By Rob Potter
MOUNTAINDALE — April 7, 2006 – One inning hurt the Sullivan County Community College Generals in Wednesday afternoon’s Mid-Hudson Conference baseball game versus the visiting SUNY Orange Colts.
The Colts scored six runs in the top of the fifth inning to break a 1-1 tie and take a commanding 7-1 lead.
SUNY Orange (6-13, 3-2 Mid-Hudson Conference) added five runs in the sixth to record a 12-1 victory over the Generals at Baxter Stadium in Mountaindale.
The game ended after SCCC (2-11, 1-4 MHC) batted in the sixth inning due to the conference’s 10-run rule.
The Colts took advantage of one Generals’ miscue to begin a rally where they seized the lead and the game’s momentum in the key fifth frame.
With two runners on base and no outs, the SUNY Orange’s Dan Rivera squared around in the batter’s box to bunt. He got the bat on the ball, which rolled down the third base line. SCCC pitcher Dan Mills quickly fielded the ball and turned towards third base to try and force out lead runner Rick Stewart.
But Mills’ throw to third baseman Ron Phippen was off, which allowed Stewart to keep running. Stewart crossed home plate to give the Colts a 2-1 lead as Bill Nordenhold sprinted to third base and Rivera ran to second.
A few moments later, Steve Gamma stepped up to the plate with one out and the bases loaded. He promptly ripped a double to left center field. The hit allowed all three of Gamma’s teammates to score, which extended the Colts’ advantage to 5-1.
SUNY Orange took a 6-1 lead later in the inning when Gamma scored on a single by Dan Mende.
Stewart, who was batting for the second time in the frame, then hit a sacrifice fly to give the Colts a 7-1 advantage.
In the top of the sixth, Mende hit a sacrifice fly and Nordenhold stroked a two-run single to left field as SUNY Orange took an 11-run lead.
Stewart and Derek Blume each finished the afternoon with two hits and two RBIs.
Sophomore pitcher Bill Hartranft earned the win for the Colts. He went all six innings, allowing only four hits while recording six strikeouts.
“Bill threw very well today,” SUNY Orange Coach Wayne Smith said. “He threw strikes and pretty much kept their hitters off balance.”
Smith also praised his team’s performance at the plate.
“Rick Stewart had a couple of nice at-bats this afternoon,” Smith said.
SCCC Coach Mike Marra noted that his team played very well early in the contest.
“For the first four innings, it was a great game,” he said. “Both teams were playing well.”
But then came the game-changing fifth inning.
“We made a couple of mistakes and they took advantage of them,” Marra said. “That’s what good teams do, they capitalize on their opponent’s mistakes.”
Marra noted that his players are doing well at the plate.
“We hit the ball hard today, but many times it was right at one of their fielders,” he explained. “But we need to be more consistent with our pitching and defense.”
The Generals took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Randy Ramirez ripped a single to center field and stole second base. Moments later, Ramirez scored on a base hit by Yensy Carty.
Notes: SCCC and SUNY Orange are scheduled to meet again this afternoon at Baxter Stadium. The first pitch is slated for 3:30 p.m.
The Generals will return to Mountaindale on Wednesday, April 12 when they will host Bronx Community College in a 4 p.m. contest.
On Saturday, April 15, SCCC will host Rockland Community College at Baxter Stadium. That contest is scheduled to begin at noon.