By CHRIS BROOKS, sports editor, Wellsvillesports.com
BOLIVAR — Just like the girls contest down the road in Richburg, Hornell and Bolivar-Richburg came together for yet another close affair on Thursday. Only this one was a bit closer.
Just three runs between both clubs would scratch across the plate, the first coming from the Red Raiders early on, as they held a 1-0 lead for much of the game. With the lead being pushed to a pair, a chance to provide some late pressure arose in the seventh for the host Wolverines.
Although they were able to cut their deficit to one, it would not be enough to full overcome in the end, as Hornell held on by the skin of their teeth to hand Bolivar-Richburg their first loss of the season, ending an eight-game win streak in the process with a 2-1 victory.
“Matt McKee threw really well and we played good defense behind him today,” Red Raiders coach Jake Kenney said. “I thought we battled better today at the plate against a good arm in (Landon) Danaher. We got two timely hits when we needed them, and we made some big defensive plays in crucial moments.”
Hornell garnered their runs in both the second and seventh innings to take a 2-0 lead on Bolivar-Richburg (8-1), with Wyatt Argentieri and Dominic Nasca combining to record five of the team’s six total hits, each earning an RBI hit to account for their runs being scored. Argentieri went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate to lead the Red Raiders on the front line.
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The Wolverines, despite being shut down all the way to the end, saw one final opportunity to strike against Hornell. In the bottom of the seventh, Trey Buchholz turned up the heat with a late RBI single to score Landon Danaher, cutting their deficit in half. But the arm of Gates Miller in relief was able to record the save behind a trio of strikeouts and just one walk to assist Hornell in coming away victorious.
“Both pitchers threw really well,” said Wolverines coach Dustin Allen. “Give Hornell credit, they did some small things right to get the runs in. We couldn’t take advantage of the opportunities that we had. It was well played both sides, and hopefully this is something that we can learn from to bounce back.”
The Wolverines also finished with six hits at the plate, with Cam MacDonell helping the cause with a double. On the rubber, Landon Danaher went the distance behind four strikeouts and two walks.
Bolivar-Richburg will head for Wellman Field in Friendship tonight for a 5 p.m. first pitch against host Friendship/Scio.
Hornell 010 000 1 – 2 6 0
Bolivar-Richburg 000 000 1 – 1 6 1
HHS – Matt McKee (WP) (3K, 3BB), Gates Miller (7) (3K, BB), and Nick Oyer.
B-R – Landon Danaher (LP) (CG, 4K, 2BB), and Aydin Sisson.
