Wings back at .500 after loss to Alfred
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.