YORK – The HFL Cougars ended Geneseo’s playoff run Tuesday night with an 11-6 win over the Thunder. HFL took advantage of two Geneseo errors in the seventh to put together a five-run frame that put the home side away. The Thunder, who finished the year at 14-5, had plenty of opportunities against the Cougars, but the team left eight men on base, squandering any chances for a big inning.
Geneseo knotted the game at six in the bottom of the sixth inning on an RBI double by Zack Kolodziejski, and the two teams looked as if they might be heading to extra innings, just as they did in the final game of the regular season. However, HFL’s big seventh inning left Geneseo needing a rally, and despite putting two runners on, the Thunder couldn’t come back as they had several times throughout the season.
Coach Mark Bennett said while the Thunder had shown the ability to orchestrate comebacks during the regular season, they couldn’t quite break through late in the game against HFL.
“We came back earlier in the game, and we’ve come back from four or five runs throughout the season,” he said. “With our lineup, everybody believes in each other, and it’s just one of those things that eventually (needing a comeback) is going to catch up with you. Unfortunately, it happened to be tonight when it counted more than anything else.”
Offensively, Tim Jackson drove in two runs for Geneseo, Kolodziejski finished with two hits and an RBI and Jake Duppengieser went 1 for 4 with two runs scored. Alex Yarton and Tim Layland also added two-hit games.
Despite the loss, Bennett spoke highly of the community atmosphere the team was able to build.
“In three years this program has gotten so much publicity just by way of mouth,” he said. “It’s something that’s really enjoyable, and it’s great to be able to have that experience, especially for the kids…I think our worst crowd this year was probably 15 people, and that’s because it was raining. Outside of that, we’re pushing as many as 60 people, so it’s great, and like I said, most of it’s done by word of mouth.”
Bennett also expressed thanks for the families, fans and sponsors who followed the Thunder so closely throughout their 2012 season.
“I just want to thank the parents, families and friends that come to all the games – including away games – for all their support, and the sponsors who donated to us,” he said. “I want to thank (assistant coaches) Allen Yarton and Paul Jackson for all their help. And especially my wife and my four-year-old for putting up with my long hours, games and nights away.”