On Saturday night at McDonough Park, the variety of narratives featured a dominant Geneva debut from pitcher Winfred Nelson (Hilbert College) and a late night thriller. The visiting Onondaga Flames (13-15) walked away victorious after 13 innings against the hosting Red Wings (18-13).
Through the first nine innings, only two half innings involved scoring. A Joseph Tassin (Bossier Parish CC) single scored William Simoneit (Cornell) to get things started for the Wings in the bottom of the second. Tassin eventually came around to score on a wild pitch.
For the Flames, their only scoring in the first nine innings came on two runs in the top of the seventh. Camillo Spinoso (Le Moyne) lead the inning off with a solo home run, and then a sacrifice fly scored Anthony Scalzo (Gonzaga).
The next scoring play would not happen until extra innings. In the top of the 10th, Kyle Gallagher (Cornell) split the right center gap with a triple that scored Colin BeVard (SUNY Cortland) to break the 2-2 tie. Gallagher then scored during the next at bat on a passed ball to make it 4-2.
In the bottom half of the inning, the Wings’ first two batters went down in order. They were down to their last out. Matt Collins (Cornell) responded with a double off the wall. The next batter, Jake Lyle (Volunteer State CC), shot a 1-2 pitch to right field to score Collins. Lyle advanced to second on the throw home, which proved crucial. The next batter Matt Chamberlain (University of New Haven) singled to left, and Lyle scored on a play at the plate, just getting his hand on home plate before the tag was applied. Yohei Ishiyama (Nihon University, Japan) lined out straight to the left fielder to end the inning.
In the top of the 13th, a leadoff walk to Scalzo would ultimately result in the deciding run. He scored on a wild pitch during Colin BeVard’s at bat later in the inning.
The game ended in appropriate fashion. In the bottom of the 13th, Simoneit worked a two out walk. The next batter, Trustin Riley (University of Tampa), lined a double down the third base line. Simoneit was waved home, attempting to score from first base. The relay and throw beat him to the plate, and the tag was applied before he could touch home. That was the third and final out of the ballgame.
Winfred Nelson dazzled in his Red Wings debut, allowing only 2 hits in 6.0 innings of scoreless work. Relievers Devon King (Post University) and Brent Holcombe (Bossier Parish CC) made appearances during the traditional nine innings of play. Colby Mullins (Andrew College) pitched the last four frames for Geneva, and got tabbed with the loss.
Onondaga used six different pitchers in the contest. The relievers combined for 8.0 innings, giving up only two runs in the process. Jared Straight (Wells) earned the victory, tossing 3.0 scoreless innings.
These two teams will play each other again on Sunday, this time in Syracuse. The Flames will play host in a 6:00 game at Onondaga Community College.
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