By RAEGAN RYAN
HOUGHTON, N.Y. – Jacob Sims (Roane St.) delivered the winning hit in the 13th inning, and the Wellsville Nitros picked up their second win in New York Collegiate Baseball League action Monday night with a 3-2 road game over the Genesee Rapids.
It had only been 48 hours since these two teams had previously met. The familiarity lended itself to two early runs for the Nitros in the bottom of the second making the score 2-0.
The Rapids would slowly make an answer in the fourth and fifth inning, chalking up their first run after a passed ball by the Nitros catcher, and bringing in the second run following a walk two tie the game 2-2.
The score stayed tied for the remainder of regulation calling for some bonus baseball. The game would continue to be even for three extra innings.
Finally in the top of the 13th inning, the Nitros tallied two of their eight hits from their two first at bats. Harry Montero Jr. (Bloomfield) was at the plate with a 2-2 count and nailed a triple to right field down the first base line. Motero’s momentum carried to their next batter, Sims who stepped up and put one over the centerfielder’s head for an RBI triple.
“We’d talked earlier in the game when he had an at bat with a runner in scoring position about trying to shorting his swing to hit something he could lift and drive and put the ball in the middle of the field in a gap and he did a great job of battling,” said Wellsville coach Jason Cronin. “He got down in the count and he kept battling, shortened his swing up, and lifted a hit and it carried right over his head to bring in the winning run.”
Sims’ hit made the score 3-2 heading into the bottom of the 13th inning, giving the Rapids a chance to rebuttal. However, it was a quick three outs from the heart of the lineup to finish the game.
“Our guys showed a bit of character tonight,” Cronin added. “It’s tough when you bring in 25 guys from different places trying to play together and be one together so I’m just happy that we came out here with a couple wins to start the season.”
The Nitros improve to 2-0 and will return to action Tuesday night against the Olean Oilers.
The Rapids fall to 0-2 and resume NYCBL action Wednesday night against the Olean Oilers
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