BATAVIA, NY – The Genesee Community College baseball team trailed in both games of a doubleheader on Tuesday as they hosted Onondaga Community College. And, in both games, the host Cougars stormed back to win in convincing fashion, 17-9 and 7-2. GCC is now 23-14 on the season and 11-6 in the Division III West standings. GCC is in the fourth and final playoff position, trailing Erie CC (13-5) and ahead of Tompkins Cortland CC (8-9).
The story of the day was GCC center fielder Eliel Martinez who belted three home runs including a grand slam. In the first game, Martinez went 5-for-5 with two homes runs, two doubles, 8 RBI's and scored four times. In the second game, he struck out in the first inning then hit a two-run blast. "The first two home runs were on fastballs," said Martinez, a freshman from Puerto Rico. "Then I saw more changeups and breaking balls. So, I got out ahead of the breaking ball before it could reach the plate and put a solid swing on it for the third home run."
In the first game, GCC trailed, 8-5 and came back to win. Zach Zinck (Nova Scotia) picked up the win in relief, throwing 3.2 innings striking out eight and not allowing an earned run. Parker Cole (Bolivar-Richburg) had the start and struck out four in 2.1 innings. Anthony Kanaval (Dansville) tossed a perfect seventh with one strikeout. At the plate, Elizam De Jesus had two doubles 4 RBI's and scored twice and John Faynor (Henrietta/Lima Christian) had two hits and scored twice. Deion Rosalia had three hits including a double, Jordi Agosto (East) was 3-for 3 with two RBI's and a stolen base and Briann Castillo (RBI) and Bryant Fontanez singled.
In the second game, Jakob MacLeod (Toronto) picked up the win throwing five innings with five strikeouts and gave up one earned run. Tyler Prospero (Batavia Notre Dame) threw a scoreless inning with two strikeouts.
"These were two games we had to win. Our hitters had great at-bats today and the pitching staff settled in and got ahead of hitters which made it easier for them and our defense," said Genesee head coach Skip Sherman. "We have a lot of respect for the OCC coaches and the program, so we were pleased to earn the wins.
At the plate, Faynor had two hits and stole a base, MacLeod helped his cause with two hits, two runs, and a stolen base, DeJesus doubled, Rosalia had two hits and a double, Rodolfo Rodriguez had an RBI double and Fontanez had an RBI double and scored.
"It was also a nice way to send our sophomores out on their last home game," Sherman added. Each player had a rose and a GCC knit hat to present to a professor or staff member who made a difference during their time as a student-athlete at Genesee.
Genesee is right back on the field Wednesday as they travel to SUNY Broome. First pitch from Binghamton is scheduled for 2 pm.
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