The Hornell Steamers rallied but fell just short 11-10 to the Horseheads Hitmen in front of over 600 students on the team’s annual Kid’s Day contest.
Horseheads jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the 1st inning. Danny Melendez (Finger Lakes CC) hit a sac fly in the bottom of the 3rd to get the Steamers on the board.
The Hitmen answered with a five-run 4th inning to make it 8-1. Tim Burns (UMaine Presque Isle) connected on a solo homer down the left field line in the bottom of the inning.
Horseheads added a pair of runs in the 5th before Burns collected a RBI groundout in the 6th to make it 10-3.
The Hitmen scored their final run of the game in the 7th before Hornell started their rally. In the bottom of the 7th, Melendez collected a RBI single before the team sent 11 batters to the plate in the 8th. Jason Story (Utica) started the scoring in the 8th with a long two-run homer to right field. Melendez drew a bases loaded walk, Robert Chesney (Central Connecticut ) scored on a wild pitch, and DJ Stoianovich (Finger Lakes CC) was hit by a pitch to make it 11-9.
Anthony Brotz came out of the bullpen and got out of the bases loaded jam by getting the final out of the 8th.
Liam Eshelman (Monroe CC) who was outstanding out of the pen set the Hitmen down in order in the 9th to keep it 11-9. Burns made it 11-0 when he lifted his second homer of the day over the left field fence. Vince D’eusanio (Youngstown State) reached base with one out in the inning and pinch runner Emmanuel McClain (Hilbert) stole second but Brotz was able to get the final out of the game to seal the victory.
Story was 2 for 3 with 2 RBI off the bench while Burns was 2 for 5 with 3 RBI. Ryan Hill (Mercyhurst) was 2 for 4 while Melendez drove in three.
Eshelman pitched 4.2 innings out of the bullpen for Hornell. He allowed just one run on four hits and two walks while striking out one.
Matt Procopi led Horseheads’ 14-hit attack with a 3 for 5, 5 RBI day. Josh Bologh was 3 for 4 with 2 RBI. Chris Paultre earned the win while Brotz got the final four outs for the save.
Hornell is slated to take on the Genesee Rapids tonight at 7 p.m. The game will be the annual Baseball and Books event for Hornell Intermediate School students.
