Baseball Drops Two on Opening Day

Finally, the Red Barons baseball team was able to get outside and play a game.  The downfall was that they were facing a Jamestown CC squad that had already played 12-games. 

Game one went to JCC 4-6 despite a great first outing for Corning.  The lack of facing live game situation hitting didn't seem to phase CCC as they struck first in the bottom of the 1st inning to take the 1-0 lead.  JCC struck for 3 runs in the 3rd and another 2 in the 4th inning to go ahead 5-1.  Corning closed the gap by putting 3 runs of their own across the plate in the 6th, but that was as close as they would get.  Zack LeBarron was 2 for 3 while LeBarron and Jared Cosgrove each picked up an RBI.  Pitcher Jeremy Brenning had a solid opener as he went 5-innings with 8 strikeouts, 4 walks and allowed only one earned run.  Mike Woolridge pitched 2 innings of relief with 2 strikeouts, 2 walks and one earned run. 

Game two looked to be a JCC run-a-way from the beginning as the Hawks jumped out to 9-0 lead by the middle of the 4th inning.  The Red Barons answered with 5 in the 5th inning while the Corning defense and pitching shut-down the JCC offense for the rest of the game.  Corning had the tying run on base with two out in the bottom of the 7th before a line drive to centerfield ended the comeback hopes.  Corning had three multiple hitters lead by Kevin Childs who went 2 for 2 with 2 RBI's.  LeBarron stayed hot going 2 for 3 with a double and Cody Whitmer went 2 for 3.  Cosgrove doubled and added 2 RBI's and Kurtis Ludden also drove in a run.  Patrick Fero was the game two starter.  He recorded 4 strikeouts and allowed 2 walks while Cosgrove struck out two and allowed one earned run in middle relief.  Austin Hill threw one-inning without allowing an earned run. 

After a great opening day effort, the Barons are up next on Saturday as they play Houghton College JV's and then host MSAC Conference rival Broome CC in a doubleheader on Tuesday, April 9 at Tuller Field with the first pitch scheduled for 2pm.