Bertrand and Webster show Elmira a new frontier

WEBSTER, N.Y. – Elmira’s Pioneers came to “The Basket” Wednesday night with a firm grasp on second place in the NYCBL’s West Division. The Pios left Webster with an adjusted perspective on what is sure to be a wild, wild ride in the west for the remainder of the summer.

On a hot, humid evening Ollie Bertrand (Flagler) and Wes Winkle (Ball State) paced the offense while Jason Gardner (Tusculum) turned in a strong performance on the mound as Webster pounded Elmira 12-1 in New York Collegiate Baseball League action at Basket Road Field.

Webster grabbed the lead in the second when Bertrand’s double into right center plated Matt Francis (U of R) and Blake Beemer (Ball State). Francis singled to open the frame and Beemer followed with a walk. After Matt Boulter (So. New Hamp) moved the duo into scoring position with a well-executed sacrifice bunt, Bertrand gave the pinstripes all the runs they would need.

But the home nine did not stop there.

Webster pasted another pair of runs on the board in the third. Again, Bertrand played a role. Chase Grissom (UNC Pembroke) worked a one-out walk. Francis reached on an error, and Beemer walked for the second time in as many innings. Boulter’s ground ball to the right side of the infield was mishandled and everyone moved up a base. Bertrand brought home Francis with a ground ball to first base.

After scoring a run in the fourth, Webster put the game out of reach with seven runs in the seventh. Beemer, Boulter and Bertrand strung together a trio of base hits. Tyler Grogg (Toledo) was hit by a pitch, and Winkle singled to right field. Two more hit bats men and a single by Francis, and Boulter’s second hit of the inning did the damage.

Gardner struck out two and walked two over five shutout innings.  The right-hander induced eight ground ball outs in the five stanzas of work.

Pat Corrigan (Mercyhurst) came on and worked three shutout innings.

“Our speed causes problems for other teams,” said Head Coach Dave Brust. “You saw that tonight. On the base paths, we force teams to play quicker than they want. On defense, we turn sure base hits into routine outs. That’s what speed can do.”

Winkle rapped three base hits, scored twice, drove in a run and swiped two bags on the evening. The left fielder joins Grogg and Francis with the team lead at seven. As a team, the Yankees have stolen more bases than opponents have attempted. Webster is 35-43 in the stolen base column while opponents are 24-34.

“I can’t say enough about what Wes has done this week,” said Brust. “That play he made the other night in Hornell was the best play I have ever seen in this league.

Tuesday night, Winkle, with the help of Boulter, turned an unconventional triple play. The outfielder dove and robbed Hornell of a hit and then recovered in time to deliver a stike to second where Boulter completed the play.

Bertrand finished with two hits, a walk, a run scored and four RBI. The native of Saint-Adele, Quebec leads Webster with 12. His 14 hits have generated 11 RBI and he has scored 12 runs.

As a result of Thursday night’s events, only a game and a half separates the top five teams in the NYCBL’s West Division. Alfred, Allegany County and Webster sit in third deadlocked with identical records of 13-11. At 14-10, Elmira sits a half game behind Elmira.

After an off day, Webster hosts Allegany County on Saturday. The Nitros come to “The Basket” for a 4 p.m. first pitch. Bryant Guilmette takes the ball for the pinstripes.