By KATIE FAULKNER
WELLSVILLE, N.Y. — The Olean Oilers beat the Wellsville Nitros, 8-4, on a chilly night in New York Collegiate Baseball League action on Wednesday. Wellsville has now dropped six straight to put them at 2-6 on the season.
The game remained scoreless until the top of the fifth when Brock Blovsky (Pitt Brad) advanced to first on a walk. Sam Kysor (Lock Haven) doubled, putting Blovsky into scoring position. Blovsky eventually came home on an error.
Despite a slow start offensively, Olean would go on to register eight hits, including three from Evan Ryan (St. John Fisher). After sending one over the fence during his last trip to Wellsville, Aaron Phillips (St. Bonaventure) recorded his second home run of the summer in the top of the ninth.
“It was my last at-bat of the night and I didn’t have a hit yet,” Phillips said on his home run. “I was just trying to stay back on the ball and hit it to right field.”
Billy Griffin (Washington) allowed four hits and four runs in five innings pitched for the Oilers. Nolan Hunt (Canisius) replaced him and give up three hits in the remaining four innings.
Wellsville rotated six different pitchers, including Nicolas Sampogna (Elmira), who gave up three hits and three runs through the first 5.1 innings.
“I think Nick came out and threw strikes and changed speeds well,” said coach Jason Cronin. “He worked around a couple leadoff runners early in the game and did a good job.”
The Nitros called on Joshua Limes (Cowley County CC), who was pulled after facing just one batter. Following Limes, Patrick Berthelette (Marymount) and Joe Funkhouser (Moraine Valley CC) combined to pitch 1.3 innings. Berthelette was credited with the loss.
“Our bullpen gave them a few free passes and walks,” said Cronin. “There were a couple critical mistakes that we made that led to runs, which opened the door up for [Olean] to expand the lead.”
Despite a few errors at bat and in the field, Cronin was in good spirits concerning his team’s improvement over the last few games.
“I felt we were close to controlling the outcome and dictating what happened,” said Cronin. “The guys are working hard and staying positive and I think we’ll turn the corner very soon.”
Carson Shrode (Tennessee Martin) paced the offense for Wellsville going 2-for-3 at the plate. He finished with a homerun and two RBI.
The Nitros will face the Hornell Dodgers (6-3) at home on Thursday, June 9th at 5:00 p.m.
Olean improved to 9-1 with the win. The 2015 NYCBL champions closed last regular season winning eight of 10. Including playoffs, the Oilers are 23-4.
Olean travels to Rochester to take on the Ridgemen, Thursday. A 7 p.m. first pitch is scheduled.
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