GALLERY of photos by JC’s Photography,
The Horseheads Hitmen scored eight unanswered runs to rally for a 9-8 victory over the Hornell Steamers in the 2024 NYCBL opener for both teams.
The Hitmen got on the board first with three straight two-out singles. Matt Procopio delivered the RBI hit.
Hornell answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning. Cooper Dailey (Delgado CC) scored on a wild pitch and Brody Langlotz (Gulf Coast State College) followed with a RBI single.
In the 2nd, Braden McLin (Louisiana Christian) delivered a two-RBI single to center and scored on a ground out by Dailey.
Hornell made it 6-1 in the 4th, when McLin singled and came around to score on a wild pitch.
Horseheads started their comeback in the 5th when they took advantage of an error that extended the inning. Michael Fabiano was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, Jason Smith drove in a pair with a long sac fly to right, and Lucas Granger cut it 6-5 with a RBI single.
Hornell stranded the bases loaded in the 5th and a throwing error in the 6th tied the game. The Steamers once again loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning but could not take back the lead.
The Hitmen took their first lead in the 8th when Fabiano hit a RBI single to short and Jason Smith followed with a 2-RBI single.
The Steamers didn’t go away and mounted a rally in the 9th. With two outs, McLin hit a RBI triple to right center to score Markus Brehm (Finger Lakes CC). Dailey followed with a RBI double to make it 9-8. Tyler Bauder was able to record strand the tying run at second to end the game and seal the win.
McLin finished 3 for 6 with 3 RBI while Dailey was 3 for 6 with 2 RBI. Langlotz was 2 for 4 with a run batted in. Hornell stranded 13 runners in the game.
Procopio was 3 for 4 with 2 RBI while Smith drove in four. Roman Mahler earned the win with three shutout innings of relief while Bauder picked up the save.
Hornell travels down I86 on Friday for the first ever home game for the Salamanca Lizards. First pitch is at 7 p.m.
