Nationals open Darien Tourney with 3 wins

The Niagara Nationals are off to a 3-0 start at the Darien Lakes Tournament this weekend.

The Nationals romped past the Rochester Cougars 16-2 on Friday evening and then downed the Rush-Henrietta Renegades 13-1 and the Kitchener, Ontario Panthers 5-2 today.

Joe Dell’oso and Chris Goyette both had 3 hits for the Nationals against the Cougars as Korey Canton, Dave Belsito and Mitchell Holtz each chipped in with 2. Canton’s hits included a triple and Belsito’s 2 doubles as Dell’oso and Nate Sherman also both had a double.

Belsito drove in a total of 4 runs, Goyette 3 and Dell’oso 2.

The Nationals tallied 6 times in both the second and fifth innings to key the win.

Belsito then had 3 hits, including a double and triple, against the Renegades as Sherman, Holtz and Sam Murphy each had a pair of base raps.

The Nationals put this one away early scoring 6 times in both the second and third innings.

On the mound, Holtz allowed 3 hits and struck out 3 in 5 innings of work.

Breaking away from a 2-2 deadlock, the Nationals claimed the win over the Panthers by scoring 3 times in the sixth inning on a triple by Dell’oso, doubles by Liam Ward and Sherman and a sacrifice by Goyette.

Trevor Luthart also had a double in the game for the Nationals.

Harper pitched 6 innings allowing 5 hits and striking out 5.

The tournament concludes on Sunday.