Article copied from Jamestown Post Journal (http://www.post-journal.com/sports/local-sports/2018/04/day-in-the-park/)
Jamestown Community College played well-rounded baseball at times, but ultimately it was the little things that cost the Jayhawks a chance to pick up a pair of NJCAA Region 3 Division III baseball wins at Diethrick Park on Friday.
Jamestown CC now sits at 2-6 overall and even at 2-2 in regional play after Genesee CC (8-9, 2-0) grabbed a 4-3 win in the opener and was able to fend off a late surge by the hosts for a 10-8 finish in the nightcap of a doubleheader.
After watching his team keep things close in Game 1, and seeing his offense send home six runs in the final two innings of Game 2, Jayhawks coach Matt Cummings knows that there is plenty to build on moving forward.
"After the game we were just talking about being more mentally tough," said Cummings. "After losing a tough game in Game 1, we came out in Game 2 a little flat. We came alive halfway through Game 2, and we just need to do a better job of bringing that same fire and passion to the start of Game 2. Thankfully, my guys do not give up no matter what the score is, so it was good to see a little life in them towards the end of Game 2. But we are capable of playing two complete baseball games."
One key to keeping things close in the opener was the tandem performance of pitchers David Baxter and Steve Krystofiak. After relinquishing a single in the first inning, Baxter fanned Nate Darwin to end the second 1-2-3 in quick succession.
The Jayhawks then took a 1-0 lead in the third after Robert Herrera was able to get on the board after reaching first on an error, stealing second and ultimately being sent home on a fielder's choice.
The freshman would go on to extend that margin to 2-0 in the fifth, smacking a double to left field that scored Chris Williams.
Baxter would make his way through five innings and one out of the fifth, fanning five and walking none before getting into trouble in the sixth as Peter Bradford cracked a triple on a deep ball to center.
Bradford was sent home on an RBI from Shannon Folkes, and that was followed by a fielder's choice that scored another run to make it 2-2.
With the game sitting even, Baxter was relieved by Krystofiak.
"Having Krystofiak come out of the bullpen with one out and the bases loaded is a tough spot for anybody," said Cummings. "David Baxter threw very well for us. He threw well through about five and a third innings for us today. He did what he was supposed to do, put up zeros for us. As a pitcher that's what his job is."
The decisive two runs of Game 1 would come off a two-RBI single from Deion Rosalia, while Jamestown CC would do its best to close the gap with a sacrifice fly that scored Ryan Johnson in the bottom of the sixth.
Zachery Zinck would carry the Cougars through five innings of the opener, striking out eight and walking three.
After falling into a hole, the Jayhawks struggled to come out the gates into Game 2 with much momentum, relinquishing three runs in the third, two in the fourth, two in the fifth and a final two in the third.
It was an RBI single from Byrd and some fielding errors by the Cougars that ultimately got the Jayhawks on the board with a pair of runs in the third, but that effort was undone by more offense from Genesee CC.
Folkes sent a pair home with double in the fourth before L'Shandry Kirindongo belted a two-run shot in the top of the fifth to make it 7-2.
"Ryan Johnson threw well for us for about three innings. Our bullpen guys need to do a better job of when they come in to stop the bleeding, if you will. That will come with more game experience for some of these freshmen that threw out of the bullpen in Game 2," said Cummings.
While it would have been easy to fall into downward spiral after the Cougars ramped up their offense, Jamestown CC refused to quit, firing back with an RBI single from Kobe DeJesus and a two-RBI shot up the middle by Carlo Rodriguez to highlight the comeback attempt.
Helping the momentum swing was freshman hurler Jacob Morgan, who relieved Johnson after he struck out five in four innings of work.
"That speaks volumes to the kids and their work ethic and how much they care for each other. We had some late substitutions in Game 2. … Nelson Rivera sat the whole day and came in in a tough spot being cold and he worked an RBI walk for us, so that was huge," said Cummings.
Colin Noeth would earn the win in Game 2 after three strikeouts and five walks for the Cougars.
FIRST GAME
Genesee CC 000 004 0–4 4 1
Jamestown CC 001 011 0–6 3 4
Zinck, Fontanez (6), Libert (6) and Noeth, Darwin. Baxter, Krystofiak (6) and Herrera. SO–Zinck 8, Libert 1, Baxter 5, Krystofiak 1. BB–Zinck 3, Libert 1. W–Fontanez. L–Baxter. 2B–Hererra. 3B–Bradford.
SECOND GAME
Genesee CC 003 223 0–16 10 4
Jamestown CC 002 004 2–8 8 3
Noeth, Libert (7) and Jurado. Johnson, Morgan (5), Blair (6) and Herrera. SO–Noeth 3, Johnson 5, Blair 1. BB–Noeth 5, Libert 1, Morgan 1. W–Noeth. L–Johnson. 2B–Macleod, Baly 2. HR–Krindongo.