All-Stars Deliver, Barton Impresses, But RedWings Fall Late to Ironbacks

Aiken Santana looking on before an AB. (photo by Connor Beagle)

Geneva, N.Y. — The Geneva RedWings were deadlocked with the Niagara Ironbacks heading into the ninth inning Thursday night, but a late-inning meltdown unraveled any hopes of a home victory. Tied at 8–8, Geneva surrendered six runs in the top of the ninth and fell 14–8 in a game that was tightly contested from the start.

Both teams traded momentum swings throughout the night in what was a back-and-forth affair. Niagara opened the scoring in the top of the second, but the RedWings quickly answered in the bottom half to tie it.

Geneva grabbed control in the fourth inning. Chase Fogg led off with a high drive to left that got held up by the whipping winds but still dropped in for a double. He advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and came home on Aiken Santana’s RBI single. Dylan Briggs followed with a single of his own, and Colin Clark roped a double into the gap in right-center, giving the RedWings a 4–1 lead.

Geneva starter Anthony Barton turned in one of the team’s stronger outings of the season, allowing just three runs over six innings. With a team ERA north of 9.00, Barton’s effort was a much-needed boost on the mound.

William Baker, a recent addition to the roster, came on in relief but struggled in his RedWings debut — allowing four earned runs on three hits and two walks in just two-thirds of an inning. His exit gave Niagara a 7–4 lead in the seventh.

But the RedWings weren’t done. Zach Banks launched a towering two-run homer over the scoreboard in right field — his first at McDonough Park — to pull Geneva within one. Aiken Santana followed by driving in his second run of the night to tie the game at 7-7.

Both teams traded runs in the eighth, with Geneva threatening to pull ahead after Christian Bermudez drew his third walk of the game with the bases loaded, bringing home the tying run. But the RedWings’ rally would end there as Chase Fogg struck out looking.

The Ironbacks capitalized in the ninth, sending up 11 batters against reliever Malachi Morgan. Morgan’s command issues continued as he issued four walks and gave up three hits, leaving the game out of reach for the Redwings.

Offensively, Geneva was powered by its two PGCBL All-Stars, who were the only RedWings to record multi-hit games. Santana broke out in a big way, going 4-for-4 with a triple, two RBIs, two runs scored, and a walk — snapping out of a 1-for-13 slump. Banks added a 2-for-4 night with a walk and his second homer of the season.

The RedWings have lost their last 10 games. They play tonight against the Newark Pilots at Colburn Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 PM.

Story written by Jacob Rodriguez | Red Wings Broadcast & Media Team