away, it helped me a lot with ground balls and first pitch outs, “ Remillard said. “It’s the end of the season and a battle, any win we can get we’ll take.”
John Bednarek (St. Thomas Aquinas) came in to relieve Remillard in the seventh inning and pitched two complete innings. Bednarek struck out two batters, allowed no hits and no runs.
To close out the game, coach Haynes brought in his best guy. Thomas Eng (Adrian) stepped on the bump in the top of the ninth inning and with his signature confidence and swagger, retired the side allowing only one hit and no runs. After Eng’s last pitch he turned to the Red Wings bench and bowed respectfully as he always does.
The first run for the Jr. Chiefs came in the second inning. Carlos Tapia (Siena) hit a double through left center then stole third to put himself into scoring position. Two batters later Brian Dudek (Buffalo) stepped to the plate and ripped a single that allowed Tapia to score.
In the bottom of the fourth inning the Jr. Chiefs tacked on two more runs that would prove to be the difference. Mark Martin (Bryant) walked, and Brian Dudek did the same. Martin advanced to third on a wild pitch and Dudek stole second to put them both in scoring positions. Then Cooper Belyea (Ithaca) stepped up and hit a ground ball to the Red Wings shortstop, Mike Osinski (Longwood U). Osinski scooped the ball and fired it right over the head of the first baseman into foul territory. Both Martin and Dudek scored.
For the Red Wings, Clint Roche (Marietta) went 2-4 with an RBI. Cameron Coons (Alvernia) went 1-1 with an RBI and Ricky Gorrell (Kutztown) went 2-4.
The loss snapped an eight-game Geneva winning streak.
The Jr. Chiefs (12-23) square off against the Oneonta Outlaws (19-14) on Sunday and hope to turn this win into a late season streak. The first pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Onondaga Community College. Geneva (20-12) travels to Olean for a 3 p.m first pitch with Olean (10-21).
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