The Hornell Dodgers defeated the Genesee Rapids by a score of 6-3 to win the Western Division crown and advance to the NYCBL Championship.

Tonight’s game was a win or go home situation as the best of three series was tied 1-1. Keaton Conner (Concordia-Chicago) was the starting pitcher for the Blue and White and was absolutely dominant throwing 8 innings scattering only three hits and one earned run. He also struck out nine total batters while only allowing two walks. Jared Kapturasky (Mercyhurst) would pitch the ninth and shut the door not allowing a hit while striking out two and earning the save.

The Dodgers would jump out to the early lead when Ethan Harrison (Trevecca Nazarene) scored from second on an error from both the pitcher and center fielder to take the 1-0 lead after one inning.

Kapturasky stepped into the batter’s box in the 3^rd and hit a sacrifice fly to left field to plate Andrew McCoy (Benedict). Connor Bailey (Willamette) would then hit a double to score Harrison and take the 3-0 lead.

After the Rapids got on the scoreboard in the 4^th Michael Young (UMASS Lowell) would answer in the 5^th with a solo blast to right field to push the Dodger lead to 4-1. Genesee would score one in the 6^th and the Blue and White responded once again when Chris Cerniglia (Nichols) hit a sacrifice fly in foul territory which resulted in Jack Brett (Willamette) racing home and scoring to take the 5-2 lead.

Hornell would add an insurance run in the 8^th after Sam Mang (Trevecca Nazarene) singled to score Cerniglia. The Rapids would not go down without a fight as they scored one in the 9^th and had the tying run at the plate when Mang would get the final out on a pop up in foul territory.

Eight of the nine starters recorded a hit on the night as Harrison and Mang led the charge with 2 apiece. Andrew McCoy (Benedict) walked two times on the night and also stole two bases.

The Dodgers had a great crowd tonight including the President of fellow West Division member Wellsville, which helped fuel Hornell throughout the entire game.

Hornell will now await the winner of tomorrow’s Eastern Division Championship between the Syracuse Salt Cats and Syracuse Spartans. The Dodgers will travel Saturday to take on the winner in the first game of the Championship with first pitch at 5:30 p.m.