Wright goes the distance as Smitties down Outlaws in game one

By Nate Discavage

ONEONTA, N.Y. — Oneonta native, David Wright (SUNY Oneonta) pitched a complete game against his hometown team as the Sherrill Silversmiths defeated the Oneonta Outlaws 8-3 in the New York Collegiate Baseball League Eastern Divisional Series at Damaschke Field, Sunday. It was Sherrill’s first playoff game in franchise history.

The six foot southpaw allowed three runs on six hits while striking out five. Entering the ninth inning, he was working on a two hit shutout before a late rally by the Outlaws.

“I tried not to make it more than it was. I wanted to just come here and do what I do best and establish my fastball down in the zone early, and it ended up working out,” Wright said. “I’m not really a big strikeout guy; I just pitch to contact and keep my pitch count down.”

J.T. Genovese (University of Albany) took the loss for Oneonta. He allowed one run on two hits in five innings pitched. Genovese walked one and struck out four.

Sherrill drew first blood in the top of the first inning. After two quick fly outs, Reid Neal (Florida Atlantic University) hit a double to left field that just eluded the glove of a diving Matt Pelt (Wofford College). Kevin Brice (Pimona-Pitzer College) knocked an RBI single up the middle to put the Silversmiths ahead 1-0.

An intense pitcher’s duel between Wright and Genovese continued until Genovese was removed in the sixth. Neal tripled to the right center gap off reliever Jeremy Roberts (Stonehill College). He scored on Alex Saville’s (Monroe Community College) RBI single to extend the lead to 2-0. Brice, who reached on an intentional walk, came around to score on an RBI single to left by Christian Triplett (North Carolina Central University).

Neal walked to start the eighth inning before Brice singled to put runners at the corners with no outs. Saville attempted to score Neal on a suicide squeeze, but Oneonta catcher, Carson Waln (Wofford College) jumped out of his crouch to make a bare handed catch. Brice had strayed too far off the bag at first, and Waln gunned a throw down the line for an attempted double play. Oneonta first baseman, Frank D’Agostino (Temple University) had crashed in on the bunt attempt was not at the bag to catch the throw which sailed into right field. Neal scored to make it 4-0.

The Silversmiths broke the game open in the top of the ninth. Nicholas Duarte (Siena College) and Ellington Hopkins (Monroe Community College) hit back-to-back one out singles before Brian Baquer (Washington College) walked to load the bases. Outlaws’ reliever, Austin Wallace (University of Georgia) hit Kellen Brown (Florida Atlantic University) with a pitch to push a run across the plate. Brice would later hit a two run single up the middle to make it 7-0. Saville would cap off the outburst with an RBI single to right field which landed just in front of Taylor Jones (University of North Georgia).

Oneonta showed resolve when facing the eight-run deficit. Jones and Dan Fickas (University of South Carolina-Upstate) both hit singles before Ramon Osuna Sanchez (College of Charleston) hit an RBI single to break up the shutout in the ninth. Pelt hit an RBI single to push Fickas across the plate before Waln hit a sacrifice fly to left field. Wright forced Tyler Martis (Siena College) to fly out to centerfield to end the game.

Brice led both teams offensively. He went 3-4 with three RBI, a run, and a stolen base.

“I just came out here trying to have fun,” Brice said. “I am just coming out here trying to see the ball, get some good at bats, and battle at the plate.”

Saville and Neal both had two hits for Sherrill. They combined for seven total bases.

Pelt was the only Outlaw with multiple hits. He went 2-4 with an RBI, double, and stolen base.

Sherrill Coach, Greg Dombrowski was glad he was able to give his bullpen an off day as he looks forward to game two.

“We have to stick to our game plan—grind out one at bat at a time, one pitch at a time,” Dombrowski said. “Huge to get a first win tonight anytime you’re in the playoffs.”

Oneonta coach, Joe Hughes looks to rally his team tomorrow and for the rest of the playoffs.

“You have to turn the page and put this game behind you and show up to play tomorrow,” Hughes said.

After winning game one, the Silversmiths return to Sherrill for game two tomorrow against the Outlaws. A 3 p.m. first pitch is scheduled. Sherrill can clinch a spot in the Eastern Division Championship Series with a win; otherwise, the two teams would return to Oneonta for a game three tiebreaker. Tomorrow’s probables are Mitch Cavanagh (St. John’s University) for Sherrill and Taylor Hicks (University of Georgia) for the Outlaws.