Devils 'Trot' past NP, fall in slugfest
Liam "Trot" Kelly (Buffalo, N.Y./Bishop Timon) delivered a pinch-hit single to cap a four-run rally in Game 1 in a 6-5 victory over New Paltz on Sunday. The Hawks claimed the nightcap, 12-10.
With the Devils down 5-2, and one out in the bottom of the seventh and final inning, Ricky Mendiola (Williamsville, N.Y./Williamsville South) was hit by a pitch. After a pitching change, he would advance to second on a wild pitch. Vincent Sherman (North Collins, N.Y./North Collins) followed with a single. Kenny Johnston (Buffalo, N.Y./Kenmopre West) then hit a towering popup to left that was dropped for a two-base error, plating one run.
Quinn Danahy (Buffalo, N.Y./Bishop Timon) then ripped a hard single right at the centerfielder to plate Sherman and advance Johnston to third. Danahy would take second on the throw to the plate. The Devils tied the game on a fielder's choice groundball by Kyle Sherman (North Collins, N.Y./North Collins), advancing Fie to third.
Kelly the stepped to the plate and delivered a basehit to end the game, scoring pinch-runner Derek Fie (Corning, N.Y./Corning East).
Matt Wilhelm (Buffalo, N.Y./Amherst) pitched one inning of relief to get the win (1-2). Jake Harford (Silver Creek, N.Y./Silver Creek) was the Blue Devil starter. He allowed three runs on seven hits over the first six innings. Wilhelm allowed two runs in his inning of work.
Game 2 saw the Devil connect for 15 hits -- including five doubles -- and 10 runs, but it was not enough as New Paltz parleyed 11 hits, four hit batters, three walks and three Blue Devil errors into 12 runs. Zach Jordon (Akron, N.Y. / Akron) took the loss for Fredonia, falling to 4-1.
Danahy finished the day with four hits for Fredonia. Dan Cecilia (Utica, N.Y./Whitesboro), Michael Prentice (West Seneca, N.Y./St. Fancis), Johnston and Mendiola each had three hits in the double-dip. Mendiola had a pair of doubles and a triple to his credit.
Fredonia dropped to 9-10 (4-3 SUNYAC) while New Paltz improved to 4-15 (1-8 SUNYAC).
The Blue Devils will be back in action Monday afternoon as they take on SUNYAC opponent Cortland. The game was scheduled to be played in Fredonia; however due to field conditions the game will now be played at St. Bonaventure University. First pitch is set for 11 a.m.
