Power even series with Dodgers

By Justin LaDuca

Niagara Falls, NY — The Niagara Power held on to defeat the Hornell Dodgers 3-2 in New York Collegiate Baseball League Western Divisional Series action at Sal Maglie Stadium, Tuesday night.

 

Brandon Sandoval (Vanguard) gave the first-place Dodgers an early lead when he singled home Jake Kenney (SUNY Brockport) and Blake Thomas (Webster U).

 

Niagara cut the lead in half in the bottom of the fifth when catcher Michael Crowley brought home A.J Hammond (Millersville University) with a sacrifice fly.

 

The Power knotted the game in the sixth inning. Caleb Lang (Philadelphia Biblical) hit a long RBI Double that plated Jarret James (Ball State).

 

The biggest moment of the game came in the bottom of the eighth inning.  With runners on second and third and one out, Lang stepped into the box facing reliever Jeff Beall (Urbana), who threw a wild pitch that scored Ivan Acuna (Catawba Valley CC).  Niagara took the lead 3-2.

 

 

“That’s our identity as a team,” said Niagara coach Josh Rebandt. “We’re a team that battles back and won’t quit, and I have a special group of guys.”

 

Zach Verner (John Carroll University) came out of the bullpen and took control in the ninth. He fanned three straight for the save.

 

Daniel Twitty (St. Leo) got the win.

Will Kirby (Clearwater Christian) started and allowed two runs on six hits and one walk over seven and two-thirds for Niagara.  He fanned six.

 

“I liked how Kirby was able to get ahead of hitters and keep them off balance at the plate,” Rebandt commented.

 

 

Zach Krivda (Penn St. Greater Allegheny) allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits over six and a third. Krivda struck out five and walked none.

 

Hornell’s Thad Johnson (St. Bonaventure) led all batters with two hits.

 

Niagara and Hornell meet Wednesday at Maple City Park for the third game of the Western Divisional Series. A 7 p.m. first pitch is scheduled.