By ABBY SCHMIDT
HOUGHTON, N.Y. — The Niagara Power rolled through the Genesee Rapids, 17-0 Monday night at the Kerr-Pegula Athletic Complex behind pitcher Ryan Broaderick’s (LaGrange) two-hit shutout in New York Collegiate Baseball League action.
Broaderick went the distance for Niagara. He allowed no runs on two hits and eight strikeouts.
“Ryan pitched very well tonight,” said Power manger Josh Rebandt. “His changeup was working well and he really pounded the strike zone. He did what we asked of him, he was relaxed and his defense did the rest for him.”
“My changeup was on,” commented the Florida native. “My fastball was struggling in the early innings, but I found it and I had a great defense tonight.”
Niagara’s offense struck early and didn’t look back. The team scored at least one run in eight of the nine innings; with three in the first, second, third and seventh.
Many different Power members shone on the night. Paul Bretton Jr. (Florida Southern College) went 3-for-4 at the plate with one run, four RBI, a double and a triple. Caleb Lang (Cairn) and Nathan Stanley (Toccoa Falls) both went 2-for-4 with three RBI.
Gabe Sevigny (Olivet Nazarene) was 1-for-3 and tallied two runs and a double while Mason Irby (Jones County Junior) was 3-for-6 with two RBI.
John Conti (Canisius) tallied three runs and an RBI.
“It was so much easier for me; looking at the scoreboard and seeing 16 runs,” said Broaderick. “The offense did a great job today.”
On the other hand, Genesee couldn’t get anything going offensively.
Brandon Dupuis (Rochester) and Tommy Haas (Arkansas-Pinebluff) recorded the only two hits on the night.
“Our offense is still struggling,” said Rapids manager Tyler Rost. “It doesn’t matter if we give up 17 runs or one run, with two hits you’re still not going to be able to win a baseball game. We just have to be better.”
Despite giving up 17 runs, the Genesee defense did have some highlights.
One came in the top of the seventh when Karlis Graubics (Marymount) made an impressive diving catch in right field.
Bailey Smith (Howard Payne) tossed a scoreless eighth in relief for the Rapids. He allowed a run in the ninth.
Nick Watkins (Defiance) started on the mound and received the loss. Tyler Minogue (Bellarmine) and Will Lucas (Akron) also threw for Genesee.
This game was the second of the day for Niagara, who traveled to play the Olean Oilers earlier in the day and lost 4-3.
That didn’t seem to phase the Power too much.
“We had a tough loss at Olean earlier today,” said Rebandt. “But it seemed like our guys were still focused and ready. I told the guys they can look at this day as a blessing and an opportunity, or a dragging long day. We got our feet back under us and it showed in this game. This gives us a lot of confidence going into the end of the regular season and playoffs.”
The Power improve to 24-18 with the win.
Genesee falls to 17-23 with the loss and will face the Rochester Ridgemen Tuesday night at the Kerr-Pegula Athletic Complex at 7 p.m.
“At this point, we just have to try to get better every day,” said Rost. “I told them not to worry so much about the result on the scoreboard, worry about getting better as a player personally.”
Written by Abby Schmidt, junior year business and communications major at Houghton College
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