By MIKE DeSANTO
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Freshman Gunner Becker (Niagara County Community College) pitched eight scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out seven batters to lead the Olean Oilers to a 3-0 win over the Rochester Ridgemen in New York Collegiate Baseball League action at Basket Road Field Monday night.
“My approach is always the same: go in there and throw strikes,” Becker said. “Going out there in the bullpen and really making sure I’m ready, making sure I’m throwing a bunch of strikes before I go out there.”
Oilers head coach Jay Weitzel said the pitching performance showed Becker should be a strong arm going forward for the team.
“He kept donuts up there after donuts,” Weitzel said. “He’s an exceptional kid. He battles every time.”
The Ridgemen countered by sending senior Jordan Brown (Baker University) to the bump for the start. Brown threw six innings, giving up two runs on seven hits and two walks with three strikeouts.
“I was able to spot up my fastball, changeup, got a few strikeouts off that back door on some guys,” Brown said. “But, [I] really couldn’t throw my knuckle-curve for strikes, which really limits me on the mound.”
The Oilers’ offense got started in the top of the first inning, scoring the first run of the game quickly.
Junior Mike Magnanti (Finger Lakes Community College/Greece Athena) reached base with a single, advancing to third on a stolen base and the ensuing throw, which sailed wide of second base. This set up sophomore Allen Murphy (St. John Fisher College) to single home the runner, putting the Oilers up 1-0.
“Honestly, I just caught it off the end of my stick and out. I just stayed on it long enough to send it to left field,” Murphy said. “I stay aggressive [and] go early if it’s there.”
The Oilers added two additional runs later in the game, with one in the sixth inning and one in the eighth.
In the sixth, senior Chris Wastchak (California University of Pennsylvania) singled to get on, stealing second and third thanks to a wild pitch. This put Wastchak in position to score on a passed ball.
In the eighth, Murphy reached via a single and Wastchak wasted little time bringing him home, doubling to plate Murphy for the final run of the game.
Senior Kaden Darrow (Marymount University) and sophomore Nate Mascellino (Niagara University) held the Ridgemen scoreless in the ninth inning, locking down the win for the Oilers.
Ridgemen head coach Justin Dillard said there were some positives to take away from the loss, including the festivities for Military Appreciation Night.
“First, it was just a whole lot of fun to have the members of VFW out here tonight. We were just honored that they graced us with their presence,” Dillard said. “We’ll take out pitching and string them all together where we’re not making mistakes, and not giving away free stuff, and competing with the bat in our hands.”
The Oilers improved to 5-9, while the Ridgemen fell to 3-9.
The Ridgemen will next play Tuesday at Basket Road Field against the Genesee Rapids at 7 p.m.
The Oilers next game is also on Tuesday at 7 p.m. as they host the Cortland.
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