July 31, 2009 - (Brockport) - The Alfred Oilers made their first trip to the playoffs since Athletes in Action became a member of the New York Collegiate Baseball League today, making the drive up to Brockport for the second straight day. Yesterday they needed a win to make it into the playoffs, today they needed a win to get off in the right direction and they handed the ball to Northwood righty Josh Matthews. The Oilers helped themselves out, scoring right away in the first 3 innings. The big blow came off the bat of third baseman Michael Mosby, who came up with a runner on first base and two out. He took a 1-0 fastball over the left field fence to put Alfred ahead 4-0. Brockport battled back though, pushing 3 runs across in t he 5th and 6th innings, leaving little room for error. In the top of the 7th, a costly dropped third strike and later an error by the pitcher on a pick off play allowed Scott “Fish” Haddock to go all the way to third base to lead off the inning. A sac fly by Dan Perkins then drove him in, and the Oilers had themselves a 5-3 lead.
Garrett Randle, also of Northwood, came in to pitch the 8th inning, and after giving up a lead off walk, got clean up man Marcus Way to fly out to left and then struck out Ryan Nokelby. After a 7 pitch at bat, Randle picked the runner off first base and ended the Brockport rally. Randle stayed in for the first batter in the 9th inning, but after giving up a walk was quickly pulled. Robert Anders came in to close the game out, completing the Texas-3 step, and had a perfect outing to end the game. He got the first batter he faced, Robert LaRusso, to ground into a 5-4-3 double play. He then got a ground out to end the game.
The win was the first victory for an AIA team in the playoffs in the NYCBL, and puts them ahead in the 3 game series 1-0. Game 2 of the series will be played tomorrow night (Saturday) at ASC Field at Alfred State College at 5 o’clock, and can be heard on Teamline around 4:55 PM. Game 3 will be played, if necessary, at Brockport at 5 PM.
Article provided by the Alfred Oilers Baseball Club
