Thunderwolves extend winning streak to nine straight after double bill with Tompkins Cortland CC Tuesday

*** PHOTO COURTESY OF CARSON HARPER ***

In its first action since it competed at the RussMatt Invitational in mid-March in Florida, SUNY Niagara recorded its first two wins in NJCAA Region III play this season when it visited Tompkins Cortland Community College Tuesday. The Thunderwolves defeated the Panthers in Game One, 13-3, followed by a 16-4 victory in Game Two.

SUNY Niagara, which was ranked third in the NJCAA Div. III rankings for a third straight week on March 23, is now 20-2 this season. This is the 18th time in 20 seasons the Thunderwolves have posted at least 20 wins in the Matt Clingersmith era, with 6-11 finishes in 2007 and 2-4 in 2020 as the exceptions and a 373-75 overall record in the last 10 seasons (since 2016-17). 

Now on a nine-game winning streak, SUNY Niagara continues its season, weather permitting, with its home-opening doubleheader versus Genesee Community College Thursday at Sal Maglie Stadium in Niagara Falls. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. 

Game One: SUNY Niagara 13, Tompkins Cortland CC 3

The Thunderwolves erased a 2-1 deficit after the first inning and scored four runs in the third for a 6-2 lead. SUNY Niagara later added seven runs in the seventh and recorded its 13th win by a 10-run margin this season. 

Cam Gravelle (team-high three hits) and Mike Schaefer (two hits) drove in a team-high three runs each. Evan Kohr and Cooper Prizel delivered two runs home apiece. 

Jonah Moscato and Luke Gigliotti recorded a run batted in to their individual box scores. Gravelle, Harper and Joe Panzarella crossed home plate twice and Moscato, Gigliotti and Alexander Graham did so once. 

Fredonia graduate Ashton Putney recorded the start and allowed three runs on six hits, retired four and walked three in 4.1 innings pitched (80 pitches). Charlie Chubak recorded two strikeouts on two hits in 1.2 innings of relief and Cooper Polcovich struck out two of the three batters he faced in the seventh. 

SUNY Niagara recorded 13 runs on 12 hits. 

Game Two: SUNY Niagara 16, Tompkins Cortland CC 4 

The Thunderwolves jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first and had a 6-2 lead through three innings of play. SUNY Niagara had a 9-4 lead through the fifth inning and closed the game with four runs in the third and three in the seventh for its 14th win by a 10-run margin this season. 

Derrick Allen went a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate, drove in a run and scored twice. Jonah Moscato and Luke Gigliotti drove in a team-high three runs each and Luke Rybczynski and Mike Schaefer drove in two runs apiece. 

Dalton Harper scored three runs and Evan Kohr, Jacob Hudson and Shacory Williams all crossed home plate twice. Cam Gravelle went 2-for-6 with an RBI and a run. 

Luke Liedka allowed two runs on three hits, struck out seven and walked another three in four innings for the start (81 pitches). Austin Barton allowed two runs and posted a strikeout and a walk in his lone inning of action. 

Brady Case retired the side in the sixth. Patrick Beyer allowed one hit but recorded two strikeouts in the seventh. 

SUNY Niagara recorded 16 runs and tied its season-high of 17 hits (County College of Morris, Game One, March 17).