By RAEGAN RYAN
HOUGHTON – The Genesee Rapids fought from behind to pull out an 8-6 win over non-divisional opponent Syracuse Jr. Chiefs in New York Collegiate Baseball League action Sunday afternoon.
The Chiefs scored in each of the first four innings making the score 5-2. The Rapids scored just one run in the fifth to narrow the gap to 5-3 heading into the sixth.
Syracuse held a 6-3 lead going into the bottom of the eighth.
The Rapids stepped up and Grant Myers (Monmouth) got things rolling with a single followed by a Jon Nola (Walsh) single and then Judah Wollenburg (Rio Grande) became a runner on first after being walked. Mark McKenna (Canisius) approached the plate and looked to continue his solid play offensively. He knocked in one run on a fielder’s choice and the Rapids started creeping in on the Chiefs 6-4.
On the next at-bat, McKenna and Allen Murphy (St. John Fisher) used their speed off a wild pitch to advance to second and score, respectively making it a 6-5 game. Dan Crozier (Cazenovia) walked, and Peter Bocchino (St. Michael’s) hit by a pitch to load the bases for Genesee. Philip Wells (Baldwin Wallace) struck a single to right field and plated McKenna to tie the game up at 6-6.
The Rapids defense took a stand in the top of the eighth. Christian Jorden (Jefferson CC) tossed from the hill and landed three outs on three batters.
The “Rapids Rally” continued in the bottom of the eighth. Myers again was the first to get on base when he was hit by a pitch, and teammate Joe Chapman (Cedarville) moved him over to second on a single to center. With one out, runners on first and second, a wild pitch advanced each runner one base, putting two Rapids in scoring position. Wollenburg at the plate had a battle in the box but struck out, creating a two-out situation with runners on second and third.
McKenna stepped to the plate calm, cool, and collected. By now, getting a hit is old hat for him. He drilled a two-run double to take the lead 8-6. The side retired on a strikeout for Genesee.
All the Rapids needed to do was hold onto their two-run lead. They called in their top gun, Breton LaRose (Sacred Heart). He took the mound with authority and struck out the first batter in four pitches. One out. Second batter up, and five pitches later, another LaRose strikeout. Two outs.
One out away from a rally victory to win to make it three wins in a row.
LaRose induced a ground ball for out number three. Finishing with an 8-6 spread.
Christian Jorden (Jefferson CC) worked a scoreless inning for the win. He struck out one.
LaRose earned his league-leading fifth save of the season.
Philip Wells (Baldwin Wallace) went 3-for-4 with one RBI. Other multiple hit performaces for the Rapids came from Jon Nola (Walsh), 2-for-3, Mark McKenna (Canisius) 2-for-4, and Judah Wollenburg (Rio Grande) 2-for-4.
The Rapids return to action Monday night against the Wellsville Nitros. First pitch is slated for 7:00pm.
Syracuse will host the Rome Generals for a 7 p.m. start on the Fourth of July.
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