Kendall outlasts rival Holley in 9

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Kendall shortstop Mookie Nauden dives to take a throw as Holley runner Zach Vaccarelli heads into second. The action took place during the Eagles nine inning win over the host Hawks this afternoon in the semifinals of the Holley Tournament which was also a Genesee Region League game.

In a classic rivalry showdown, Kendall outlasted host Holley 8-7 in nine innings this afternoon in a Genesee Region League game that was also a semifinal of the Hawks Tournament.

Kendall scored the game winner in the top of the ninth on an RBI bunt by Colt Breslawski after a lead-off single by Garrett Love, an error and an intentional walk had loaded the bases.

The Eagles then survived a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the ninth to claim the narrow victory in the three and a half hour long marathon.

Holley got the bases loaded with two out in the bottom of the ninth on a single by Josh Porter, a hit batter and a walk.
However, Kendall got out of the jam as Alex Sutphen, who pitched the first four innings, came back to the mound in the ninth and got the final out with a strikeout.

Before coming back onto the mound, Sutphen also made a nice throw from centerfield to shortstop Mookie Nauden to get Nick Passarell, who tried to stretch a single into a double, at second base for the second out of the ninth.

“It was an intense game,” said Kendall Coach Tige Noni.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Holley’s Justin Parker dives toward home plate as Kendall catcher Richie Swift moves in to try and make the tag.

Sutphen finished with four hits as Nauden, David Hardenbrook and Love two each.

Passarell and Justin Parker both had three hits for Holley as Porter, Zach Vaccarelli and Joe DeFellice each had two.

Kendall got off to a fast start grabbing a 5-0 lead in the first two innings.

Cody Spellan singled in two runs in the first inning which was ignited by a lead-off double by Nauden. A lead-off triple by Hardenbrook then sparked a three-run second inning which included RBI singles by Zach Vogt and Sutpehen.

Holley though battled back to knot the contest at 5-5 by scoring twice in the third on an error, after a single by Passarell and two walks had loaded the bases, and then three times in the fourth on a two-run single by Porter and an RBI single by Weaver.

The contest remained deadlocked at 5-5 until the eighth inning though both teams threatened in both the sixth and seventh frames.

DeFelice, who came on in relief for Holley in the second inning to halt Kendall’s uprising, kept the Eagles off the scoreboard until the eighth on three scattered hits.

Kendall left runners stranding at first and third in both the sixth and seventh innings while Holley stranded runners at first and second in the seventh after having a double play, triggered by Nauden, quickly end a sixth inning threat.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Kendall’s Zach Vogt slides into home as Holley pitcher Joe DeFelice who was covering home goes high to grab the throw.

Kendall finally moved back on top at 7-5 in the top of the eighth on RBI singles by Nauden and Sutphen.

Holley though answered right back with a pair of runs in the home half of the frame to quickly reknot the contest at 7-7 as Parker and Sam Lammes had key hits. A single by DeFelice, an error and a walk loaded the bases to set up the opportunity.

Kendall though needed a great throw from left fielder David Hardenbrook to catcher Richie Swift to get the third out at home to keep the game going.

“That was a huge play for us,” said Noni. “That put the momentum in our favor.”

The sea-saw battle continued in the top of the ninth as Breslawski’s key bases loaded RBI bunt plated what proved to be the game winner.

Sutphen then helped to preserve the Eagles win in the bottom of the ninth with key plays first in centerfield and then on the mound.

“I’m proud of my team, they didn’t let up,” said Noni.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Kendall’s Alex Sutphen dives into second base as Holley shortstop Josh Porter awaits the throw.

Championship Game

Geneseo 13, Kendall 2
Geneseo used four run scoring bursts in both the first and second innings to key a 13-2 victory over Kendall in the championship game.

Kendall, which had only four hits, scored its only two runs in the first inning on a double by Swift and a single by Love.

Consolation Game

Holley 9, Warsaw 0
Porter pitched a one hit shutout with 16 strikeouts to lead Holley past Warsaw 9-0 for third place honors.

Porter, Brandon Weaver and Luke Silvis each had two hits for Holley which broke away from a close 2-0 game with five runs in the fifth inning.