Webster Makes It A Happy Father’s Day

Dave Brust’s lineup pasted pairs of runs in three separate innings and a trio of pitchers held opposing bats in check, Sunday, as Webster defeated Geneva, 6-2 in New York Collegiate Baseball League action at Basket Road Field.

Nate Koontz (Ball State) smashed his second home run of the season, and Lincoln Rassi (Toledo) tossed six stanzas for the win.

After surrendering three hits and two runs to the game’s first three batters, Rassi shut down the Wings from there. The right hander struck out three, walked none, and scattered three more hits.

Webster’s bats took over from there.

Shawn Bailey (SUNY Cortland) led the fourth reaching second when Travis Capps (Indiana) dropped his fly ball in right field. After moving to third on a ground ball, Bailey scored on a sacrifice fly by Steve Muoio (Georgia C&S).

Koontz followed with his blast to right center that easily cleared the fence 385 feet away. The home run marked the first at Basket Road Field.

Geoff Dornes (R.I.T) started the rally in the sixth with a one-out hit. Then, with the hit and run on, Muoio slapped a single into the space vacated by Geneva’s second baseman, Tommy Chase (Notre Dame). Koontz followed with a sacrifice fly scoring Dornes from third. After a wild pitch helped Muoio move to second, Matt Jacobs (UMass-Lowell) delivered with a single and a 4-2 lead.

Webster added insurance runs in the seventh. Jason Edwards (Toledo) and Thomas Kufel (Mercyhurst) chased Geneva starter, Matt Lamothe (Oakland), with back-to-back walks. Rhett Goodmiler (Central Michigan) moved the runners with a sacrifice bunt, and Bailey plated Edwards. Kufel came home when Bailey stole second, and the throw skipped into center field.

Bryant Guilmette (UMass-Lowell) worked the seventh and eighth striking out one. Tyler Scott (Toledo) struck out one in the ninth. Webster hurlers have allowed just one walk in the last 26 innings of work.  

“Everything is working right now – clutch hitting, pitching, defense, and base running,” said Brust. When referring to his team’s ability to execute the fundamentals. Brust pointed to the sacrifice bunt in the seventh by Goodmiller.

“While the relief pitcher warmed up, I talked to Rhett and gave him the choice drop the bunt or swing away.”

The catcher from Ossian, Indiana responded with a bunt on the first pitch of the at-bat.

“That play goes a long way to helping the team,” said Brust. “He gave himself up for the good of the team. We need that as the season goes on.

Bailey finished with two hits and now has 12 on the season. Koontz leads the club with 10 RBI.

Webster improves to 8-3 on the campaign.

Brockport visits Basket Road Field Tuesday night. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. Scott Brothers (Ball State) gets the ball for the home nine.  

Pickin’ Splinters