Jr. Chiefs’ rally proves too much for Red Wings

By NATE DISCAVAGE

GENEVA, N.Y. – Entering the fifth inning of Sunday’s matchup between the Syracuse Jr. Chiefs and Geneva Red Wings in New York College Baseball League action, the home team seemed well on their way to their 20th win of the season. Up 4-0 and only allowing two Jr. Chiefs hits, Geneva was hoping for a win to stay on par with the Oneonta Outlaws who improved to 20-17 earlier in the day.

That’s when everything started to fall apart.

Syracuse scored six straight en route to a 6-5 victory over Geneva in New York Collegiate Baseball League action at McDonough Park.

James Wynne (Dean College) hit a one-out single in the fifth to get the ball rolling for Syracuse. Samuel Ellinwood (Amherst College) and Michael Elfreth (Widener University) hit back-to-back doubles to cut the Red Wings’ lead in half. Elfreth scored later in the frame on an RBI-single by Alex Perry (Salve Regina University).

Still leading 4-3, Geneva starter Brandon Humbertson (Salisbury University) kept the Jr. Chief bats silent in the sixth before another outbreak in the seventh.

Following two errors to put runners at the corners with one out, Shane Trevino (University of Indiana-Purdue) hit the game-tying RBI-single. Three pitches later, Syracuse took the lead as Danny Walczak (Aurora University) reached on an error. Philip Madonna (Siena College) tacked on a vital insurance run with a sacrifice fly as the Jr. Chiefs took a 6-4 lead into the bottom of the seventh.

Geneva clawed their way closer as Mason Schoettlin (Lawson State Community College) singled, stole second base and later came around to score on a Harry Roberson (Amherst College) groundout.

Syracuse starter Cory Poplawski (Salve Regina University) pitched eight strong innings striking out nine without issuing a walk and allowing only two earned runs; however, it was closer Christopher Pennell (St. Thomas Aquinas College) who sealed the game for Syracuse.

Pannell earned his 12th save of the season, bringing him within one of John Colella’s (Elmira-2010) NYCBL record of 13 for the most saves in a single-season since 2006. Pannell only needed 11 pitches (eight strikes) to send down the final three Red Wings batters. He struck out two.

Humbertson suffered the loss as he allowed six runs on 11 hits in six and one-third innings. He walked one and struck out one.

Six batters had two hits for the Jr. Chiefs, but Elfreth stood out from the crowd with a double and two RBI. He also scored twice to help Syracuse retain a playoff spot.

Jackson Rhodes (Birmingham Southern College) went 1-for-3 with a solo home run for Geneva early in the ball game.

The Red Wings (19-18)  and Syracuse (22-19) meet again Monday night in Geneva.