By ANTHONY SAMBROTTO
WELLSVILLE, N.Y. — Even with their ace in trouble, the Niagara Power still found a way to win.
The Power beat the Wellsville Nitros for the sixth time this season, 9-6, Sunday afternoon in New York Collegiate Baseball League action at Wellsville Central.
In a game that featured 27 hits, the Nitros were able to hold one of the NYCBL’s best offenses scoreless through the first three innings while building a lead against Power starter Brandon Mumaw (St. Leo University).
In the fourth the Power were finally able to get on the scoreboard, taking advantage of defensive mistakes to tie the game at 2. In the top of the sixth, Niagara was able to start hitting the ball.
An RBI double by Paul Bretton (Florida Southern College) put the Power ahead, and two batters later, designated hitter A.J. Bruner (Trinity International University) came through with a 2-RBI single to put the Power ahead 5-2.
That would be all for Wellsville starter Robert Lock (Concordia University) who went five innings, giving up nine hits and five runs (three earned).
The insurance runs for the Power proved to be necessary as the Nitros got to Mumaw again in the bottom of the sixth. Dylan Rajkovich (Webster University) drove in two runs to make it 5-4.
In the top of the eighth the Power got the two runs back on one swing of the bat. Caleb Lang (Cairn University) hit his second home run of the year to put the Power ahead 7-4. Lang has 19 RBI on the season.
The teams traded runs in the eighth and ninth innings and with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth the Nitros had a chance to pull off a thrilling win. However closer Nick Campe (Olivet Nazarene University) came in to shut the door and Wellsville was only able to muster one run in the ninth.
With the save Campe now has 10 on the year.
Mumaw went seven innings allowing four runs, eight hits and striking out six Wellsville batters. The four runs were the most Mumaw has allowed all year.
Mason Irby (Jones Count Junior College) had three hits to increase his batting average to .363, which is tied for best in the NYCBL.
With Sunday’s win, the Power now have the best record in the NYCBL, and hold a 1.5 game lead over the Hornell Dodgers in the NYCBL’s Western Division.
The Nitros travel to Geneva tomorrow to take on the Twins at 7 p.m. The Power have the day off tomorrow before returning home for the first time in 10 days to take on the Rochester Ridgemen at 7 p.m. on Tuesday night.
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