TURNER AND BANKS LEAD THE WAY IN SEASON OPENER FOR RED WINGS

NEWARK, NY- The Geneva Red Wings opened their 2025 campaign on the road against the Newark Pilots in dramatic fashion. 

Redshirt freshman outfielder Zach Banks finished 2-3 with 2 runs scored, an RBI, and a double.

Center fielder Braden Freeman helped the Red Wings get out of the gates first with a SAC fly to left field in the 2nd inning to bring home Jack Turner, giving the Red Wings an early 1-0 lead. While Geneva would fall behind at the bottom of the inning after jumping out to a fast start, the Red Wings would tie the game back up in the 3rd on a Jack Turner single to right field to bring home Aiken Santana. The 4th and 5th innings saw the Red Wings fall back behind 5-2, before Jack Turner again would drive in two runs with a double to center in the top of the 8th. The bottom half of the 8th saw the game slowly slip away from Geneva, as they watched three runs cross the plate, giving Newark an 8-4 lead. The Red Wings would have to rally back in the top of the 9th to make the game meaningful once more. 

Starting that rally would be none other than shortstop Jaden Madrid, who smashed a 2 RBI double to deep right field, bringing the Red Wings within two. Zach Banks would drive a SAC fly out to right field to bring home Casey Burcroff, leaving it up to Aiken Santana to guide Jordan Perry home on an error by the Newark third baseman. With the game tied heading into the bottom of the 9th, the Red Wings would look to force extra innings after coming back to tie it up at eight apiece.

However, in what was a back-and-forth game all night for both teams, would end in a Red Wings error, resulting in a walk-off finish and defeat at the hands of the rival Pilots.

Junior outfielder Jack Turner would finish the evening 3-4 from the plate with 3 RBIs and a double. Turner also scored one run and stole a base in his debut game with the Red Wings.

Redshirt freshman outfielder Zach Banks finished 2-3 with 2 runs scored and an RBI, and a double of his own.

The Red Wings' next game is Wednesday, June 4th at McDonough Park against the Newark Pilots with a first pitch time scheduled for 6:30 PM. Be sure to order your tickets today at GenevaRedWings.com or simply stop by the gate on gameday. June 3rd, 2025

By Connor Beagle