By PAUL GOTHAM
GENEVA, N.Y. – Rains caused the postponement of Monday’s season opener for both the Geneva Red Wings and Cortland Crush. Red Wing starter Brandon Humbertson (Salisbury) made the most of the delay.
Humbertson hurled a complete game as Geneva defeated Cortland, 4-1 in New York Collegiate Baseball League action at McDonough Park, Tuesday night.
The right-hander struck out eight and allowed eight hits and one walk.
“He just kept battling,” first-year Geneva manager Ryan Kassab said. “He knew they weren’t going to hit him hard. He just kept going at them.”
After allowing four straight hits in the second inning, Humbertson settled in and retired 16 of 17 from the third inning to the eighth.
“Got to get the first strike really,” Humbertson said when asked of his approach. “If you get the first strike it’s huge. Fastball inside was working. Changeup was working really. I didn’t have my best curveball, but a day like today fastball-change up you can get away with things.”
“The second inning there was nothing he could have done better or worse at that point,” Kassab said. “It was just three infield singles that were tough for the infielders to come up and get.”
Alex Rodriguez (Methodist) snapped a one-all tie in the sixth with a base hit to left center scoring Casey Kies (SUNY Oneonta) from second.
One inning later Lucas Zilli (Michigan State) added some insurance. With runners on second and third, Zilli took a fastball from Cortland reliever Chris Rupprecht (Neumann) and lifted it over a drawn infield into right center scoring two.
“First pitch in that at bat I was trying hit a ball deep pretty much,” Zilli explained. “I missed that. Next pitch in the dirt. They moved up and I’m like okay just get one in play and get a fly ball. It ended up dropping for a hit.”
Tanner Ivey and Harry Roberson (Amherst College) scored on the play to give Geneva a three-run cushion at 4-1.
“It’s nice to get the first one out of the way early,” Kassab said. “It’s good to not hang around and put a little pressure on.”
TJ Peterson (State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota) started and went six innings for Cortland. The southpaw allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits.
“T.J. had an outstanding start,” Cortland manager Bill McConnell said. “Great change up and a good curve ball had them off guard. Couldn’t be more pleased with our pitching today.”
Peterson struck out two, walked and retired seven straight from the third through the fifth.
“I felt good out there,” Peterson said. “I got ahead with my fastball. Hitting my spots getting my outs.”
Cortland strung together four base hits in the second to take an early lead. Luke Gilbert (SUNY Brockport) brought home Matthew Alberino (Northland) for a 1-0 Crush lead.
“For the first game out just being here two days with all of the rain we’ve had here,” McConnell commented. “We wanted to come out and stick the ball. I thought we did a good job there.”
Geneva managed just one hit through the first five innings but scored an unearned run in the third to knot the game at one. Tommy O’Hara reached on a dropped third strike and eventually scored on a two-out single by Kies.
“We had some undisciplined at bats there at first,” Kassab noted. “Honestly, with this group of guys until we get together and gel I’m going to let the guys play. If they see an opportunity, one down the middle, I’m going to let them swing. It’s what the fans want to see. We want to see swings.”
Chris Mattison (Frederick CC) collected two doubles for Cortland.
The Crush travel to Syracuse to play the Salt Cats on Thursday. A 7 p.m. first pitch is scheduled at Onondaga Community College.
“I’m pleased with where we are with the hits right now,” McConnell said. “We’ve got 28 guys who think as a team right now. They’re pulling for each other. We are on a positive swing.”
Geneva has a quick turnaround and will play the Syracuse Jr. Chiefs at noon on Wednesday.
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