The Hornell Steamers got a pair of timely hits and solid relief pitching as they defeated the Genesee Rapids 4-3 on Thursday evening. The Steamers are now 9-9 on the year.
Hornell jumped out to an early lead in the 1st inning. Paxton Hughes (Trevecca Nazarene) hit a RBI double to score Bryson Rigsby (Webster) and Brody Burdett (Alfred State) drew a bases loaded walk.
Genesee scored their lone runs in the 2nd. They scored on a balk and Grant Hartley hit a two run homer to right.
The game remained 3-2 until the 5th when Hughes singled to left field to score Peyton Johnson (Indiana U of PA). Johnson doubled one batter earlier.
In the 8th, Connor Kiefer (Monroe CC) and Burdett singled to lead off the inning before Torrey Roper (Indiana U of PA) hit the game-winning RBI double.
Burdett, who came out of the Steamer bullpen in the 7th, held the lead. He finished the night with 2.2 innings of one hit scoreless relief to earn the win. He walked one and struck out four. This followed Tre Lawson (Keuka). Lawson went 5.1 innings of relief allowing just one run on four hits. He walked one and struck out two.
Hughes was 2 for 4 with 2 RBI, Roper finished 2 for 4 with a RBI, Kiefer was 2 for 4, and Johnsn was 2 for 5.
Hornell heads down I-86 on Friday for a 7 p.m. contest vs. Olean.
