Cameron Turner Photo
NORWICH – The Chenango Hellcats hope that the tune has been set for their 2017 spring/summer campaign – earning back-to-back wins over Utica on Saturday, June 3.
“Game one was toughest win I’ve ever coached,” said Junior Hellcat head coach Nick McCullough. “You will never see a team commit eight errors, and still win. Until we did it today.”
The Junior Hellcats jumped to a solid 3-0 start after the first inning, before surrendering their first run to Utica in the top of the second inning. At 3-1, the Hellcats looked to keep the lead, sending two additional runners home for a 5-1 game after two innings.
That is when it seemed to all fall apart.
“We left the bases loaded twice. And we couldn’t capitalize,” said coach McCullough. “But the few big hits we had was enough.”
The Junior Hellcats gave up back-to-back innings of two runs a piece to Utica, resulting in a tied ballgame entering the fifth inning.
Breaking the silence in the bottom of the fifth inning – after blanking Utica in the top of the inning – Junior Hellcat, Eli Rodriguez of Norwich connected for a ground ball where he would reach on an error. This error on the play, secured Rodriguez a base and teammate Cameron Birtch a run.
Two batters later – Hellcat Nick Shoemaker was walked – Oxford native, Brad Beckwith stepped to the plate and simply shined in the spotlight. Beckwith connected for a single down the third base line – resulting in yet another run for the 7-5 Junior Hellcat lead.
Taking the win on the mound for the Junior Hellcats was Norwich’s Mike Trevisani, who pitched 100 pitches in 6.1 innings, for four walks and four strikeouts – allowing six hits in the process. Trevisani was pulled late in the game for Rodriguez who finished off Utica to the tune of nine pitches and one strikeout, no walks.
“Mike Trevisani pitched really well. Kept us in the game, then he hit a wall in the 7th. He obviously just got tired. But Eli came in and shut the door getting the last 2 outs to close the game,” said coach McCullough.
Tyler Hagen and Eli Rodriguez would both finish 2-3 and 2-4, respectively on the day. Hagen secured two walks and three runs, while Rodriguez snagged an RBI to go along with his two runs.
The Junior Hellcats were given some time off to recuperate before game two of the double-header began at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.
UT: 0 1 2 2 0 0 0– 5 6 4
CH: 3 2 0 0 2 0 x– 7 8 7
NORWICH – Game two was underway, and the bats were on fire. The Chenango Junior Hellcats made it a double win on Saturday, downing Utica for the second time at 13-10.
