Frank Speziale Photo

OXFORD – Unadilla Valley snatched the lead in the extra inning of baseball needed to determine the outcome between the Storm and the host Oxford Blackhawks. UV was able to hold onto their 10-5 advantage for the win Tuesday, the program’s first game in three years.

The game was tied at five at end of the regulation play after Oxford rallied for two runs in the bottom of the seventh.

UV’s Colby Moore made an outstanding throw home to get the second out of the inning, preventing Oxford’s Jason Davis from scoring the winning run and sending the game to extra innings.

Batting in the top of the eighth, the Storm batters drew five walks and picked up two singles in their five run rally to take the lead back for good.

Oxford’s Nick Cirello was the only Blackhawk able to muster up anything in the bottom of the same frame as Cameron Osborne of the Storm faced four batters to end the game.

The Blackhawks took an early lead in the bottom of the second, scoring two runs. The Storm, however answered by scoring four runs. The of those runs came with Payton Stirone’s three-run home run in the frame that scored Colin Grant and Teddy Postma.

Grant got the start on the rubber for Unadilla Valley and lasted four innings, allowing five hits and three runs while striking out six Oxford batters.

Matt Roach led things off on the hill for Oxford. He went four innings, allowing four runs on three hits, striking out two.

Garrett Depew and Jason Davis entered the game as relief, throwing three innings and one inning respectively.

Payton Stirone went 2-for-4 at the plate to lead Unadilla Valley Storm Varsity in hits, including his home run in the top of the third.

Brad Beckwith, Cirello, and Depew each had two hits at the plate for the Blackhawks while Sean Smith, Davis and Roach recorded one.

“We kept our heads in the game after Oxford tied it in the bottom of the seventh inning,” said Storm head coach Matt Osborne. “Andrew Jackson and Cameron Osborne pitched a great game in relief of Colin Grant. Grant was solid on the mound. Payton Stirone’s three-run home run was a huge boost for our offense.”

The Storm will travel to Unatego on Wednesday for a 4:30 p.m. start against the Spartans while the Blackhawks will wait until Thursday before they travel to Afton.

Unadilla Valley 10, Oxford 5 (8 innings)

UV 0 0 4 0 1 0 0 5 – 10 6 1

Oxford 0 2 0 1 0 0 2 0 – 5 9 2

Colin Grant, Andrew Jackson (5, W) Cameron Osborne (S, 8) and Postma. Matt Roach, Garrett Depew (3,L), Jason Davis (8) and Brad Beckwith.

Doubles: (O) Garrett Depew (2), Matt Roach, Brad Beckwith (2).

HR: (UV) Payton Stirone.