By MIKE DeSANTO
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Junior Erich (Max) Werner (Seattle University) went 3-for-5 with two RBI, leading the Hornell Dodgers to a 9-4 win over the Rochester Ridgemen in New York Collegiate action Tuesday night at Basket Road Field.
Werner collected both RBI in the seventh inning, doubling to left field to score junior Jack Brett (Willamette University) and sophomore Chris Cerniglia (Nichols College). Brett had reached thanks to a fielder’s choice and Cerniglia walked, with both moving to second and third on a wild pitch.
“I’ve been really focusing on slowing the game down,” Werner said. “So, focusing on the pitch coming in and really on breath. Before I get in the box, I want to focus on slowing my breathing down so I am in control and then just letting the swing happen, not thinking about mechanics.”
The Dodgers also maintained a strong level of patience throughout the game, drawing 11 walks over the course of the game. Four of the 11 batters walked came around to score for the Dodgers.
The Ridgemen opened the offense in the first inning, scoring a run quickly. Sophomore Sean Rooney (Point Loma Nazarene University) singled to center to lead off the inning, reaching third on a pair of groundouts. Rooney then scored on a passed ball, putting the Ridgemen up 1-0.
The Dodgers tied the game in the top of the second, scoring a run of their own. Brett doubled to left field to start, advancing to third on a groundout to second. With Werner at the plate, a balk was called and Brett was sent to the plate, scoring the game-tying run.
But, the Ridgemen responded in the bottom half by putting up a pair of runs to retake the lead. Senior Ethan Luna (Southwestern University) singled to left and came around to score on a double for sophomore Andrew Bayard (Westmont College) to left. Bayard reached third on a groundout, setting up junior Dillon McTague (Colorado Christian University) for an RBI single to left field.
“I was just trying to stay hot. I’ve had a little bit of success lately, thankfully,” Bayard said. “It’s been a little bit of a rough season for me. I was just trying to hit the ball hard somewhere.”
The top of the third saw the Dodgers pick up another run, thanks in part to sophomore Michael Young (University of Massachusetts-Lowell). Young started the inning with a single to right field, stealing second and heading to third on a throwing error. Junior Connor Bailey (Willamette University) then grounded out to second base, allowing Young to score.
The Dodgers finally took the lead in the fifth inning, pushing two runs across. Sophomore Ethan Harrison (Trevecca Nazarene University) and Young drew back-to-back walks, with Harrison stealing second and third, and Young stealing second. Harrison scored on an error, moving Young to third and allowing him to score on a sacrifice fly out for Bailey.
The Ridgemen retied the game in the sixth when McTague walked and got to second on a single to right field from senior TJ Lanning (Trinity College). Rooney then walked to load the bases, bringing up senior Casey Claflin (Shawnee State University), smacking the ball into left field for a sacrifice fly out, scoring McTague.
Harrison walked to start the seventh and Young followed with getting hit by a pitch. This put two on for freshman Jared Kapturasky (Mercyhurst College), who double into right field to score both runners and later scored on a wild pitch. Werner’s double followed to end the day’s scoring.
The Ridgemen made an attempt to comeback late in the game, but fell short and the Dodgers secured the win.
Dodgers’ head coach CJ Baker said his team was clicking from the first pitch until the last.
“It was an awesome game for everybody. We had a really good offensive approach from the get go,” Baker said. “Our guys are in a really good place heading into the All-Star break.”
Ridgemen head coach Justin Dillard said going into the break, the offense is beginning to show life and the pitching staff is being to work.
“They’re swinging the bat well, so I like we’re on the upside of there,” Dillard said. “We got a lot of the pitchers in the game for our last home game of the season.”
The Ridgemen fell to 8-23 while the Dodgers improved to 25-9.
The Ridgemen will come out of the All-Star break and take on the Genesee Rapids on the road on Saturday at 7 p.m.
The Dodgers’ first game out of the All-Star break will be Friday against the Rome Generals in Rome at 6:35 p.m.
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