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After not playing good games in the last two tries, it took some major motivation by the Bees squad to turn around and split the series with West Genesee on Wednesday afternoon. The Bees did just that, as they won 6-5 in walkoff fashion, at home against the Wildcats.
Things looked fairly positive in the early innings, as the Bees scratched out three runs in the first three innings against Colin Bevard, one of West Genesee's better pitchers. While Bevard kept the Bees to one hit in four innings, the Bees capitalized on some opportunities.
In the first inning, with one out, David Cerqua was hit by a pitch. Then, with two outs and with Cerqua running on the pitch, Billy Clifford rocketed a line drive double to deep left center, bringing home Cerqua.
In the second inning, the Bees took advantage of an error on a ball hit by Alex Robinson, a stolen base, and two wild pitches, to take a 2-0 lead.
A walk to Tommy McKee, whose on-base percentage is a phenomenal .682, started the bottom of the third inning. McKee then stole second base and Zach Bush walked. Cerqua sacrifice bunted McKee and Bush to third and second, respectively. Seeing that Clifford was the next batter and first base was open, West Genesee chose to intentionally walk Clifford, obviously not wanting a repeat performance of his first inning heroics. The plan backfired, however, when Jarrod Williams was hit by a pitch, forcing in McKee from third.
Starting pitcher Cody Kaestle, who has been the Bees most consistent pitcher, sailed through the first three innings with no runs and gave up only one infield hit.
In the top of the fourth inning, however, West Genesee scored two runs on three hits and a walk off Kaestle and then scored two more in the fifth to take a 4-3 lead against the Bees.
The Bees immediately answered back in the bottom frame, as Cerqua walked, forcing Bevard from the game. Anthony May then singled. With one out, Jarrod Williams grounded to the shortstop, who threw out May at second, but the second baseman overthrew first base, allowing Cerqua to score and tie the game at 4-4.
Both teams failed to score in the sixth inning, as Keenan Nellis got the first two batters out, but then had to leave the game with an injury after giving up a walk and a single. With runners on second and third and a full count on the batter, Jarrod Williams struck out the Wildcats' cleanup hitter on a fastball.
In the top of the seventh, West Genesee was able to take advantage of a walk by Williams, a stolen base, and a wild pitch to get a runner to third with one out. The next batter executed a suicide squeeze which brought home the Wildcats' fifth run, giving them a 5-4 lead.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Bees' last opportunity, things looked a little grim. Cerqua had grounded out, and May, who had walked, was forced out at second on a fielder's choice groundball to the shortstop by Clifford. With two outs and Clifford on first, Jarrod Williams was plunked for the second time in the game, giving the Bees runners on first and second.
That brought up Cam Williams, who had been the hero against Liverpool only a week ago. And once again, Cam delivered.
Williams grounded a ball between the shortstop and third baseman, as Clifford sprinted to third. Bees coach Dave Penafeather waved him to home. The third baseman cut the ball off and Clifford scored easily to tie the game at 5-5. Still, two outs.
Next up was Robinson, who had hit his past two balls hard. This time, Robinson seemed to hit the ball off the end of the bat in the hole towards the shortstop, who had to charge the ball but could not make the play . . . a single for Robinson. Bases loaded, two outs.
Nate Johns stepped to the plate, perhaps with visions of a big hit to seal the win for the Bees.
But, he did just enough. Taking a big swing, Johns mis-timed the swing and nubbed the ball back towards the pitcher, maybe ten feet from the plate. The pitcher charged in and Nick Borek, who was pinch-running for Jarrod Williams, sprinted for home. The pitcher, realizing he could not make a play at first, instead opted for a force a home and flipped the ball to the catcher.
The ball was in the air, Borek slid, the dust flew. The umpire made the call: safe. The catcher had bobbled the ball and the Bees had a walk-off win... again. 6-5.
Jarrod Williams got the win on the mound for the Bees and Alex Robinson had two hits.
The Bees play again tomorrow (Thursday) to decide who wins the series, as the teams have split the last two games.
