By RYAN McDONOUGH
OLEAN, N.Y. – The Olean Oilers and Genesee Rapids split a double-header of two seven-inning games at Bradner Stadium on July 25 to conclude their New York Collegiate Baseball League regular seasons. Genesee came out on top in game one on a score of 4-2, and Olean won game two, 4-0.
Down 2-0 going into the top of the seventh of game one, the Rapids scored all four of their runs to take the lead. Tyler Minogue (Bellarmine) got things started with a bases-loaded RBI single, and Jonathan Nola (Walsh) tied it up with an RBI single of his own. Then, Austin Hauck (Siena Heights) delivered the big blow on a two-run double to bring the score to its eventual resting place of 4-2.
The Oilers used six pitchers in game one. The first four pitchers got Olean through the first six innings, allowing just two hits and four walks while striking out three. Genesee did their damage against everyday catcher Mike Fahrman (Florida), who made his first pitching appearance of the season.
Jason Collingwood (Greenville) tossed scoreless sixth and seventh innings for Genesee and earned the win.
Olean earned an early lead in game two as Jon Lapolla (Sufflok) cashed in Evan Ryan (Erie CC) on an RBI single in the bottom of the first inning.
Olean scored their final three runs in the third inning as Lapolla came through once again, this time with an RBI double, and later scored on a bases-loaded walk. Edwin Edwards III (Buffalo) came around to score on an error by the Rapids to give Olean their 4-0 lead.
Olean got four, but one served to be plenty. Olean once again went starter by committee on the mound, and they got in done in game two. Four pitchers threw a combined one-hitter and walked just one batter. The Rapids did not earn their first hit until the fifth inning, and that hit in the fifth served as the first Genesee base runner since a first-inning walk.
Kaden Darrow (Marymount) started the game and earned the win.
Olean clinched a playoff birth on Friday, July 24 with a win against Hornell. The Oilers will play game one of their playoff series against the Geneva Twins on Sunday, July 26 in Geneva at McDonough Park.
Today’s double-header concluded Genesee’s NYCBL season. The Rapids finished with a record of 21-25. Among many things, one of Genesee’s season highlights was infielder Nick Ippolito’s (Cal State Stanislaus) NYCBL record-breaking 28-game hitting streak.
Along with Fahrman, everyday shortstop Cole Peterson (St. Bonaventure) made his pitching debut in game one. Peterson threw a scoreless sixth inning and struck out one batter.
Edward Monthie (Houghton) started game one for Genesee. He threw five innings and struck out four.
Twelve members of the Rapids recorded at bats in game one and 10 in game two.
Aaron Phillips (St. Bonaventure) went 2-for-4 in game one for Olean.
Despite losing game one, Olean outhit Genesee 7-5.
Fahrman went 3-for-3 with a run scored and a walk for Olean.
Brock Blovsky (Pittsburgh Bradford) went 1-for-1 with an RBI and two walks for Olean in game two.
Olean finished the regular with a franchise-record 26 wins.
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