Dodgers Down Nitros in Game One
Paul Welker - 8/1/2008

After surrendering a 4-0 lead the Hornell Dodgers used a five run 5th inning to take control of game one of the Western Division semifinals.  The Blue and White scored ten unanswered runs to down the Allegany County Nitros 14-4.

Hornell scored two runs in the 1st and two more in the 2nd to jump out to a 4-0 lead but the Nitros scored two in the 3rd and two in the 5th to tie the game up.

In the bottom of the 5th the Dodgers answered right back.  Adam Eggemeyer (SIU-Edwardsville) tripled and scored on a single by Adam Gray (Mercyhurst).  Gray scored on a triple by Trey Bennett (Mercyhurst).  Abe Steinbach (Emporia State) doubled home Bennett and scored on a single by Andrew Jesse (St. Joseph's).  Jose Sanchez (Delware State) hit a sacrfice fly to give the Dodgers a 9-4 lead.

Hornell added two more runs in the 6th on a RBI single by Bennett and a sac fly by Brett Lancaster (SIU-Edwardsville).

In the 8th, the Dodgers got three more runs keyed by a RBI groundout by Jesse and a RBI single by Sanchez.

Aren Cummings (SIU-Edwardsville) was stellar out of the Dodger bullpen.  He relieved Sean Toler (Missouri State) in the 5th and tossed four innings of three hit ball.  He walked one and struck out eight batters.

The Dodgers collected 15 hits with every started picking up at least a hit.  Bennett led the team with a 5 for 5 day with 2 RBI.  Eggemeyer and Jesse each finished 2 for 4 with 2 RBI.

Thomas Tolliver and Kyle Davis each collected two hits for the Nitros.

Game two of the series is set for Saturday night in Allegany County at the Scio Central School.  First pitch is set for 7 p.m. 

Game three if necessary would be played back at Maple City Park on Sunday at 7 p.m.

In the other Western Division semifinal, Brockport downed Geneva 6-1.  Amsterdam and Glens Falls picked up game one victories in the Eastern Division semifinals.