By ANTHONY SAMBROTTO
NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — The Niagara Power needed a win badly Friday night and were lucky enough to get quite a bit of help from their opponent.
The Power snapped an eight-game losing streak by beating the Genesee Rapids 7-0 in game one of a doubleheader before losing 4-3 in game two in New York Collegiate Baseball League action at Sal Maglie Stadium.
Coming into game one the Power hadn’t scored a run in 20 consecutive innings, but wasted no time getting on the board.
A throwing error allowed Caleb Lang (Cairn University) to score the Power’s first run in over three games and they never looked back from there.
With ace Brandon Mumaw (St. Leo University) on the mound for the Power, Genesee knew it couldn’t make many mistakes and still have a chance to win.
However, they committed a total of six errors, including three in the third inning which allowed the Power to increase its lead to 5-0.
The bottom of the fifth was the first time the Power scored runs without help, as all-star game MVP Conner Combs (East Texas Baptist University) hit an RBI-single and Nathan Stanley (Toccoa Falls College) hit an RBI-triple to finish the scoring at seven for Niagara.
Genesee’s starter, Brett St. Clair (Walsh University), finished with 4.1 innings pitched, giving up seven runs (two earned) on seven hits and two walks. St. Clair fell to 1-5 on the season with the loss.
Per usual, Mumaw did not disappoint, throwing another complete game and picking up his team-leading sixth win on the season. Mumaw sent seven Rapids away via strikeout, and only allowed three hits.
In game two, the offensive woes that have hampered the Power came roaring back.
Genesee starter Vincent Santasiero (Fontbonne University) took a no-hitter into the sixth inning before it was broken up by Mason Irby (Jones County CC). Already down 4-0 at that point, the Power did put up a valiant effort to get back into the game.
Gabe Sevigny (Olivet Nazarene University) plated two runs with a single, and Sevigny later came around to score on a wild pitch to make it 4-3.
Santasiero was able to prevent further damage and the Power rally came up short. He finished with six innings pitched, giving up three runs on three hits and four walks.
With the loss in game two, the Power fell to 1-9 in their last 10 games and currently sit third in the NYCBL’s Western Division.
The two teams meet Sunday for a rematch. First pitch at Houghton College is scheduled for 2 p.m.
Catcher Jonathan Nola (Walsh University) had two hits and two RBI in game two for Genesee.
Home-run derby champion Corey Andrade (Anna Maria College) reached base in all four at-bats for the Rapids in game two.
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