By Staff Report
ELMIRA — The Niagara Power finally created some fireworks of their own, cranking out 16 hits in a 10-3 win over Elmira in New York Collegiate Baseball League action on a Fourth of July Saturday.
The Power (7-12) got it going early, scoring five runs in the first inning.
“That was important. It set the tone for the rest of the game,” said Power skipper Sam Kirby, whose ball club was in the midst of a losing streak before Saturday’s win.
Shortstop Brian Goodwin snapped out of his slump with a 3-for-4 performance that included two RBIs and one run. “He did just a tremendous job of never getting down and just staying even emotionally, and it really paid off for him tonight,” Kirby said.
Jake Gill also had an explosive night, going 4-for-5 with a pair of RBIs and a run scored. Andrew Ahrendt (two hits) got the Power’s first inning started with a double; he then scored on Gill’s double.
Stephen Cammuso and Jacan Warren both had two RBIs for the Power.
Matt Schimpf effectively shut down the Elmira (8-11) bats, giving up two runs on six hits over eight innings of work to even his record at 2-2. He also struck out six batters and walked only two.
“He looked tremendous,” Kirby said of Schimpf. “He’s a gamer. He comes out and he competes. He’s so under control, and he pitches to his strengths every time.”
As for Niagara’s offensive onslaught, Kirby said, “Our approach in the box was much better than it’s been all season. We got in there with the right mentality.”
Niagara welcomes Elmira to Sal Maglie Stadium for a rematch at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
