By RYAN McDONOUGH
OLEAN, N.Y. — It was a classic pitcher’s duel for a majority of the contest. However, neither starter received a decision in the game.
An eighth-inning double from Trevor Thompson (Ithaca) broke a 3-3 tie to give the Hornell Dodgers a 4-3 lead that would eventually hold as they defeated the Olean Oilers in a New York College Baseball League game on Monday at Bradner Stadium.
That wasn’t the only action Thompson was in on.
In the first inning, Thompson got things going with a two-run double to score Jimmy Latona (Mercyhurst) and Steven Goldstein (U of Kansas) to put the Dodgers up, 2-0.
Olean responded with a run of its own in the bottom half of the first inning, as Sam Kysor (South Carolina Upstate) delivered on an RBI single that plated Isaac Dillard (Gulf Coast CC).
The next several innings were relatively quiet at the plate, as both starting pitchers found their groves. Zachary Krivda (Penn State Behrend) took the Dodgers to the seventh inning with the 2-1 lead, scattering just four hits throughout. The southpaw, who finished fifth in the NYCBL with 52 strikeouts in 2014, struck out five Oilers in his six innings of work.
“He pitched for us last year, and was outstanding,” said Dodgers’ coach Tom Kenney. “He picked up right where he left off and gave us a great outing.”
Brandon Schlimm (St. Bonaventure), in his first career NYCBL outing, pitched into the seventh inning as well, fanning eight Dodgers along the way.
“Anytime you give up a run with two outs, it can be really deflating, and Brandon took it in stride,” Oilers’ coach Bobby Bell said in praise of his starter’s tenacity. “He got stronger as the game progressed. I think once he gets comfortable with the new catcher, new team and new ballpark atmosphere, he’s going to be really great for us down the road.”
In the top of the seventh Hornell’s Collin Fantaskey (Mercyhurst) reached first on an error. After stealing second, Fantaskey attempted to swipe his second bag of the inning. The throw got away at third base, and Fantaskey scored Hornell’s third run of the game to give them a 3-1 lead.
Andrew White (Buffalo) came on to relieve Schlimm, who surrendered four hits in his 6.1 innings of work.
Olean would fight back, though.
Off Hornell reliever Richie Harkenrider (SUNY Cortland), Matthew Kamenicky (Clarion) and Aaron Phillips got things rolling with back-to-back singles to leadoff the eighth inning. A wide throw to third off a Jonathan Lapolla (Suffolk U) bunt allowed both runners to score and tie the game, 4-4.
The Dodgers responded in the top of the eighth. Goldstein drew a two-out walk. After Thompson stepped to the plate, Goldstein stole second base, setting the table for Thompson’s game-winning double, which was good for his third RBI of the game.
“He’s got a good baseball mind, and he can swing it,” Kenney said. “He had a couple big hits today. He put us on the board, and came up with the big double. Outstanding.”
Harkenrider, who did not pitch in his college season due to an arm injury, settled in for the Dodgers and shut the door for the Dodgers, earning the win in three innings of work and striking out seven of the nine Oilers he faced.
“He was a bulldog out there,” coach Kenney said of his reliever. “Got a based-loaded strike out with their four-hole hitter up with the go-ahead run on third. He came up big for us.”
According to Kenney, the Dodgers aren’t at full strength quite yet, as they are still waiting for several players to join the team in the coming days.
“I’m anxious about having everybody in within the next few days. I’m ready to get after it.”
Tonight’s game was the second time the two teams met this year. They were scheduled to play Sunday, May 31, however, the game was postponed due to rain and rescheduled to July 15 at Maple City Park.
The two teams will play seven more times this season.
Seven runs were scored in tonight’s game, however, only three of which were earned. A total of eight errors were recorded.
Thompson went 2-3 with three RBI.
Sam Kysor (USC Upstate) delivered two hits with one RBI and one run scored.
Fantaskey stole two bases for the Dodgers.
Four different Oilers were caught stealing.
Both teams had six hits. Both teams’ hits were distributed amongst five players.
Both teams had double-digit strikeout totals at the plate (Hornell 11; Olean 12).
The Oilers will travel to Genesee to play two games against the Rapids to be played on June 2 and June 3, both game times set for 7:00 P.M. Hornell will head to Geneva to play the Twins on Thursday, June 4. First pitch is set for 5:00 P.M.
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