Geneva Red Wings News & Notes

The Hornell Dodger bats could not be stopped two nights in a row, as they defeated the Red Wings 15-4 on Saturday night at McDonough Park.

Casey Rana (UT-Permian Basin) threw perfect through the first three innings, but Wings pitching ran into problems from that point on.

The Wings jumped out to an early 3-0 lead on Dodger starter Erik Lambe. In the first, left fielder Jeff Cola (University of Toledo) and third baseman Will Harford (University of Notre Dame) hit consecutive singles. Then two batters later, first baseman Dan Pembroke (Dowling College) got an RBI base hit to score Cola.

Harford got another base hit in the third, before right fielder Jack Wortley (UT-Permian Basin) got the Wings first postseason home run.

Wortley’s homer gave the Wings a 3-0 lead that did not last for long.

Hornell’s one and two hitters, shortstop Jonathan Keppler and first baseman Jeff Lockwood, reached base in the fourth and fifth innings before scoring. Catcher Adam Schlessel brought them home the first time with an RBI double.

In the fifth, Keppler and Lockwood scored on a hit by pitch and fielder’s choice.

Pembroke cut the deficit to 10-4 in the bottom of the eighth, by crushing a homer over the scoreboard in right field. It made little difference though, as the Dodgers scored five times in the ninth.

Lockwood and left fielder Trey Bennett hit back-to-back homers, three RBI and solo, respectively.

With the win, Hornell advanced into the NYCBL West Division Championship series to play the Alfred Oilers. Alfred swept Brockport in their first round matchup.

The Hornell Dodgers took game one of the NYCBL West Division Playoffs 1-0 with a bases loaded walk in the tenth.

Jared Fisher (Quincy University) and Hornell Dodgers starter Jordan Backes both threw complete game shutouts, but got no decisions.

Hornell became the first team to shut out the Wings this season. Backes got a game high 11 strikeouts and gave up only three hits.

Fisher matched his college teammate throughout, getting solid defensive plays when necessary.

Centerfielder Mike Blanchard (Austin-Peay University) made a terrific catch in the sixth and doubled up designated hitter Craig Shaefer at second base. Shaefer ran on contact, rather than waiting to see if Blanchard would make the play.

Will Hebard (Villanova University) replaced Fisher for the tenth, but did not record an out.

Hornell right fielder Andrew Jesse hit a leadoff single, and then second baseman Thomas Zurliene reached base on a throwing error by first baseman Dan Pembroke (Dowling College).

Pembroke fielded the grounder in the infield grass, but his off balanced throw to second baseman Gordy LaHann (UT-Permian Basin), who covered first, bounced past him into foul territory.

The Wings opted to intentionally walk the bases loaded and bring in closer Ryan Kassab (Long Island University).

Kassab got first baseman Jeff Lockwood to ground into a 6-2 fielder’s choice, getting the lead runner at home. However, Kassab walked the next batter to bring in Zurliene for the winning run.

The Wings look to even the series in game two tonight at McDonough Park at 7:30 p.m. It is a must win game, as the NYCBL Playoffs are best two out of three.

Lefty Casey Rana (UT-Permian Basin) is the probable starter.

Despite a 9-2 loss to the Niagara Falls Power, the Geneva Red Wings are in the West Division Playoffs as the four seed.

Webster needed one win to eliminate the Wings, but the Yankees fell flat, losing four games in the last two days of the season.

The Power scored all of the their runs in the first three innings against Wings starter Kyle Shaw (University of Toledo). Catcher Angelo Crisostomo and designated hitter Steve Cammuso hit back-to-back RBI singles in the first to give them a 2-0 lead.

Geneva got one run in the bottom of the inning on an RBI single by designated hitter Jack Wortley(UT-Permian Basin), but left the bases loaded. The Wings stranded nine runners on base overall.

Niagara went ahead 5-1 in the second. Shortstop Brian Goodwin hit a leadoff home run, and then with two outs right fielder Travis Latz crushed a two RBI homer into dead centerfield.

Latz went 2-for-4 with four RBI’s, three runs, a walk and a hit by pitch.

Power starting pitcher Matt Schimpf gave up consecutive walks to centerfielder Mike Blanchard (Austin-Peay University) and second baseman Gordy LaHann (UT-Permian Basin) to begin the bottom of the second. However, the Wings only got one run across on an RBI ground out by right fielder Jeff Cola (University of Toledo).

Shaw got knocked out of the game with two outs in the third after giving up four more runs. He walked the bases loaded that inning, and got behind on the count to five batters.

Reliever Dave Christoffersen (Stetson University) walked the bases loaded again before getting the final out. But by then the Power led by the final score 9-2.

Christoffersen went on to pitch four shutout innings. Peter Brzezicki (University of Charleston) and Lucas Anderson (Austin-Peay University) also pitched a scoreless inning each.

For Niagara, Schimpf lasted six innings with three strikeouts.

The Wings begin the playoffs tonight at 7 p.m. at top seeded Hornell. Geneva ended the regular season with a 21-20-1 record, while Hornell went 30-12.

Jared Fisher (Quincy University) will start game one.

Catcher Ryan Waldhart (Oakland University) stole home in the eighth to give the Red Wings a 3-2 victory over the Brockport Riverbats tonight at McDonough Park.

Ryan Anderson (Saint Petersburg College) started and got a no decision. Lucas Anderson (Austin-Peay University) got the win and Ryan Kassab (Long Island University) left the bases loaded to get the save in the ninth.

The Wings took a 2-0 lead in the second, thanks in part to a pair of errors by Riverbat second baseman Kevin Johnson. Every run was unearned, as Brockport committed six errors and the Wings had two.

First baseman Dan Pembroke (Dowling College) led off the inning with a base hit and then advanced to second on shortstop Jon Clinard’s (Austin-Peay University) one out walk. Clinard’s teammate at Austin-Peay, centerfielder Mike Blanchard laid down a bunt single to the left side to load the bases.

Second baseman Gordy LaHann (UT-Permian Basin) hit a grounder that got under Johnson’s glove, scoring Pembroke. Clinard scored on the next at-bat when left fielder Brendan McCrea (College of the Holy Cross) reached first on another Johnson error.

Brockport tied the game at two in the top of the third on a fielder’s choice and a balk.

With the bases loaded, third baseman Marcus Way hit an RBI 4-6 ground out. He reached first without a throw, and Johnson scored after drawing a lead off walk. Then with right fielder Ryan Nokelby at the plate and runners at the corners, Ryan Anderson balked. Centerfielder Khyle Dimino scored and Way advanced to second.

Nokelby ended the inning with a 5-3 ground out.

Ryan Anderson pitched consecutive 1-2-3 innings in the fourth and fifth. In the sixth, the Wings turned a 4-6-3 double play to get him out of a one on, nobody out situation. It was the first of two double plays turned by the Wings.

In the bottom of the eighth, Waldhart reached second on a throwing error by Way. Third baseman Will Harford (University of Notre Dame) subsequently grounded out 4-3, but it advanced Waldhart to third.

On an 0-1 count to designated hitter Jack Wortley (UT-Permian Basin), Waldhart got a big lead off of third and boltd for home. The pitch to Wortley was outside and in the dirt, making it impossible for Riverbat catcher Josh Bishop to make a tag. Waldhart slid in, getting his hands underneath Bishop’s padding for the go-ahead run.

Wortley popped out to Bishop, but the Wings had the 3-2 lead and Kassab coming in for the save.

Kassab’s save did not come easy though. Way started the ninth with a base hit, and then with Way at second, designated hitter David Chiocchi hit a single to put runners on the corners with only one out.

Kassab struck out the next batter, but then walked Bishop to load the bases. Johnson, who was 0-2 with a run scored, grounded out to Harford to end the game.

With loses for both Webster and Alfred last night, the Red Wings are now in third place in the NYCBL West Division. Tonight the Wings finish the regular season against Niagara at 7:30 p.m at McDonough Park.

If the Wings win, they clinch a playoff spot. Although the suspended game against Allegany County was originally scheduled for today, it will instead end in a 2-2 tie, putting the Wings record at 21-19-1.

The Geneva Red Wings had their 10 game home win streak snapped by the Alfred Oilers tonight.

Highlighted by a three run homer for Oiler second baseman Dan Breazeale, Alfred defeated the Wings 8-2 at McDonough Park.

The Oilers wasted no time, taking a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Wings starter Casey Rana (UT-Permian Basin) gave up a lead off walk to centerfielder Nate Hillery, who subsequently stole second. Then designated hitter Mike Vanaman scored Hillery with an RBI single.

With runners in scoring position and two outs, left fielder Tyler Wrinkle hit a two RBI double.

In the bottom of the inning, right fielder Jack Wortley (UT-Permian Basin) hit an RBI single to score left fielder Jeff Cola (University of Toledo). Oilers starter Brian Poland shut the Wings out through the next four innings, though.

The Wings got the lead off man to third base in both the third and fourth innings, but could not drive them home. In the fifth, Poland had his only 1-2-3 inning.

Rana faced more problems in the top of the fifth. Vanaman drew a one out walk and then third baseman Michael Mosby got hit by a pitch. A ground out advanced the runners into scoring position for Breazeale.

It made no difference where the runners were for Breazeale though, as he hit a three run homer into left field to put Alfred ahead 6-1.

Third baseman Will Harford (University of Notre Dame) scored from third in the sixth when Wortley stole second and the throw went over the shortstop’s head.

Even though Breazeale made the catch behind the base before it went into the outfield, it allowed Harford to make it a 6-2 game. However, the Wings didn’t get any closer.

After silencing the Oiler bats in the eighth, relief pitcher Peter Brzezicki (University of Charleston) gave up two runs in the ninth. Prior to last night’s appearance, Brzezicki hadn’t allowed a run in 4.2 innings pitched.

The Wings are now 19-19 and in fifth place, while Alfred improves to 21-19. Tonight the Wings play at Elmira at 7:30 p.m. in a must win situation.

Thunderstorms suspended last night’s Red Wings game against the Allegany County Nitros. Tied at two in the top of the seventh, the game will resume if its outcome effects the playoff seeding.

If not, the game will end in a tie.

Tonight the Red Wings host the Alfred Oilers at 7:30 p.m.

The Geneva Red Wings followed up a 12-5 manhandling of last place Niagara with a huge 7-3 win over the Brockport Riverbats yesterday evening at Ed Nietopski Field.

The win snapped the Wings five game road losing streak and tied them for fifth place in the West Division at 17-18, only one game behind the Webster Yankees for the fourth and final playoff spot.

Brockport took a 3-0 lead in the second inning, but the Wings made a comeback and surged ahead late. Ryan Anderson (St. Petersburg College) got the start and the win for the Wings, pitching five innings and getting four strikeouts.

In the second, Brockport led off with back-to-back singles and then a walk to load the bases with no outs. Two batters later, second baseman Andrew Femath hit an RBI single, and designated hitter Richie Tri followed with a two RBI single to give the Riverbats the 3-0 advantage. The Wings wasted no time answering back, though.

Geneva tied the game in the next half inning. Centerfielder Mike Blanchard (Austin-Peay University) and shortstop Jon Clinard (Austin-Peay University) hit consecutive singles and advanced into scoring position on second baseman Gordy LaHann’s (UT-Permian Basin) sacrifice bunt down the first base line.

With two outs, catcher Ryan Waldhart (Oakland University) hit a two RBI double to dead centerfield. He came around to score on third baseman Will Harford’s (University of Notre Dame) RBI single.

Tied at three going into the fifth, the Wings took a lead they never relinquished.

Waldhart and Harford hit consecutive doubles, giving Harford his second RBI of the day. Then designated hitter Jack Wortley hit an RBI single into left field. Unfortunately for the Wings, Wortley was thrown out trying for a double, but they did have a 5-3 lead.

Reliever Lucas Anderson (Austin-Peay University) pitched scoreless sixth, seventh and eighth innings. He struck out two Riverbats and the Wings infield turned a spectacular 5-4-3 double play to end the sixth.

The Wings scored again in the eighth when LaHann reached first on a fielder’s choice, scoring first baseman Dan Pembroke (Dowling College). Pembroke led off the inning with a base hit.

In the ninth, Waldhart got his third hit and went on to score on a base hit by designated hitter Phil Rosenblum (Wesleyan University) to put the Wings up 7-3. Rosenblum replaced Wortley, who went 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Waldhart finished the game at 3-for-5 with two RBI’s and three runs scored. Closer Ryan Kassab (Long Island University) pitched a 1-2-3 ninth.

This afternoon the Wings play a doubleheader against the Niagara Falls Power at McDonough Park. The first game is at 5 p.m.

Elmira Pioneers starter Corey Pappel surrendered six runs in three innings to the Geneva Red Wings, as the they cruised to an 9-4 victory last night at McDonough Park.

Pappel, Elmira’s top pitcher, also walked eight Red Wings in his short outing. His problems began right from the start when centerfielder Brendan McCrea (College of the Holy Cross) drew a lead off walk. Left fielder Jeff Cola (University of Toledo) followed with a double to put runners in scoring position with no outs.

Third baseman Will Harford (University of Notre Dame) and designated hitter Jack Wortley (UT-Permian Basin) drove in McCrea and Cola with an RBI ground out and an RBI single, respectively to take a 2-0 lead.

The Wings doubled their lead the next inning. Right fielder Mike Blanchard (Austin-Peay University) drew a one out walk and scored on an RBI single by Cola. A walk to Harford loaded the bases. Two batters later first baseman Dan Pembroke (Dowling College) got a four pitch walk to score McCrea who also walked earlier in the inning.

McCrea walked in his first three at-bats.

Cola went 3-for-3 against Pappel with an RBI double in the third, scoring Blanchard for the second time.

Wings starter Casey Rana (UT-Permian Basin) entered the fourth with a comfortable 5-0 lead, but the Pioneers cut their deficit to one by tacking on four runs of their own.

Rana gave up back-to-back walks to begin the inning. A bloop single by Pioneer right fielder Mike Torello resulted in an out at second base when left fielder Ryan Ferguson went back to first in anticipation of a fly ball out. Instead, the Wings got Ferguson out on the force play.

A walk to first baseman Ken Wright loaded the bases, and brought up third baseman Michael Hartz who crushed a three RBI double into deep right-centerfield. Centerfielder Dan Mauriello followed with another RBI double to make it 5-4 Wings.

After a rough inning, Rana went on to pitch scoreless fifth and sixth innings and get the win. He struck out five Pioneers, including three of the last four he faced.

Elmira reliever Brian Loconsole held the Wings at bay in the fourth and fifth, but allowed two runs in the bottom of the sixth.

With Cola at second and Harford at first, Pembroke hit an RBI single up the middle, scoring Cola. Harford made it all the way to third when Mauriello committed an error when trying to pick the ball up.

Harford then scored on an RBI sacrifice fly by second baseman Ryan Waldhart.

The Wings scored another pair of runs in the eighth off of Alek Brown to give added insurance to closer Ryan Kassab (Long Island University). Kassab allowed two base runners in the ninth, but benefitted from a double play and then got second baseman J.J. Edwards to fly out for the last out.

NOTES: Rana, second baseman Gordy LaHann (UT-Permian Basin) and shortstop Jon Clinard (Austin-Peay University) all got ejected. LaHann and Clinard must sit out tonight’s game against Niagara Falls. Reliever Will Hebard (Villanova University) pitched the seventh and eighth innings, getting three strikeouts.

The Geneva Red Wings crushed the Allegany County Nitros 8-1 on Sunday afternoon, but then left six men on base in a 5-1 loss at Webster yesterday.

Splitting the two games keeps the Wings in seventh place at 14-18. They are 1.5 games out of the playoffs (top four teams in each division qualify).

Against the Nitros, the Wings jumped on their starter Trevor Conner early with four runs in the second. Conner entered the game as the Allegany County’s top pitcher.

Right fielder Jack Wortley (UT-Permian Basin) drew a leadoff walk that inning and then got all the way to third on a hit and run perfectly executed by first baseman Dan Pembroke (Dowling College). With runners at the corners, catcher Eddie Bleiler (College of the Holy Cross) hit an RBI single, scoring Wortley.

Two batters later, designated hitter Phil Rosenblum (Wesleyan University) hit the first pitch he saw for a bases loaded RBI single.

Centerfielder Mike Blanchard (Austin-Peay University) and left fielder Jeff Cola (University of Toledo) followed with an RBI sacrifice fly and RBI ground out, respectively.

Wings starter Kyle Shaw (University of Toledo) did not give up a hit until the top of the fourth to catcher Gary Valedez, but he was thrown out upon trying to turn it into a double. Shaw pitched seven innings, giving up just one run and striking out 10.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Wings knocked Conner out of the game with another four runs. Shortstop Jon Clinard (Austin-Peay University) hit a leadoff single and two batters later Blanchard drew a four pitch walk.

Cola then hit a bases clearing two RBI double, one of three consecutive doubles for the Wings. Second baseman Ryan Waldhart (Oakland University) and third baseman Will Harford (University of Notre Dame) hit the next couple of RBI doubles.

Ahead 8-1, the Wings cruised to victory. Dave Christoffersen (Stetston University) and Pete Brzezicki (University of Charleston) pitched scoreless eighth and ninth innings, respectively.

The Wings hoped to keep bats alive for their game at Webster the next day, but that would not be the case. They got their lone run in the top of the third on an RBI ground out by Waldhart that scored second baseman Gordy LaHann who hit a leadoff bloop double into right field.

Tied at one in the third, a sacrifice fly scored left fielder Nate Koontz.

Yankees starter Matt Jiminez gave up back-to-back hits with nobody out in the second and sixth, but held the Wings scoreless both times. In the fourth, Geneva had a runner on third with two outs in left fielder Dan Gliot and could not advance him 90 feet to score.

Jiminez tossed eight innings, striking out five and surrendering one run on six hits. His counterpart, Jared Fisher (Quincy University) had a solid outing (six innings pitched, two runs allowed and two strikeouts), but critical infield errors in the second and third extended each inning.

In all, the Wings made three errors. The Yankees scored in all three of those innings.

Lucas Anderson (Austin-Peay University) pitched the seventh and eighth for the Wings, giving up three runs.

The Wings will try to get back to winning against last place Niagara tonight.

After losing both games of a doubleheader to the Elmira Pioneers, the Geneva Red Wings bounced back at McDonough Park on Saturday night with a 3-2 win over the Webster Yankees.

The win puts the Wings at 13-17 overall, while Webster suffers its seventh consecutive loss and drops to 15-15. Starter Ryan Anderson (St. Petersburg College) got the win, tossing seven innings and striking out four.

The Yankees sent their ace to the mound in Michael Craig (4-0, 0.00 ERA heading into the game), but he struggled late and could not hold on to an early 1-0 lead.

Webster scored in the first inning on a fielding error by the Wings. Shortstop Shawn Bailey made it to third safely on a ground ball by third baseman Mike Walraven. The ball went to Wings shortstop Jon Clinard (Austin-Peay University), but in trying to get the lead runner out, he threw the ball past third baseman Will Harford (University of Notre Dame).

Bailey headed home and Walraven advanced to second.

Anderson held the Yankees scoreless through the next five innings, though. That was when the Wings hitting clicked.

Catcher Ryan Waldhart (Oakland University) led off the bottom of the sixth with a walk and then advanced to second on a ground out by Harford. Right fielder Jack Wortley came to the plate next and on a 1-2 count crushed a home run into deep right-centerfield, giving the Wings a 2-1 edge.

Webster tied the game the next half inning on a two-out RBI single by Clark. Anderson got two of the first three batters out, but another error and a walk to left fielder Chris Soldi brought the top of the order and Clark back up to hit.

The Wings answered right back though, scoring another run in the bottom of the seventh.

Craig gave up a lead off walk to Clinard to start the inning, and was subsequently replaced by Tyler Scott. Clinard advanced to second on a passed ball and then moved to third on a bunt single by pinch hitter Mike Blanchard (Austin-Peay University). Blanchard laid down a perfect bunt along the third base line and the throw was not in time to get the speedy outfielder.

Blanchard nearly got thrown out while trying to steal second on a pick off move by Scott, but he kept the rundown alive long enough to allow Clinard to score. Webster’s throw home bounced off the catcher Rhett Goodmiller’s glove and the Wings took the lead for good.

Lucas Anderson (Austin-Peay University) pitched the eighth, which including a critical strikeout to get out of a two on, two-out jam. Then closer Ryan Kassab (Long Island University) pitched the ninth and got his third save of the season.

Tomorrow the Wings play a 1 p.m. game at home against the Allegany County Nitros.