Nationals romp in tourney opener
The Niagara Nationals romped to a 16-1 victory over the Rochester Cougars Thursday evening in the opening round of the Lancer Classic Tournament at Lewiston.
Trailing 1-0 after leaving the bases loaded in the first inning, the Nationals took the lead for good by scoring five times in the second on a two-run double by Sam Murphy, an RBI single by Joe Dell’oso and a two-run single by Brian Fry. A walk and a double by Chris Goyette ignited that uprising which also included a double by Matt Lyskawa.
The Nationals then put a lock on the victory by exploding for 11 runs in the third inning as 14 batters came to the plate. Goyette, Murphy, Hunter Briggs, Dell’oso, Fry and Nate Sherman all banged out singles and Mitchell Holtz and Dominic Cassata both doubled in the marathon frame.
Lyskawa pitched the three innings of the mercy rule contest giving up 3 hits and striking out 2 on only 33 pitches.
The Nationals next face the Pittsford Panthers at noon today in the tourney which will conclude on Sunday.
