By ANTHONY SCOTT
SYRACUSE, N.Y. –Sean Trenholm (Binghamton) launched a double into center field as the Syracuse sky was being lit by colorful fireworks. The Trenholm double scored a second insurance as the Rome Generals shut out the Syracuse Junior Chiefs 3-0 in New York Collegiate Baseball League action, Monday night.
Although Trenholm had a solid day at the plate going two-for-five with an RBI and a run scored, he was not the MVP for the Generals. That belonged to Tim Curtis (Union Col).
The Manhassat, New York native was spectacular in his first start of the season. Curtis hurled eight innings only allowing three hits while striking out three on the way to his first victory of the season.
“I was a starter in school ball, so I’ve been waiting to get out here and start a game.” Curtis said, “My command has been a little shaky, so for me to be consistent with throwing strikes and getting outs from contact was huge.” Curtis did not allow any walks to the twenty-six Junior Chief hitters he faced.
“He may have earned a spot in the rotation after that performance.” Rome Head coach Craig Farley said, “He’s been doing really well out of the bullpen, we knew if we needed a spot start he was our guy.”
According to coach Farley “Nick Porretto (Wisc. Oshkosh) was supposed to start today, but he was having problems with his back.”
Curtis thought he was going to get some run support from his General teammates in the second inning. Coby Smith (Dean Col) got aboard with a leadoff single and then came around to home on an overthrow to first by the Junior Chief third baseman, to score what semmed to be the games first run. However, Syracuse starter, Patrick Merryweather (Col of Charleston), stepped off the mound and threw the ball to third base before the next at bat, and got Smith out for not touching third when he was rounding the bases. Merryweather was not phased by the odd play at third and proceeded to strike out the next two hitters to escape the inning, and keep the game tied at zero.
“(Junior Chief utility man) Zach Smith picked it up from the dugout and, the catcher,” Merryweather explained. “Joe DeLuca told me step off and throw it over to third.”
The Rome Generals were able to get on the scoreboard for real in the fourth inning. Left fielder Randy Torres (Keystone) blasted a RBI ground double that gave the Generals a 1-0 lead.
“Their starter was doing a good job keeping people off balance with the curveball.” Torres said, “I was just trying to look for a fastball and drive him in.”
Syracuse’s best opportunity to score against Curtis came in the sixth inning. Asher MacDonald (Bates Col) was on third after he hit a deep triple and the Junior Chief leadoff hitter was up next with two outs. Curtis was able to get ahead quickly 0-2 and then got the batter to ground out to first base.
Merryweather was doing a great job of his own keeping his home team in the game as he only allowed one run until the eighth inning. In the eighth, the senior found himself in a bit of trouble after a couple of weakly hit infield singles. Rome had runners on the corners with only one out. Smith made up for his baserunning error in the second inning, and ripped a single back up the middle to give the Generals a 2-0 lead.
Merryweather then limited the damage behind an unbelievable play by Webb Little (Ithaca) to end the inning. A ball was ripped down to third and W. Little dove to his left then launched a strong through from the seat of his pants, to get the runner out and limit the damage.
“I figured out if I just rolled all the way over and just chucked it to first something would happen,” Little said. “And it did.”
The Generals however, would add another run in the ninth, before Maurizio DeVita (St. Thomas Aquinas) came in for the save and give the Generals a 3-0 victory.
“This is the fourth or fifth really quality start from our starting pitching,” Coach Farley said, “Some guys have gotten out of their funk, and we’ve been having starting pitching we can count on,” is what Farley thinks has been the key to his team’s recent hot streak. The Rome Generals have now won six of their last eight games.
“He pitched a gem of a game.” Antonio said, “It’s just one of those things in baseball, we hit the ball well, just right at everybody.”
Syracuse will look to get off the three game losing streak on Tuesday as they travel to take on the Cortland Crush. First pitch is set for 6:00 P.M from Beaudry Park.
Rome also has the Cortland Crush next up on their schedule, but they get a day off in between and won’t be back in action until Wednesday. That game is set for 3:00 P.M from Cortland.
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