Webster Uses Clutch Hitting and Pitching to Beat Elmira

Webster Yankees head coach Dave Brust knows well of the necessary ingredients for a winning baseball team. 

Sunday afternoon, Brust’s pinstripes showed they can punch clutch hits, play stingy defense, and provide effective pitching. 

Steve Muoio (Georgia College) rapped a pair of doubles and Michael Craig limited the Elmira Pioneers to one hit over six as Webster won 4-1 in New York Collegiate Baseball League action. 

Webster showed a penchant for timely hitting, as all four runs occurred with two outs. 

Muoio rapped a one-out double in the second. After Mike Walraven (Hofstra) was thrown out at the plate, Muoio crossed the dish on a wild pitch.

In the seventh, Muoio ripped another one-out double off the base of the wall in right center. One out later, Olivier Bertrand (Monroe CC) delivered with a single. 

Bertrand finished the game 1-for-1 with three walks. 

None of the Webster runs were more impressive than the one scored in the fourth. 

With two outs Shawn Bailey (SUNY Cortland) dropped a text book bunt on the first base side of the pitcher’s mound.

The ball advanced past the pitcher but died in front of the Pio second baseman, J.J. Edwards (Sacred Heart). After Bailey stole second, Chriss Soldi (UMass-Lowell) slapped a single into left center, plating the speedy Bailey. 

Webster added an insurance run in the eighth. 

Thomas Kufel (Mercyhurst) worked a one-out walk. One out later, the third baseman stole second. Again, Soldi delivered with an RBI single. 

Webster stole four bases in as many attempts. 

“The bottom of our order executed well today,” said Brust. “Shawn Bailey had a great day. We did a good job of making contact with two outs. We have veteran guys who make adjustments after their first at-bat.” 

Craig allowed just two base runners striking out three and walking one. 

“I couldn’t get a lot of strikes early with my curve,” said the right hander. “I relied mostly on my fastball early.” 

That didn’t keep the Getzville, N.Y., native from mixing up speeds. Craig retired the last nine batters he faced, many with his breaking ball. Craig used just six pitches in the sixth keeping the Pio batters off-balance. 

Bryant Guilmette (UMass-Lowell) came on in the eighth picking up his second save of the week. The southpaw showed a flair for the dramatic again.

With one out and bases loaded, Guilmette induced a sacrifice fly to left field before popping up the final batter of the frame. Guilmette retired the side in order in the ninth.

On Thursday, the Hopkinton, Mass., native came in with bases loaded and got the inning-ending double play. 

“Honestly, I am not thinking about the situation when I come in,” noted the freshman. “I’m just hitting the mitt. It’s an easy game when you don’t think too much.” 

With the win, Webster improves to 6-0 on the season. 

After a day off, Webster travels to Hornell Tuesday. Game time is 7 p.m. 

Pickin' Splinters