The Hornell Steamers earned a 6-3 victory over the Olean Oilers to advance to the NYCBL Western Division Championship series. The Steamers will take on Dansville in a best of three series starting tomorrow (7/24).

 

Hornell got going quickly in the 1st inning. Elijah Nichols (Arkansas State) singled on the first pitch he saw and scored one batter later when Nicolas Schwing (Holmes JC) singled and the ball was misplayed in the outfield. Schwing made it 2-0 when he stole home on a double steal with Alex Dupuy (LSU Eunice). Jackson Legg (LSU Eunice) added another run with a sac fly to right to plate Dupuy.

 

From that point on, Eli Fuselier (Nunez CC) and Adam Martin put matching zeros on the board. 

 

Hornell would finally add to their lead in the 6th when Legg stole home on a steal and stop play with Braden McLin (Louisiana Christian). Finn Ellis (U of Charleston) added to the lead with a RBI single up the middle to make it 5-0.

 

Olean got on the board in the 8th when Bryce Rudisil hit a three run homer to the parking lot in right field to cut the lead to 5-3.

 

Hornell added an insurance run in the bottom of the inning on a Devin Mersmann RBI single to center to make it a three-run ballgame.

 

The Oilers sent the tying run to the plate in the 9th but Cowan Alfonso (Louisiana Christian) got the game ending groundout to complete the save.

 

Fuselier didn't allow a run in six innings of work. He gave up four hits, walked three and struck out five. Wes Carter (Webster) allowed three runs on three hits in two innings of work while Alfonso struck out one in the 9th to earn the save.

 

Ellis was the lone Steamer with multiple hits finishing 2 for 3 with a RBI.

 

Joshua Wilson was 2 for 4 while JP Pennella was 2 for 5 for Olean. Martin allowed three earned runs in seven innings of work. He walked one and struck out six.

 

Hornell will head to Dansville for game one of the Western Division Championships on Wednesday. First pitch is slated for 4:30 p.m. at Babcock Park.

 

Game 2 and Game 3 (if necessary) will shift to Maple City Park on Thursday (7/25) First pitch of Game 2 would be at 4 p.m.