by TYLER HATHAWAY
WALWORTH, N.Y– Will Schneemann struck out 11 batters over six one-hit innings, and Gananda (3-2) rode a three-run first inning to a 7-0 win over Wayne County rival Williamson on Monday afternoon.
The junior only allowed three runners to reach base while on the bump and retired 11 straight batters through the middle innings to guide the Panthers.
“(Schneemann) really was in control the whole game,” said Gananda head coach Bill McClare. “He’s been that way in the three games he’s pitched already. He’s very composed when he’s on the mound. He’s a competitor, and just goes right after guys.”
The southpaw has only given up two earned runs across 19.2 innings this season while tallying 26 strikeouts.
“It was a struggle last year throwing strikes,” said Schneemann. “I really worked on that in the offseason. Having command on the mound is huge, and being able to incorporate my offspeeds definitely helps too.”
After Mason Mangers placed an RBI single in the first inning, Schneemann smacked a triple into the left center field gap that scored two more runs to give Gananda the early advantage.
“That was huge for our confidence,” McClare said of the fast start. “It lets everybody sort of relax, and then you can be more aggressive in the box, and you feel more confident with what we’re doing as a team.”
“We piggyback off each other, one guy gets hit, the other one goes, and we just keep rolling, and that’s what we have to do all year,” said Schneemann. “The games we’ve dropped, we never got anything rolling, so it was really important that we start off strong.”
Gananda plated three more runners in the fifth inning and a sacrifice fly by Maddox Stoughton scored the final run in the sixth. It’s a bounce back win for a Panthers squad that fell 3-2 against Bloomfield/Honeoye on Friday.
“It was big coming out and doing what we did, putting up seven runs after scoring only two in the last game,” McClare explained. “Just to get that monkey off our back, knowing that we can score some runs and put the ball in play, and string things together.”
Monday was the first of four games in a seven-day stretch for Gananda.
“We just have to keep coming to practice and practicing like it’s a game, and not letdown,” said McClare. “Keeping the momentum going, and just playing good sound baseball, and wins will come.”
Schneeman finished with two hits, three RBI, and a walk. Henry Shutts placed a base hit, crossed home plate, got on base once via a walk, and struck out two batters in the seventh inning in relief. Stoughton and Owen Switzer each singled and scored. Mangers scored twice. Nate Beachel had a run. Jack Wilson scored a runner, and Brayden Nodar got on base once via a walk.
For Williamson (1-2), David DeFisher struck out six batters over four and two third innings as the starter and singled. Spencer Blauvelt placed a double. Charlie Bobowski and Blauvelt each tossed two thirds of an inning in relief, with Bobowski picking up a strikeout. Caiden Watson and Mikey Ishler each drew a walk.
Gananda hits the road to face Lyons on Wednesday.
“We’re gonna ride off this win for sure,” said Schneemann. “Take the momentum into Wednesday, and then Saturday, and just keep it going.”
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