The Hornell Dodgers got timely hitting and solid pitching as they defeated the Wellsville Nitros 8-5 on Wednesday afternoon. The win improves the Dodgers to 21-22 and the Nitros fall to 20-22.

 

The Dodgers got on the board in the 3rd with a pair of clutch two out hits. Adam Fitzgibbon (Saginaw Valley) had a RBI single and Connor Brandon (Concordia Chicago) followed with a two-run single.

 

In the 6th, Tanner Klein (Mansfield) made it 4-0 when he collected a RBI double to left. The Nitros cut the lead in half in the bottom half of the inning when Michael Mcnicholl collected a two-out 2-RBI single.

 

The game remained 4-2 until the 9th. The Dodgers loaded the bases and Tyler Burns (Trevecca Nazarene) drove in a run with a sac fly and Brandon followed one out later by driving a long three-run homer to center to up the Hornell lead to 8-2.

 

The Nitros rallied in the 9th with a 2-RBI single by Harry Montero and a RBI single by Brian Wasilewski to cut it to 8-5. With the tying run at the plate, Jake Miller (Lackawanna) got the final out to secure the victory.

 

Jack Trotman (St. John Fisher) was 4 for 5 for the Dodgers while Brandon was 3 for 5 with 5 RBI. Brandon now has a team high five homers on the season.

 

Chance Murphy (USC Salkehatchie) tossed six solid innings to earn the victory. He allowed six hits, two earned runs, and four waks while striking out six. Victor Paiva (Dean) tossed 2.2 innings and Miller recorded the save by getting the final out.

 

Montero was the lone Nitro with multiple hits. He finished 3 for 5 with 2 RBI.

 

 

With the victory the Dodgers jump into 2nd place in the NYCBL Western Division standings. Hornell is 1/2 game ahead of the Nitros with three games remaining. The Nitros have four games left in their regular season.

 

After an off day on Thursday the Dodgers will begin their final weekend of the season. On Friday they host Wellsville (7 p.m.), travel to Olean on Saturday (7 p.m.), and wrap up the season vs. Wellsville on Sunday (7 p.m.).