By PAUL GOTHAM
BRIGHTON, N.Y. — Parker Holden (Webster, N.Y./Webster Schroeder) didn’t expect to pitch on Saturday.
After throwing three-plus innings in relief on Tuesday then another three-plus in a starting role on Thursday, Holden figured he would be watching as his Monroe Community College teammates faced Finger Lakes CC in the Tribunes’ regular season finale.
Those plans changed a couple hours before the doubleheader was scheduled to start.
And the sophomore right-hander made the most of the situation.
Holden hurled a season-high six innings, and MCC (32-8) recovered from an unsightly showing in Game 1 to take Saturday’s nightcap, 10-1.
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“Thank God for Holden,” said MCC head coach Dave Brust. “He pitched ahead and spotted his breaking stuff. That was it. He was aggressive early in the count.”
Holden struck out seven while scattering five hits and two walks.
“He was able to get strike one on a lot of batters,” Brust said. “That helped set up his breaking stuff.”
Holden left a runner on base in each of the first and second innings before surrendering a run on a two-out single in third. He stranded another runner in the fourth before retiring the side in order in the fifth.
“I wasn’t really thinking about anything, to be honest,” Holden said. “I just kept going out there and staying with the plan.”
A six-run third inning that started after the first two batters were retired gave Holden all the runs he needed.
Thomas Woodridge (Fayetteville, N.Y./Fayetteville-Manlius) and Michael Sardou (Rochester, N.Y./Churchville-Chili) sparked the rally with back-to-back singles.
Aaron Reina (Rochester, N.Y./Churchville-Chili) brought home the first run of the inning with a base hit. Jack Duggan (Georgetown, ON/Georgetown District) reached on an infield single, and Sardou took advantage of an error to come with the go-ahead run.
Braedon Reina (Rochester, N.Y./Churchville-Chili) delivered a two-run double. Miguel Matos (Rochester,N.Y./East High) singled and eventually scored on an error to cap the inning.
Matos plated run in the fourth when MCC scored three more and drove in another in the sixth with an RBI groundout.
Woodridge finished 3-for-3 in Game 2 and scored twice. Sardou was 3-4 with a double and two runs scored. Braedon Reina was 2-4 with two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored.
Matos had two hits, drove in three and scored once. Aaron Reina singled, walked, had an RBI and crossed home twice. Duggan was 1-3 with two RBI and a run scored.
Jadon Wanat (Amherst, N.Y./Williamsville North) singled and drove in a run.
Ben Buxton (Marysville, ON/ St. Theresa Catholic) drew a pair of base on balls.
Jaden Sherwood (Batavia, N.Y./Notre Dame-Batavia) worked a scoreless seventh inning. The right-hander retired all three batters he faced, two on strikes.
Holden’s performance in the nightcap came after four MCC pitchers combined to issue a season-high 12 walks and allow a season-high runs in a 13-4 loss.
Aaron Reina went 2-3 with a two-run home run and two runs scored. Aidan Gallagher (Hopewell Junction, N.Y./John Jay- East Fishkill) doubled and crossed home. Woodridge walked twice and came home once.
Duggan was 2-3. Braedon Reina singled and brought home a run with a sacrifice fly. Tanner Holmes (Allenford, ON/Owen Sound District) was 1-3.
Nate Brinza (Canandaigua, N.Y./Canandaigua Academy) went 2-2 with a solo home run and an RBI single in an eight-run FLCC (27-19) fourth inning. Ty Joy (Warsaw, N.Y./Warsaw HS) was 3-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Markus Brehm (Wayland, N.Y./Wayland-Cohocton) drew three walks and scored three times. Nathan Power (Victor, N.Y./Victor HS) allowed two runs on two hits and two walks over four innings to pick up the win.
MCC will take the field next weekend against UConn-Avery Point in the NJCAA Division II sub-districts. The best 2-of-3 series will begin Friday on Roger Bidwell Field at Washington Park in Groton, CT.
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