Webster moves on to the playoffs

HORNELL, N.Y. -By the time Dave Brust’s Webster Yankees took the field Thursday night their playoff schedule was already written. With nothing to gain and nothing to lose, the Yankees could have fallen prey to complacency.

Complacency would have to find another nest to roost in.

Monte Marrocco paced a 14-hit attack and Kyle Raleigh (Ball State) gave up two runs over six and two-thirds innings, as the Webster Yankees downed the Hornell Dodgers 8-2 in New York Collegiate Baseball League action at Maple City Park.

Johnny Brill (Rollins) lashed a two-out bases-loaded single to left, and Webster grabbed a 4-0 lead in the fourth. Bryan Deuel (U Mass-Lowell) and Monte Marrocco (U Mass-Lowell) came around to score on the play.  Corey Goeggleman (Waynesburg St.) plated Blake Beemer (Ball State) with an infield single in the frame.

Webster added two more in the fifth. After reaching on fielder’s choice, Beemer stole second and came home on a two-out single by Evan Wexler (Niagara). Deuel followed with a walk and Marrocco gave the pinstripes a commanding lead with a single to center scoring Wexler.

The home nine added runs in the sixth and eighth. Tyler Grogg (Toledo) had a hand in both. In the sixth, Grogg led with a single and moved to second when Matt Boulter (So. New Hampshire) was hit by a pitch.  Grogg stole third and came home on a wild pitch. In the ninth, Grogg’s single plated Marocco from second.

Webster opened the scoring in the first. Grogg reached on an error, stole second and came home on a single by Chase Grissom (UNC Pembroke). Grogg finished with three hits, three stolen bases, two runs scored and an RBI.  He improved his stolen base total to 16 to break the franchise mark previously set by Shawn Bailey.

Raleigh allowed just five hits while allowing just one earned run. The native of Cincinnati, Ohio struck out three for his second win of the season.

“We played like it was the playoffs,” said Brust. “Every game means something, and you should play like it is important.”

Michael Sandman (Ball State) worked two and two-thirds of shutout ball. He struck out two and allowed no hits.

With the loss, Hornell falls from playoff contention. After starting the season 12-4, the Dodgers were victimized by a rash of injuries and went 7-18 since the June 26th. Chris Ebright guided Hornell to the NYCBL finals last season.

Webster improves to 22-19 on the campaign and advances to the playoffs. G.C. Yerry (Stony Brook) will get the ball when the Yankees travel to Scio tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. as the best-of-three series with the Allegany County Nitros begins.