The Hornell Steamers salvaged a split of Friday's doubleheader at Maple City Park, falling to the first-place Dansville Gliders 12-3 before responding with a 4-2 victory over the Genesee Rapids behind strong pitching and timely hitting.

Game 1: Dansville 12, Hornell 3

Dansville broke open a close game with a six-run seventh inning to defeat the Steamers in the opener.

The Gliders grabbed a 2-0 lead in the third on a two-run single by Derek Babineau Jr. before adding single runs in the fourth and sixth and two more in the fifth to build a 6-0 advantage. They then erupted for six runs in the final inning, highlighted by a two-run double from Luca Finton and a two-run single by Emmett McLean.

Hornell avoided the shutout with a three-run rally in the bottom of the seventh. Callum McAtee (Transylvania) delivered an RBI single before Markus Brehm (St. Bonaventure) ripped a two-run double to center, scoring McAtee and Taylor Joseph (North Park).

Brehm finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs to lead the Steamers offensively. 

Game 2: Hornell 4, Genesee 2

The Steamers answered immediately in the nightcap, using a four-run fourth inning and a dominant effort from the pitching staff to earn the split.

After three scoreless innings, Hornell capitalized on three Genesee errors to break through. Michael Duncan (North Park) reached on an error before Nolan Winthrop (Pomona Pitzer) lined a two-run single to left. Moments later, Will Parker (Pomona Pitzer) added another two-run single to center, giving the Steamers a 4-0 lead.

Genesee cut the deficit in half in the fifth with two runs, but Hornell's bullpen shut the door the rest of the way.

Starter Evan LaMothe (Johnson & Wales) set the tone with three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while striking out four. Micah Marvin (SUNY Niagara) picked up the victory in relief, and Peter Pipikios (North Park) closed out the final 2.1 innings, striking out five to earn his third save of the season. The trio combined for nine strikeouts while limiting the Rapids to five hits.

Winthrop and Parker each drove in two runs, while Greenwood collected two hits and two walks. Joseph added two hits.

The victory in game two improved the Steamers to 17-15-1 and clinched the #2 seed in the Western Division playoffs. Hornell wraps up the regular season on Saturday with a 5 p.m. game at Dansville.

The Western Division Wild Card game will be held at Maple City Park on Sunday. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m. with the Steamers battling the Rapids for a chance to take on the Dansville Gliders in the best of three Western Division finals.