Wagley’s return lifts Power to 7-2 win over Rapids
Photo by Dan Hickling @DanHickling
By Justin Laduca
Niagara Falls, NY- The Niagara Power improved to 10-8 on the season last night with a 7-2 win over the Genesee Rapids in New York Collegiate Baseball League play at Sal Maglie Stadium, Thursday. Niagara opened the scoring in the bottom of the third inning when Ryan Wagley (Arlington Baptist) stepped up to the plate and hit a two-run RBI double that scored fellow teammates Austin Yeoman (Clearwater Christian) and Tyler Marcinko (Piedmont). Later in the inning Wagley reached home on a wild pitch by Genesee Pitcher Brown Lewis (Ohio Mid-Western College), making the game 3-0.
The game was an emotional night for Wagley as it was his first game back, after the unfortunate passing of his father this past week. After the game Wagley stated that he really wanted to do something special last night, and that he really appreciated all of the support he received from his great teammates.
After the third inning Niagara scored two runs in the sixth inning and one run in the eighth.
Jonathan Knapp (Cornerstone) allowed one run on two hits over six innings for a win in his first appearance with the Power. Knapp fanned five batters and walked three. After the game Knapp said that he felt great to be pitching for the Niagara Power, and felt that his team played exceptional defense behind him, especially his catcher Jack Trotman (UMass-Lowell).
Jack LaMarca (Ohio Northern) brought home run in the sixth for Genesee with a sacrifice fly to score Chaz Tanner (Virginia Wise). Tanner corossed the dish again on a passed ball in the eighth. Brown Lewis (ohio Mid-Western) took the loss for Genesee allowing five hits and four runs, while fanning two and walking three. He is now (0-1) with a 9.22 ERA.
Niagara’s Caleb Lang (Philadelphia Biblical) went 3-3 with an RBI. Marcinko and Yeoman each collected two hits for the Power. Marcinko drove in two. Yeoman scored twice.
Tanner went 2-2 and scored twice.
Niagara (10-8) is now 6.5 games back of the Western Division-leading Hornell Dodgers (19-4). Niagara hosts Wellsville (5-13) Friday night at Sal Maglie Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. It will be the first game of a three game series against Wellsville.
Genesee (10-12) opens a four-game set with second-place Geneva Twins (13-8) Friday. A 7 p.m. start is also slated at McDonough Park.
