July 26, 2010 - Alfred – The Alfred Thunder needed a pair of wins against the Geneva Red Wings to get back in the hunt of the Western Division playoffs. The first game of the double header was actually a completion of a game that was started June 23rd, where the Thunder were leading by a score of 8-4 in the bottom of the 7th inning.
Alfred had the bases loaded and nobody out to start the inning, and immediately cashed in. Jon Jurinko hit a sacrifice fly to right field scoring Justin Fahy, and then Taylor Kaprive followed with a 2 RBI double to left field. Those three runs pushed the lead to 11-4, and it looked like Alfred had things in the bag.
Trevor Alaniz was slated to start the 8th inning, but struggled and was pulled without recording an out. After walking two, hitting two, and giving up a hit, Alaniz was pulled for Andrew Crisman, who came in to try to preserve what was now an 11-6 lead. After allowing a sacrifice fly, bringing home the third run of the inning, Crisman retired the next two batters to end the inning.
The final score of the suspended game was 11-7, and the Thunder record matched Geneva’s, putting them in a tie for fifth place.
That made game two a very important game for both teams, and Alfred was led by a strong start by Jesse Meier. Alfred scored three runs in the 2nd inning, when Matt O’Neil sent a single into right field with the bases loaded scoring Jay Olson and Yogi Vanaman. Justin Fahy then singled home the third run of the inning, giving Alfred a 3-0 lead.
In the 4th inning, Alfred tacked on another run on the suicide squeeze by Fahy, scoring Matt O’Neil who was barreling down the third base line. Meier made it through six innings before being pulled, not allowing a run, while scattering just three hits.
The key to the game was the Alfred counter attack. When Geneva struck for two runs in the top of the 7th inning off reliever Robert Anders, Alfred came right back and added three runs to their total. Going into the 8th inning, the Thunder had pushed their lead to a 7-2 mark.
The Red Wings came right back and put two runs on the board against Andrew Crisman in the top of the 8th inning. After getting the first two batters out, Taylor Kaprive misplayed a ground ball at third and kept the inning alive. After a walk and a double, Alfred saw their lead slip to 7-4.
Once again, Alfred struck back to solidify their lead, scoring two runs in the bottom of the 8th when Justin Fahy drove home Calvin Bass, who pinch ran for Yogi Vanaman, and Zach Buckler. The lead swelled to 9-4,a, and that’s where things would wind up.
Trey Frazier pitched a scoreless 9th inning, which was a good sign after his start against Elmira when he gave up 7 runs and didn’t make it through the 2nd inning. If Alfred is hoping to make the playoffs they will need a solid performance out of all their pitcher in the next few days.
Alfred plays their final home games in the form of two seven-inning games tomorrow against the third place Webster Yankees. They will then travel to Niagara on Wednesday and Scio on Thursday to take on Allegany County.
Have questions or comments? Contact SID Kyler Ludlow at kylerludlow@me.com
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