baseball

The Genesee Community College baseball team hosted Monroe Community College on Thursday afternoon for the first of three double-headers in three days and split with their fellow Western New York Athletic Conference opponent, winning game one 8-3 and falling in game two 3-0.

Brandon Collins (Toronto, ON) gave the Cougars a 1-0 lead in the third inning on a solo homerun in game one, his second homerun in three games. Genesee added two runs in the fifth inning, which was led off by a Tyler Koronas (Naples, FL) triple. He would score on an error and then Jean Rodriguez (Caguas, PR), who reached on a fielder’s choice, scored on a hit by Collins.

Monroe rallied to tie the game in the sixth inning with three runs off of starting pitcher Dan Sharpe (Youngstown, NY). GCC answered with five runs in the bottom of the sixth, highlighted by a three-run triple from Collins to take back the lead for good.

Sharpe threw a complete game and allowed just the three runs on four hits while striking out three.

Collins finished game one with four runs batted in, Koronas went 2-3 with an RBI and two runs scored and Rodriguez scored two runs.

In game two, Cougars starter Adam Pratt (Batavia, NY) allowed an unearned run in the first inning that put GCC behind early.

The Genesee offense managed only seven singles in game two and only once had multiple runners on base. Monroe added two late runs to add to their lead and shut Genesee out in game two.

Fauchedre Celestijn (Willemstad, Curacao) finished game two 2-3, Collins was 1-3 and Koronas was also 1-3.

(Batavia High School graduate Adam Pratt (white jersey) took the loss on Thursday afternoon in game two of GCC's double-header against Monroe CC)

Pratt pitched all seven innings and allowed three runs (two earned) and struck out seven.

Genesee will play their second double-header in as many days tomorrow when they travel to Erie Community College for a 2pm start.

Genesee Community College starting pitcher Ruben Medina (Maracaibo, VEN) was nearly perfect on Tuesday afternoon against Finger Lakes Community College. Nearly. Medina started game one of the afternoon double header and allowed a one-out walk in the first inning to the visiting Lakers before retiring the next nineteen batters in a row, completing the first no-hitter in nine years for GCC. Medina quickly erased the top of the first inning walk with a ground ball double play and then set down the next eighteen batters on ten ground balls, five fly-outs and three strike outs.

“Ruben has done a great job for us all year,” said Cougars head coach Skip Sherman. “He was rewarded for all the hard work he has put in this year. He comes ready every game and prepares like he should.”

Genesee took the lead in the bottom of the first inning after Shakeel Newton (Christiansted, Virgin Islands) led off with a double and then scored on a sacrifice fly from Brandon Collins (Toronto, ON). The Cougars added two more in the first on a two-run double by Rafael Lozada (Santo Domingo, DR) that plated Tyler Koronas (Naples, FL) and Fauchedre Celestijn (Willemstad, Curacao).

GCC added to their lead with a run in the third inning on a sacrifice fly from Lozada, a run in the fourth inning on a solo homerun from Collins and two runs in the fifth inning on an RBI double from Mark Knight (Christiansted, Virgin Islands) and a sacrifice fly from Koronas.

The 7-0 lead was more than enough and would hold for Medina who knew throughout the afternoon that he was in the middle of something special.

“I knew I had a no-hitter going but I just focused on the game and took it pitch-by-pitch,” said Medina. “I tried to just spot my pitches and use my curveball and changeup to set up my fastball.”

Ruben Medina (red glove) celebrates with teammates after throwing a no-hitter in game one against Finger Lakes Community College on Tuesday afternoon

Genesee won game one 7-0 on Medina’s first collegiate no-hitter and third lifetime, as he threw two no-hitters in Little League.

Celestijn went 1-2 with two runs scored, Collins was 1-2 with a run scored and two runs batted in and Lozada was 1-3 with two runs batted in.

In game two, GCC starting pitcher Kyle Taylor (Ajax, ON) held the Lakers scoreless until the fourth inning when he gave up the game’s first run. The Cougars responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning highlighted by a Jean Rodriguez (Caguas, Puerto Rico) RBI single to take the lead.

Taylor surrendered a run on a suicide squeeze in the fifth inning, which tied the game and proved to be his final inning pitched in the game. Finger Lakes CC took the lead in the sixth inning, scoring a run off of reliever Dan Harms (Hamburg, Germany) and then added an insurance run in the seventh off of Collins. The insurance run proved to be a big one, as the Cougars managed a run in the bottom of the seventh inning to close to within one at 4-3, but could not complete the comeback and fell by the same score.

Overall, the Genesee offense managed just four hits in game two. Rodriguez was 1-2 with an RBI and a run scored, Collins was 1-4 with an RBI and Celestijn was 1-4 with a run scored.

Genesee (20-10 overall) will host Monroe Community College for an afternoon double-header on Thursday starting at 1pm.

The Genesee Community College baseball team split an afternoon double header with Western New York Athletic Conference rival Monroe Community College on Thursday, with each team winning a one-run game.

In game one, the Cougars only managed two hits, singles, both of which came from Brandon Collins (Toronto, Ontario). Genesee hitters were retired in order in five out of the seven innings and they did not score a run. GCC starter Ruben Medina (Maracaibo, VEN) went seven strong innings and allowed one run on seven hits. Monroe scored the only run of the game in the top of the seventh inning on a lead off single, sacrifice bunt and game-winning single with two outs. The Tribunes held on to win 1-0.

#19 Brandon Collins picks up three hits in Thursday's double header against Monroe Community College

In game two, Genesee jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Jean Rodriguez (Caguas, Puerto Rico) lead off the home-half of the inning with a single and Tyler Koronas (Naples, FL) followed with a hit and run single perfectly placed through the vacated shortstop hole to set up first and second with no outs. Collins continued his hot hitting and delivered a two-run hit to put GCC in front with their only two runs of the game. The lead was kept safe thanks to more strong pitching from Genesee. Starter Dan Harms (Hamburg, Germany) pitched around a solo homerun in the second inning and threw five strong innings allowing three hits and struck out three. Brandon Stagg (Guelph, Canada) and Collins combined to throw the final two innings and shut out the Tribunes to give GCC the 2-1 win.

Rodriguez finished the game 2-3 with a run scored and a stolen base and Collins went 1-3 with 2RBI's.

The Cougars improve to 13-9 on the season and will travel to Mercyhurst North East on April 12th for their next contest at 1pm.

The Genesee Community College men’s baseball team took two from Erie Community College on Thursday afternoon, winning game one 8-7 and game two 5-1.

Genesee got off to a fast start in game one when starting pitcher Sean Stanley (Holley, NY) retired the first three batters in a  row. The Cougars took the lead in the home-half of the first inning when leadoff hitter Tyler Koronas (Naples, FL) singled and then scored on a Brandon Collins (Toronto, Canada) sacrifice fly.

Erie responded with seven runs in the second inning on four hits, two hit batters and two walks to take a 7-1 lead. The Cougars came right back and scored six runs in the second, highlighted by back-to-back two-RBI hits by Emmanuel Garcia (Rio-Grande, PR) and Rafael Lozada (Santo Domingo, DR), to tie the game at 7.

Adam Pratt (Batavia, NY) came in to relieve Stanley in the third inning and shut the door. The freshman hurler finished the final five innings of the game and did not allow a run while giving up three hits and striking out four.

#12 Adam Pratt earned the win on the mound for GCC in game on against Erie Community College on Thursday afternoon

Genesee scored the game winning run in the bottom of the sixth inning when Bryan Depew (Wellsville, NY) reached on an error, was sacrificed to second on a bunt by Jose Alicea (St. Croix, VI), and was cashed in on a game-winning RBI single by Sean Sutton (Toronto, Canada).

Sutton finished game one going 2-4, Koronas scored two runs, and Pratt picked up the win on the mound.

#16 Sean Sutton delivers the game-winning hit in game one against Erie Community College on Thursday afternoon

In game two, the Cougars again jumped out to an early lead with Koronas scoring a first inning run on an RBI double by Garcia. Genesee added one run in the second and three in the fifth to build a lead they would not relinquish.

Starter Dan Harms (Hamburg, Germany) went five innings, struck out four batters and only allowed one run en-route to earning the win. Kyle Taylor (Ajax, Canada) earned a six-out save by not allowing a run and giving up one hit and striking out one.

Koronas again scored two runs, Lozada went 1-2 with two runs batted in and Garcia went 3-4 with a run scored and a run batted in.

Genesee improves to 12-5 on the season and will play at Mercyhurst North East on Tuesday at 1pm.

From Ritchie Kirkum:

Chris Manes of Oakfield, last years MVP and 4 year varsity player at Oakfeild-Alabama recently committed to Hilbert College in Hamburg NY to further his education and play Baseball for Coach Jim Pernick and the Hawks. “We are so excited to have Chris. He is a bull dog and will be in the starting rotation as a Freshman. I have been looking for a strong lefty and now I got one. The assistant coaches and team has already met Chris and everyone is so happy to have him aboard. His 4 years experience on varsity and numerous travel teams gives him such an edge. He has played for both excellent high school and travel coaches. “

Dann Bilardello will return in 2012 for his third season as manager of the Batavia Muckdogs. The 52-year-old Bilardello has compiled a record of 82-67 during his two years in Batavia and led the Muckdogs to the Pinckney Division title in 2010.

Prior to managing the Muckdogs, Bilardello was the St. Louis Cardinals Minor League catching coordinator for three seasons. The former Major League catcher also has four years of minor league managing experience in the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers organizations.

Bilardello managed the Wilmington Blue Rocks in the Carolina League during the 2005 season. Before that, he spent three years managing for the Dodgers in Great Falls of the Pioneer League starting in 2002 and the following two years with Columbus in the South Atlantic League. He led Great Falls to a Pioneer League Championship in 2002 with a record of 47-28 and 4-1 in the playoffs.

The Vero Beach, Fla., resident played all or part of eight Major League seasons as a catcher with Cincinnati (1983-85), Montreal (1986), Pittsburgh (1989-90) and San Diego (1991-92). He signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers after being chosen in the first round of the secondary phase of the 1978 amateur draft. In 382 Major League games, he batted .204 with 18 home runs and 91 RBI.

Joining Bilardello in the dugout will be Hitting Coach Roger LaFrancois and Pitching Coach Dernier Orozco.

Roger LaFrancois, 55, will return for his third season as the Muckdogs hitting coach and has more than 20 years of coaching experience. LaFrancois has coached or managed at all levels of the minor leagues with several different Major League organizations.

A catcher in the Boston Red Sox organization, he spent eight years with the Sox, and saw action in the Major Leagues during the 1982 season. The Old Saybrook, Conn., resident has been a partner and director of the World Baseball Coaches Convention since 2003.

Dernier Orozco, 29, will begin his first season as the Muckdogs pitching coach, after serving as the pitching coach for the Gulf Coast League Cardinals in 2011. This will be Orozco’s seventh season as a pitching coach in the Cardinals system.

Before his stint in the Gulf Coast League, Orozco spent four years coaching in the Venezuelan League from 2006-2008 and again in 2010. Orozco played six professional seasons as a right-handed pitcher in the Boston Red Sox organization. He went 4-2 with a 6.09 ERA in 14 games (29.2 IP) for the Gulf Coast League Red Sox in 2003, his final season.

Mike Petrarca will serve as the trainer for the 2012 season, his second with the Muckdogs. Petrarca will be entering his fifth season in the St. Louis Cardinals organization.

Press release:

Dann Bilardello will return in 2012 for his third season as manager of the Batavia Muckdogs. The 52-year-old Bilardello has compiled a record of 82-67 during his two years in Batavia and led the Muckdogs to the Pinckney Division title in 2010.

Prior to managing the Muckdogs, Bilardello was the St. Louis Cardinals minor league catching coordinator for three seasons. The former Major League catcher also has four years of minor league managing experience in the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers organizations.

Bilardello managed the Wilmington Blue Rocks in the Carolina League during the 2005 season. Before that, he spent three years managing for the Dodgers in Great Falls of the Pioneer League starting in 2002 and the following two years with Columbus in the South Atlantic League. He led Great Falls to a Pioneer League Championship in 2002 with a record of 47-28 and 4-1 in the playoffs.

The Vero Beach, FL resident played all or part of eight Major League seasons as a catcher with Cincinnati (1983-85), Montreal (1986), Pittsburgh (1989-90) and San Diego (1991-92). He signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers after being chosen in the first round of the secondary phase of the 1978 amateur draft. In 382 Major League games, he batted .204 with 18 home runs and 91 RBI.

Joining Bilardello in the dugout will be Hitting Coach Roger LaFrancois and Pitching Coach Dernier Orozco.

Roger LaFrancois, 55, will return for his third season as the Muckdogs hitting coach and has over 20 years of coaching experience. LaFrancois has coached or managed at all levels of the minor leagues with several different Major League organizations. A catcher in the Boston Red Sox organization, he spent eight years with the Sox, and saw action in the Major Leagues during the 1982 season. The Old Saybrook, CT resident has been a partner and director of the World Baseball Coaches Convention since 2003.

Dernier Orozco, 29, will begin his first season as the Muckdogs pitching coach, after serving as the pitching coach for the Gulf Coast League Cardinals in 2011. This will be Orozco’s seventh season as a pitching coach in the Cardinals system. Before his stint in the Gulf Coast League, Orozco spent four years coaching in the Venezuelan League from 2006-2008 and again in 2010. Orozco played sex professional seasons as a right-handed pitcher in the Boston Red Sox organization. He went 4-2 with a 6.09 ERA in 14 games (29.2 IP) for the Gulf Coast League Red Sox in 2003, his final season.

Mike Petrarca will serve as the trainer for the 2012 season, his second with the Muckdogs. Petrarca will be entering his fifth season in the St. Louis Cardinals organization.

The second seeded Genesee Community College Men’s Baseball team came back after trailing 3-0 to win the Western New York Athletic Conference Championship, 7-3 over the number one seed Mercyhurst North East on Saturday evening at Dwyer Stadium.

Cougars starting pitcher Dan Sharpe (Youngstown, NY) allowed two runs in the first inning after giving up two hits and walking two. He allowed another run on two hits in the second inning before settling down.

Trailing 3-0 in the home half of the second inning, the Cougars responded by scoring two runs on RBI singles from Brandon Collins (Toronto, Canada) and Bryan Depew (Wellsville, NY). Zach Ranta (Stoney Creek, Ontario) tied the game at 3 in the very next inning when he scored on an errant throw after a base hit from Brian Nieves.

With a tie score, Sharpe settled in and did not allow a single hit after the second inning. He finished the game throwing 8 and 2/3 innings, allowing 3 runs on 4 hits, struck out 5 and earned the win.

(Fauchedre Celestijn celebrates after hitting a three-run homerun in WNYAC Championship game)

GCC took the lead for good in the bottom of the seventh inning with an RBI single from Ramon Vega (San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico) that scored Ranta to give the Cougars a 4-3 advantage. Fauchedre Celestijn (Willemstad, Curacao) followed with a three-run homerun to give Genesee a 7-3 lead, a lead they would hold on to for the win.

(The GCC fall championship baseball team)

The Cougars finish the fall season with 13 wins and 2 losses in conference play and earn their first fall title since 2009.



In the WNYAC semi finals, the GCC Men’s Baseball team defeated Erie Community College 5-1 to advance to the championship game.

Cougars starter Adam Pratt (Batavia, NY) threw 8 and 1/3 innings, allowing a run on 5 hits, struck out 7 and walked 3.

(Batavia High School graduate Adam Pratt pitches GCC into the WNYAC Championship game with a 5-1 win over Erie Community College)

GCC jumped out to an early lead when Tyler Koronas (Naples, FL) delivered an RBI singled that scored the lead off hitter Shakeel Newton (Christiansted, Virgin Islands) who reached on an error in the bottom of the first. Koronas would later scored on an RBI ground out by Brian Nieves (San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico) to give the Cougars a 2-0 lead.

The Cougars added a run in the 3rd, 5th and 7th innings and finished with 11 hits in the game. Fauchedre Celestijn went 2-4 with 2 RBI’s and Koronas finished the game going 2-4 with a run batted in and a run scored.