HORNELL– The Geneseo baseball team saw their run of twenty straight victories halted by Reston Petit and the Bolivar-Richburg Wolverines Friday night in a 1-0 loss. The senior right-hander had a no-hitter cooking until a Sam Johnson opposite field single would get Geneseo started offensively in the sixth inning. That was pretty much how the night went for the Blue Devils.
Bolivar-Richburg was able to muster up six hits on Geneseo ace Blake Phelps, however just neither offense was ever able to capitalize on any offensive opportunity. Geneseo on the other hand had just two hits and had two runners thrown out while attempting to steal second base. A pitcher’s duel it was. Phelps went the distance allowing the one run on six hits, throwing eight strikeouts while walking just two batters all night. Petit was equally as brilliant, striking out eleven, allowing two hits and walking two batters, in his complete game, shutout performance.
“This is what happens when you run into a buzz-saw pitcher.” Said head coach Nick Drollette after the loss. “I think our guys know that they played a team that deserved to win. We just couldn’t get our bats going tonight.” The lone Blue Devils runner to reach past second base was Ryan LaGrou, who reached third base in the first inning, however was stranded.
The Blue Devils graduate four seniors from this year’s squad as the core of the squad will return next season, including nearly the entire pitching staff
“I’ve had those guys for a combined ten seasons, and even six sectional titles through soccer and baseball. This is a great group of seniors. Just a great group, and I’m going to miss them.” Drollette said, as a bit of emotion came over him.
“Now we just prepare for next season and keep the tradition going.”
Blake Phelps reflects after grounding out to end the Sectional Finals. Bolivar-Richburg celebrates in the background.