By Kathryne Davis
SHERRILL, N.Y. — On a rainy Sunday afternoon, Mitch Cavanagh (St. Johns U) pitched eight strong innings, allowing one run on six hits, as the Sherrill Silversmiths defeated the Rochester Ridgemen 7-5 in New York Collegiate Baseball League action at Noyes Park.
Cavanagh pulled double-duty combining his pitcher performance with the eventual game-winning two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth.
“Mitch did great,” said Sherrill Head Coach Greg Dombrowski.
The Silversmiths looked like they were cruising to a victory, after only giving up one run in the first eight innings. Alexander Mumm (Judson U) led off the ninth with a solo home run. Chase Burrow (Mary Hardin-Baylor) walked in the next at-bat and advanced to second on a Larry Vidaurre (Nyack College) single. Pitcher Tyler Clifford (SUNY Brockport) got the next two outs before Nick Wolyniec (Bergen CC) connected on a three-run shot.
Cory Poplawski (Salve Regina U) came in relief to get the final out. After walking the first batter he faced, he was able to get the next one to fly out and end the game.
Stephen Chandler (Arkansas Little Rock) started and pitched three innings of scoreless baseball for the Ridgemen. In the fourth, Sherrill broke open the game on a big hit off the bat of Alex Saville (Monroe CC). Reid Neal (Florida Atlantic U) reached on an error and Kevin Brice (Pomona-Pitzer) singled before Saville went yard, giving the home team a quick three-run lead.
The Ridgemen got one back in the top of the fifth. Mumm led off with a single and scored later in the inning on an Andy Santana (Geneva College) single.
Nick Duarte (Siena College) reached on a one-out single in the seventh. Bryan Baquer (Washington College) followed with his first home run of the season.
“When Alex’s (Saville) ball left the yard, maybe the wind had something to do with it,” said Dombrowski. “Home runs won the ball game.”
Chandler took the loss allowing five runs on seven hits over seven innings, while striking out six.
Cavanagh picked up his first win of the season. He also struck out eight batters and walked three.
Poplawski notched his third save of the season.
The game started two hours earlier than scheduled due to the weather. Throughout almost all of the game, the rain was present. As the game went on, the field became wet and wasn’t able to dry. The ball also became harder to grip. This had an effect on the game.
“The pitchers lost command at the end of the game,” said Dombrowski. He continued by saying that his team battled through the rain and wind, showing toughness.
Mumm, Wolyniec and Matt Emge (Ohio State U) led Rochester with two hits apiece. Wolyniec had three RBI and scored a run. Mumm drove in one and scored twice.
Brice and Baquer both had two hits. Brice scored twice, while Baquer scored one run and hit in two.
Sherrill (19-15) has a day off before traveling to take on the Cortland Crush (11-23) at Beaudry Park. Game time is 5 p.m. Rochester (19-16) goes home to play the Niagara Power (18-17), Monday, 7 p.m. at Basket Rd. Field.
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