Webster opens playoffs with a win

SCIO, N.Y. – Four years have passed since the Webster Yankees appeared in the NYCBL post-season. Dave Brust’s Webster Yankees showed no signs of rust.

G.C. Yerry (Stony Brook) outdueled the league’s top pitcher, and Tyler Grogg (Toledo) paced the pinstripe attack as Webster defeated the Allegany County Nitros 4-2 to take a 1-0 lead in the New York Collegiate Baseball League West Division semi-finals.

Grogg slapped a two-out, bases-loaded single in the ninth plating Ollie Bertrand (Flagler) and Monte Marrocco (U Mass-Lowell). Bertrand led the ninth with a single up the middle and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt Cory Goeggleman (Waynesburg State). Marrocco chased Nitro starter, Isaac Hicks (Nova Southeastern) with a base hit to right. He moved to second on a throw to the plate. Matt Francis (U of R) received an intentional pass to load the bases.

Yerry matched Hicks surrendering just one earned run through eight innings. The southpaw threw 81 pitches (62 for strikes) striking out two and walking none.

“The key statistic there is the no walks,” said Brust. “When G.C. is throwing strikes, he is tough to beat.”

After allowing two runs in the first, Yerry settled down and retired 18 of the next 20 batters he faced.

Tim Johnson (St. John Fisher) worked a scoreless ninth for the save. Johnson struck two of the batters he faced.

Webster tied the game at two with a pair of runs in the third. Francis reached first when his ground ball was mishandled in the infield. With two outs Grogg singled, and Francis moved to third. Grogg stole second, and Matt Delewski (Toledo) delivered with a base rap to center.

From there the two teams locked horns in a defensive battle.

“Our defense has kept us in games all year,” Brust commented. We make the plays in the field and give our offense a chance to get going.”

Wes Winkle (Ball State) turned in a stellar play in the left field robbing Allegany’s Sam McGill (Ouachita Baptist) of extra bases when he made a back-to the-plate grab in front of the fence.

Talking about Winkle’s instincts and his jump on the ball, Brust said: “Did you see that? He just knew and got moving with contact.”

Grogg finished 3-5 with two RBI, two stolen bases and a run scored. Francis went 2-3  with a walk, stolen base and a run scored.

Hicks entered the game with an ERA of 1.38 in 52 innings of work. He shut out the Yankees on Opening Night and held the home nine to one earned run July 18th.

The series resumes in Webster on Saturday. Jared Locke (Toledo) gets the ball with a chance to send Webster to the division finals. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Basket Road Field. Out-of-town fans can listen to the game on TEAMLINE radio – your internet source for New York Collegiate Baseball League action.