Geneseo tops Holley in Section V Class C state qualifier contest

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Holley catcher Josh Porter puts the tag on Geneseo’s Ryan LaGrou during the Hawks Section V Class C state qualifier loss to the Blue Devils this afternoon at Genesee Community College.

Ten stranded base runners and five errors proved to be a costly combination as Holley dropped a 6-3 decision to Geneseo in the Section V Class C state qualifier game this afternoon at Genesee Community College.

Geneseo jumped out to a lightning quick lead in the top of the first inning on a two-run homer by Brian Linton.

However, Holley quickly pulled even at 2-2 in the top of the second on a run producing sacrifice fly by Ronnie DeWaal and an RBI single by Patrick Bower. A walk and a single by Nick Passarell set up that threat.

Looking to keep the momentum, Holley got the first two runners aboard in the third inning on singles by Josh Porter and Joe DeFelice but the Hawks couldn’t capitalize as the runners were left stranded at second and third setting an ominous tone for the afternoon.

Holley did grab its only lead at 3-2 by scoring once with two out in the top of the fourth on an error and an RBI single by Jon Bower.

Geneseo’s Ryan LaGrou dives back to first as Holley first baseman Dylan Hillabush takes the throw.

Geneseo though answered right back with three big runs in the home half of the fourth to regain the lead for good at 5-3.

After getting the leadoff runner to third on a three base error, the Blue Devils tied the game on an RBI single by Ryan LaGrou and then took the lead on a two out two-run single by Trevor Frazier.

The Holley defense though did prevent even more damage in the inning by getting an out at home on a throw from first baseman Dylan Hillabush to catcher Josh Porter as the Blue Devils attempt at a double steal misfired.

Looking to get back in the game Holley got two runners aboard in the fifth on back-to-back singles by Lucas Silvis and Hillbush. However, both runners again were left stranded as two infield pop outs quickly ended the threat.

Geneseo capitalized on a single and an error to up the lead to 6-3 in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI triple by Sam Johnson.

Holley’s Ronnie DeWaal drives in a run with a sacrifice fly in the second inning.

Holley missed a golden opportunity to get back in the game in the top of the sixth as the Hawks loaded the bases with just one out on a walk, a single by Jon Bower and another walk.

However, once again the Hawks were unable to capitalize as Geneseo relief hurler Jameson Moran, who came on in the sixth, registered two clutch strikeouts to quickly end the threat.

It proved to be Holley’s last comeback chance as Moran then put the Hawks down in order in the seventh on a strikeout, an infield pop out and a grounder back to the mound advancing Geneseo to Saturday’s Class C Far West Regional contest against Section VI champion Holland.

Holley, which finishes the season at 18-5, advanced to the state qualifier by defeating East Rochester 6-2 for the Class C title last Friday, the Hawks first sectional championship since 2009.  Geneseo advanced by downing Bolivar-Richburg 8-6 for the Class CC title.

The contest was shifted to GCC this afternoon because of wet grounds at the orginal site, Dwyer Stadium.

Jon Bower delivers a pitch for Holley.