Power come up short in road loss to Rochester

Niagara’s baseball team dodged the raindrops on Saturday evening during their trip to Rochester, but could not avoid their second consecutive loss. This was due in large part to the starting pitcher/designated hitter for the AIA team on the night, Joel Belk. The right-hander pitched seven strong innings, allowing only four Niagara hits and one unearned run. Belk also contributed at the plate with a single and a run scored in the 5th inning.

The Power fell to (2-2) on the season (1-2 in the NYCBL Standings) in spite of some fine defensive play by a number of its starters. The standout plays included an unassisted double play by first-basemen Chane Lynch, and a diving stop backing up a play at first by catcher Frank Polino. Head Coach Garret Shivley noted how fortunate the team is to have solid defenders located at virtually every position. 

Starter Jonathan Knapp looked to be cruising after facing the minimum through the first two innings. He was staked to a 1-0 lead in the 2nd after a one out triple by Adam Taylor was cashed in on a passed ball with Lynch at the plate. Taylor remained in the zone with a 3-3 night, including a walk and two runs scored. 

Rochester would use three textbook bunts in the bottom of the 3rd to tie the game, the home team never trailed again. The inning began with a bunt single. A perfect sacrifice moved the runner, Frank Dreslinkski, who had stolen second, around the third. Dreslinski would score on the ensuing squeeze play initiated by Jonathan Burkhart the left-fielder. The Athletes in Action team delivered three more runs in the 4th alongside two in the 5th for a 6-3 victory.   

Taylor’s triple was one of only two extra base hits on the night for the Power, though Seth Eller had a solid single into the right-center field gap which also scored Taylor in the two-run 8th inning. Niagara showed signs of life in the frame after the exit of the starter Belk, but were shut down in a one-two-three ninth inning by Rochester closer Hunter Stevens to stem the comeback attempt.

The Power will have a day off Sunday before continuing the slate of road games with three more contests away from Sal Maglie Stadium to begin the week. They return home Thursday night for a 7pm first pitch against division foe Olean.