Big First inninng by Saints eliminates Norwich in five

BINGHAMTON – Facing the Seton Catholic Saints for the third time this season, Norwich knew that it was going to be a tough task to take down the top seed of the Section IV Class B tournament.

Playing at NYSEG Stadium, Norwich was ready.

Starting the game with a lead-off single was the Tornado’s Tanner Franklin. Franklin hit a hard ground ball to the short stop and sprinted down the first baseline, beating out the throw.

J.T. Vinal stepped to the plate for his first at-bat of the game and ripped a line drive through the right side of the infield for another Norwich single.

Marcus Cashman drew a walk off of Seton’s starter Peter Hartick and the bases were loaded for Eli Rodriguez.

Rodriguez hit a high, fly ball to short center. Seton’s Michael Martin caught the ball but fell to the ground as his momentum pulled him down, giving Franklin enough time to score on the sacrifice fly and Norwich a 1-0 lead early in the ball game.

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Next up for the Purple was Mike Trevisani. He was hit by a pitch from Hartick, and once again the bases were full for the next Tornado up to the plate.

It was A.J. Little’s turn. Making contact on the first pitch by Hartick, Little grounded to the Saints second baseman, Tanner Sinicki. Sinicki fielded the ball and fired it to the short stop, Leo Gallagher, who was covering the base and got Cashman out at second.

Quickly turning towards first was Gallagher. He sent the ball across the right side of the diamond to get Little out at first for the inning-ending double play.

What came next was not expected by anyone in the Norwich crowd.

Seton started their first plate appearance with back-to-back singles and a Norwich error on their bunt attempt. The error tied the game at 1-1.

Finbarr Huff of the Saints lined a shot to right field, sending the ball over Brayden Supensky’s head to score two teammates and take the lead.

The Saints continued to pour on the runs. Zach Pruden, Seton’s lead-off batter, saw the plate for the second time in the inning and send another ball to Supensky’s direction. Once again, the ball was deep enough for a bases clearing triple – the second one of the inning– and the Saints held a 7-1 lead.

Purple Tornado head coach Rich Turnbull brought Trevisani in on relief to face Gallagher. Trevisani was able to make Gallagher pop out in the infield to end the inning, but the damage was done.