BEN KELLY STRUCK OUT 15 BATTERS IN A 4-0 WIN (PHOTO/ CHRIS GRAHAM)
That sentiment was true again today, as Kelly tossed a complete game shutout and helped pace a 4-0 win for the Blue Devils over the Dansville Mustangs.
While working through the seven innings, Kelly allowed four hits, three of which came in the final inning to load the bases, and only issued one free pass. He also notched 15 strikeouts. Head coach Chuck Nesbitt praised Kelly’s effort.
“Ben (Kelly) was good today,” Nesbitt said. “It wasn’t as good as he’s ever been and he didn’t have as much pop as he’s ever had, but still they got all their hits in the last inning. He had a ton of strikeouts and only one walk. They didn’t threaten to the last inning, so we felt we were pretty much in control of this one, even when they got the bases loaded in the last inning.”
Kelly also believed he had a strong outing.
“I tried to keep everything rolling and keep the same mindset; definitely got some help out there with nice plays and Cory’s (Valentine) doing a great job behind the plate,” Kelly said.
Even with his stretch of hitless innings, the Mustangs’ rally of loading the bases didn’t faze the senior right-hander.
“They have some good hitters in their line-up for sure, I left a couple of pitches over the plate and those hitters in the middle of their line-up are going to put them in play and they found some holes, but I was able to battle back,” he said.
In addition to Kelly’s strong start, the Blue Devils’ offense relied heavily on the top of the order. Senior left-fielder Tony Belfiore went 2-4, scoring two runs and sophomore catcher Cory Valentine pitched in with a pair of RBI doubles. Nesbitt believes these two, along with Kelly, who hits third, get the offense rolling.
“They’ve been consistently hitting the ball in the right times,” Nesbitt said. “We need to get more production out of the other half of the line-up. We’ve got to get production 1-9 and we didn’t get that today.”
Geneseo (8-1) takes to the road tomorrow against Hornell. Game is slated for a 4:30 start.