Xavier Copelan ropes a two-RBI hit in the sixth inning of Geneseo’s 7-6 win over Kendall. (Photo/ Jeff Witherow)
It was a slow start through five innings, with Geneseo surrendering a run to Kendall in the third, and three more in the fifth coming in off Blue Devils’ starting pitcher, Blake Phelps.
“It was a pretty shaky five innings,” Geneseo Coach Chuck Nesbitt said. “We didn’t look like we were going to come alive at all. We played five innings and didn’t score but had lots of guys in scoring position.”
Geneseo Senior Taylor Semmel came in as a relief pitcher in the top of the sixth and threw an easy three outs, paving the way for the team to score six runs in the bottom half of the inning.
Nesbitt said clutch hitting has been a staple of the Blue Devils’ season.
“Once again, they do what they have to do when they have to do it,” he said. “Timely hitting when we needed it .”
Kendall would close the gap in the seventh inning, after a double brought in two more runs for the Eagles. A quick bottom half of the seventh brought the tied game into an extra inning, and Geneseo outlasted Kendall, thanks to Ben Kelly bringing in the winning run.
“I think this is the sixth game we’ve won in the last inning,” Nesbitt said. “They just have a way of coming back and not quitting.”
Geneseo will take on the Red Jacket Indians, Friday, at a site to be determined.
“They’ll have to play better than that to win it all though, that’s for sure,” Nesbitt said.