By PAUL GOTHAM
WELLSVILLE, N.Y. — Genesee’s Rapids backed a solid performance on the mound with a late-inning rally to defeat the Wellsville Nitros, 4-2 in New York Collegiate Baseball League action at Wellsville Central Schools, Saturday.
Corey Andrade (Anna Maria) sparked a three-run ninth with a one-out home run. The Genesee first baseman connected on a two ball-one strike offering from Wellsville reliever, Adam Schmitt (Concordia) as the Rapids erased a one-run deficit in their final at bat.
“That was big for us,” Genesee manager Tyler Rost said of the home run. “It gave us a little momentum and we were able to push a couple more across.”
Tommy Haas (Arkansas-Pine Bluff) and Jake Shelby (Hesston) followed with back-to-back singles as Genesee added two more runs in the inning.
“It was a good team win and a great way to start the season,” Rost added.
Vincent Santarsiero (Fontbonne) picked up the win. The 6-7 right-hander allowed two runs on two hits over eight innings.
“He threw really well today,” Rost stated. “He was throwing four pitches for strikes and keeping guys off balance.”
Santarsiero fanned four while walking none. The Alachua, Fla. native retired eight straight between the second and fifth innings.
“He kept us in the game and gave us a chance to win,” Rost continued.
Jason Collingwood (Greenville) worked a scoreless ninth for the save.
Eric Palmer (Concord U) started and went seven innings for Wellsville. The right-hander allowed one unearned run on one hit. He retired six on punch outs and walked three.
Shelby started the fifth with a base hit and eventually scored on an error as Genesee grabbed the early lead.
Wellsville rallied for two runs in the eighth.
Travis Macrides (D’Youville) reached on an error and scored on a Chris Collins (Hamilton) triple. Collins scored on a ground out by his brother, Kenneth Collins (Hamilton).
The bottom of the Genesee batting order combined for five hits. Shelby led the way with two. The six through nine hole scored all four of Genesee’s runs.
The same two teams meet again, Sunday at Houghton’s Kerr-Pegula Athletic Complex.
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