Posted: Mar 21, 2016
Defensive Mistakes with a Late Power Surge Come Up Short in Cannoneers 2016 Opener
The new seasoned opened up with a Mid-State Conference double header at beautiful Hoy Field on the campus of Cornell University vs. Tompkins-Cortland.
Game 1: Jefferson 4 – Tompkins Cortland 7
The first game of 2016 would get off to a good start when the Cannoneers plated one run in the top of the first inning. Freshmen Victor Christiansen (Toronto, Ontario) scored from second on the first career college hit and RBI from freshmen outfielder Michael Espino (Bronx, NY). In this frame the Cannoneers would leave the bases loaded which would haunt them for the rest of the game.
Taking the mound in game one of 2016 was Tyler Stroud (Warsaw, NY). Stroud ran into trouble early, however settled down and pitched into the 6th inning for the Cannoneers only throwing 66 pitches in the effort. On the day Stroud struck out three and walked just one earning the loss. Freshmen Jonathan Mele (Schomberg, Ontario) pitched in relief allowing just one hit and no runs scored.
Tompkins Cortland scored four runs in the first inning and added three more in the fifth & sixth inning. The Cannoneers entered the top of the seventh down 7-1 when a late game attack came up short. The inning started with a leadoff single from freshmen infielder John Andrews (Apalachin, NY), followed by a hit by pitch, and a base hit by sophomore outfielder Yonnelle Firebrace (Whitby, Ontario). Sophomore Hunter Thomas (Elmira, NY) would plate a run on a fielder's choice bringing up Espino with two out. Espino hit a double into the left-center gap scoring Andrews and Christiansen for two RBI brining the score to 7-4. However the rally would come up short as Tompkins Cortland got the final out on a strikeout closing the game at 7-4.
Game 2: Jefferson 1 – Tompkins Cortland 3
Game two wasn't much different for the Cannoneers. They fell behind early giving up a run in the bottom of the first, third, and fourth inning before scoring their only run in the top of the sixth.
Starting the second game on the mound was freshmen Matthew Villalobos (Brooklyn, NY). In his college debut, Villalobos pitched four innings allowing 3 runs, only 2 earned, striking out two and allowing just one walk. Pitching in relief was freshmen Jarrod Bellinger (Watertown, NY). Bellinger contributed two innings of work allowing no runs, one hit, and striking out two.
Offensively the Cannoneers couldn't get anything working until the third inning. Freshmen Emmanuel Olivo (Queens, NY) provided a one out hit followed by a double from sophomore infielder Joel Reynoso (Queens, NY). However the Cannoners would strand both Olivo and Reynoso at second and third in the frame.
In the fourth the Cannoneers would get the bases loaded with two out from a base hit provided by sophomore Edward Corniel (New York, NY), followed by a walk and a hit by pitch. The Cannoneers could not capitalize for the second inning in a row after Tompkins Cortland got the last out of the frame from a strike out.
Providing the only run of the game was Michael Espino in the sixth inning. Espino lead off the inning with a base hit and eventually scored on Victor Christiansen's single. Again the Cannoneers could not drive in the extra run when it counted as they left Christiansen at third, making this frame the fourth consecutive inning leaving runners in scoring position.
The seventh for the Cannoneers would not be any different. Yonnelle Firebrace hit a two out single followed by a walk from Hunter Thomas. Thompkins Cortland would finish the game striking out the final batter as the Cannoneers strand another runner in scoring position, the fifth inning in a row where the Cannoneers could not capitalize to drive in the run.
Next up for the Cannoneers is a trip to New York City for six games. They will travel Wednesday playing doubleheaders on Thursday vs. the Borough of Manhattan CC, Friday vs. Westchester CC, and Saturday vs. ASA College before returning back to Watertown.