By ANTHONY SAMBROTTO
NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — The Niagara Power have figured out a perfect pitching combination for doubleheaders.
The Power, with Brandon Mumaw (St. Leo University) and Nathan Robinson (Cedarville University) on the hill, swept (6-0, 2-1) the Geneva Twins Friday night in a New York Collegiate Baseball League doubleheader at Sal Maglie Stadium.
The Power used the same two starters for last week’s doubleheader against the Wellsville Nitros, when they also won both games.
The lefty Mumaw started game one, and pitched the entire seven inning game. A day after the Power scored 17 runs, they again provided more than enough offense for their starter on Friday.
Niagara wasted no time against Twins’ starter, J.T. Conti (Wayne St. University). After raking in five hits Thursday, Caleb Lang (Cairn University) got the scoring going in the bottom of the first with a double to score a run. Lang scored when he stole third and came home on an error.
The Power kept building on their lead in the bottom of the second with RBI from both Jordan Hayes (Olivet Nazarene University) and Ethan Hurt (Trevecca University). At the end of two it was 4-0, Power.
After being slowed down the next two innings, the Power were able to again get runners on base for the middle of their order. This time it was A.J Bruner (Trinity International University) and Bryan Klendworth (Olivet Nazarene University) who did the damage, each connecting on RBI base hits.
Those six runs would be more than enough for Mumaw, who went on to record eight strikeouts, five hits and one walk. Mumaw is having one of the most impressive pitching campaigns in the NYCBL this year, with a 0.30 ERA over four starts, picking up three wins and striking out a remarkable 22 batters, which is tied for second-most in the league.
“I just keep trying to go out there and throw strikes and let my defense play defense behind me, ” Mumaw said. “They have played great all year and make great plays behind me.”
Game two featured significantly less scoring, but had quite a bit of drama.
Robinson, the reigning NYCBL Pitcher of the Week faced off against Geneva starter T.J. Polito (St. John Fisher).
The Power once again jumped out to an early lead against the Twins, this time playing small ball. After a walk and a stolen base, Hayes hit a sacrifice fly to score catcher Jessep Polk (North Greenville University).
Getting off to early leads has been important to how well the pitching has performed.
“We keep getting ahead early, and as a pitching staff we just want to get shutdown innings and control the lead and keep it throughout the rest of the game, “Mumaw said.
The Twins would not be shut out two games in a row, and got their first run of the day in the top of the second with an RBI single from J.T. Pittman (Le Moyne College).
Niagara didn’t like being tied, and got the lead back in the next half inning. Once again getting base runners on with walks and advancing them with bunts, Bruner hit a sacrifice fly to score Hurt with the go ahead run to make it 2-1, Power.
That inning would be it for Polito, who gave up five walks in three innings while allowing two earned runs.
Robinson continued to deal for the Power, and upped Mumaw’s strikeout total by recording nine of his own.
Manager Josh Rebandt decided to use his bullpen in this game, something he hadn’t done in the previous three doubleheader games. Robinson finished with six innings pitched, an earned run and eight hits.
Nick Campe (Olivet Nazarene University) allowed two runners to reach base in the top of the seventh, but struck out the final batter of the game to secure the win for the Power and get his sixth save of the season.
The Power have now won six of their last seven games and sit in sole possession of first place in the NYCBL’s Western Division.
“We are doing all the little things right now, ” Rebandt said. “Things like stealing bases and our hitters are being very selfless. Runner at third and less than two outs, our hitters are just looking for a ball to drive into the outfield. Those are the little things that helps build a team, helps you get better, helps you win.”
Bruner, who had RBI in both games and is also on Niagara’s pitching staff agrees with his manager.
“We work really well together, Bruner said. ” We aren’t selfish and we love to work for each other. Pitchers have been working hard on and off the field and it paid off again tonight.”
The Power (12-5) get three days off before they can continue that winning streak, with the team’s next game not until they travel to Wellsville for a 5 p.m. first pitch Tuesday night. The Twins (8-9) try to get back to winning with a father’s day doubleheader against the Olean Oilers beginning at 1 p.m. at McDonough Park.
Geneva’s Marty Napleton (St. Joseph’s College) had three hits over the two games, including two doubles. Napleton caught the first game and played right field in the second.
Conner Combs (East Texas Baptist University) reached base five times over the two games for the Power.
Leave a Reply