The Red Wings used a four hit night from PGCBL 2018 all-star Nick LaBrasca (Youngstown State) and a strong outing from starting pitcher Hayden Seig (St. Joseph’s) to take a commanding 8-1 lead in the first seven and a half innings of this suspended game on Monday night.
Geneva would jump out to an early three-run lead in the bottom of the first inning. With two outs, right fielder Jared (Delaware St) hit an RBI double to right field scoring left fielder Brian Knapp (Pomona College). Wing’s center fielder Jack Harris (San Francisco State) would follow up with a two RBI single right up the middle of the field scoring both LaBrasca and Gillis.
Geneva starting pitcher Hayden Seig would pitch himself out of trouble in the top of the second inning. After issuing two straight walks in the frame, Seig would retire the next three consecutive batters to keep the Wing’s three run lead intact.
The Wings extend their lead in the bottom of the fifth inning when shortstop Jack Harris hit a leadoff homerun to left center, giving the Wings a 4-0 lead. Third baseman Justin Barr (Central Alabama C.C) hit a sac-fly to right field, scoring LaBrasca and moving the lead to 5-0. The Wings would then capitalize on a pioneers error as Gillis scored. Catcher Blaine McRay (McMurray University) then hit an RBI single to score Harris, giving the Wings a seven run lead.
Elmira would cut into the lead when center fielder Anthony Nucerino capitalized on a wild pitch to cut the lead to 7-1. Wings pitcher Hayden Seig would go on to get three groundball outs to retire the side. This would be Seig’s last inning of work, going seven innings and allowing one run on one hit with four total strikeouts.
The Wings would quickly get their seven run lead back in the bottom of the seventh inning when Knapp grounded into a double play, scoring Barr and moving the score to 8-1.
With the Wings coming up to bat in the bottom of the eighth inning, the left field stadium lights went out and were unable to be turned back on. The remainder of this game had to be rescheduled to when the next time these two teams meet.
Next up for both teams, the PGCBL all-star game will be held on Wednesday 7/18 at Elmira where Red Wings players Nick LaBrasca, Zac Miller, Sean Lubreski, and Jack Collins will compete. Geneva will be back home at McDonough Park on Saturday 7/21 on Geneva Police Night when they play host to the Adirondack Trailblazers, first pitch is at 7:05 with fireworks to follow the game.