Red Wings stay red hot in one game playoff
By MATTHEW MECKLEY
GENEVA- After a two hour rain delay, the Geneva Red Wings were able to play their one game playoff versus division foe Elmira on Wednesday night. Luckily the rain held off for the remainder off the night as the Red Wings won 7-5 to advance in the playoffs.
It looked as if Geneva’s season was in jeopardy just two pitches in the game. Elmira’s Jordan Westburg hit a home run deep into center field to give the Pioneers an early 1-0 advantage.
“Just keep fighting,” Red Wings coach Dave Shwam told his players. “We got nine innings to play. I knew something like that could happen because of the long delay. We weren’t sure if we were playing or not playing.”
Geneva responded perfectly in the bottom of the second. Outfielder Jack Harris crushed a solo shot home run in center field. Shortly after catcher Zac Miller hit another solo home run that went deep into left field to give the home team a 2-1 edge. Harris put on a performance finishing 4-for-4, adding a three shot home run in the seventh, as well as two doubles and five RBI’s.
“He had a great night, without him I don’t think we win this ball game. He single-handedly put us on his shoulders.” Shwam said.
“At the plate I was just trying to be aggressive and get pitches to hit,” Harris said. “I was seeing the ball pretty well, and that did well for me tonight.”
The Pioneers got back into the game in the eighth as Robert Parteet chipped in with a 2 RBI single to make the score 7-4. Colin Davis added an RBI single in the top of the ninth to creep closer. However, Red Wings closer Joey Haas was able to strike-out two batters to seal his fourth save of the season.
Geneva will travel to Jamestown tonight for a best of three playoff match-up. The Jammers hold the best record in the PGCBL at 31-14. After beating them 16-3 on Tuesday night at McDonough Park; the Red Wings feel confident heading into the contest.
“Hopefully our line-up keeps rolling, because it wasn’t a single guy effort tonight. The way we’ve been swinging the bat; who knows what could happen, it could go either way.” Harris added.
“We just have to keep up this same energy,” Shwam added. “It’s tough this time of year to keep that energy up like that; especially going on the road. We haven’t had a lot of success there. They (Jamestown) play much better there then they do on the road. We’re kind of the same way; we play better here than we do on the road. We just got to keep the energy up. It’s tough this time of year; the kid’s minds are in two different places. One’s at home and one’s here; and it’s just tough. We got to come out and score early there; you have to score early on them. If they get you down; they’re going to keep you down.”
Comentarii