Playing in rainy conditions all evening, the Hornell Dodgers defeated the Olean Oilers 19-6 in a contest that was stopped in the 7th inning. 

 

After the Oilers stranded the bases loaded in the 1st, the Dodgers took the lead just two batters into the game. Nate Tholl (Webster) stayed hot with a leadoff single. After a wild pitch, Joey Faudskar (Wilamette) singled and Tholl came around to score after a fielding error.

 

Olean tied it in the 2nd, Ryan Simmons doubled and scored when the throw on a steal attempt of third snuck into left field.

 

In the 3rd the Dodgers took back the lead with three runs. Ted Leathersich (UMass Lowell) singled home a run, Kyler Kent (Webster) scored on an error, and Colin Johnson (Alfred State) followed with a RBI double.

 

The Dodgers continued to add to their lead in the 4th tacking on four more runs. Matt Staker (Webster) had a RBI ground out before Tholl, Kent, and Leathersich followed with RBI single. 

 

Olean hit a pair of homers in the 5th to cut the lead to 8-4. Kevin Higgins hit a solo homer and Matthew Grace followed with a two-run shot.

 

The Dodgers added on three of their own runs in the bottom of the 5th after a fielding error extended the inning. Faudskar had a two-run single and Kent collected his second RBI single of the night.

 

Brian Tagoe tripled and scored on a RBI single by Jimmy Webb in the 6th and Michael Beimel delivered a RBI double in the 7th to cut the lead to 11-6.

 

The Dodgers put the game out of reach in the bottom of the 7th. Hornell sent 11 batters to the plate and scored eight runs before the game was called due to dangerous field conditions. Matt Fauth (Concordia Chicago) had a RBI double and Faudskar drove in two with a single in the inning that featured seven walks.

 

Matt Dessena (St. John Fisher) was awarded the win on the mound for the Dodgers after pitching 1.1 innings allowing only three hits. Brody Burdett (Alfred State) also had a good 3.2 innings on the mound only giving up one unearned run.

 

Leathersich was 3 for 4 and with 2 RBIs while Faudskar was 3 for 5 with 4 RBI. Tholl, Kent, Laurie, and Fauth all collected two hits.

 

The Dodgers are back in Maple City Park for the final time in 2018 to take on the Wellsville Nitros. First pitch is at 5 p.m. Prior to the game the organization will honor their host families.