NTL BASEBALL: NEB USES BIG FOURTH INNING TO DOWN SULLIVAN COUNTY (2024-04-20)

Northern Tier Sports Report
ROME — NEB used a 7-run fourth inning to get some separation against Sullivan County, winning 9-4 during non-league baseball action Saturday.

It was 2-0 NEB after three when the Griffins pushed two across in the top of the fourth. 

With the game tied the Panthers had a big inning to take a 9-2 lead. 

Sullivan tried to chip away with runs in the fifth and sixth but it wasn’t enough.

Gavin Puza (2-for-2) scored twice with an RBI as Dillon Donnelly (1-for-3) drove in two runs with a run scored.

Josh Stanton (1-for-4) also scored with Kohen Hugo (1-for-3) scoring and driving in a run. Andrew Beers (1-for-3) added a hit.

Ethan Hunsinger and Eli Stanton both scored and had an RBI with Cayden McPherson also crossing home. 

Clay Wiggins (1-for-2) drove in a run, as well.

Hunsinger got the win, going four innings with three strikeouts, three walks, three hits, and two runs, one of which was earned.

Josh Stanton tossed the final three innings, with three strikeouts, four hits, two walks, and two unearned runs.

Sullivan County’s Tucker Blasi (2-for-4) had two hits while Blaze Fitzgerald (3-for-4) had a double with two runs scored.

Kruz McCusker started and went three innings in the loss, striking out four with three hits, seven walks, and seven earned runs.

Blasi pitched two innings of relief, striking out three with two walks, four hits, and two earned runs.

Puza got NEB on the scoreboard in the second when he drew a walk, then scored on a steal.

In the third Josh Stanton would single, then score on a steal of a home.

In the bottom of the fourth the first six Panthers reached, as McPherson led off with a walk.

That was followed by hits from Puza and Beers to load the bases.

Hunsinger drew a walk to bring in McPherson, followed by Eli Stanton walking, which allowed Puza to score.

Donnelly then broke the dam with a 2-run single for a 6-2 lead. After an out Wiggins singled in Eli Stanton, followed by Hugo driving in Donnelly to make it 8-2. 

Hugo later scored on a Puza hit for the 7-run lead.

NEB (6-3) travels to Sayre on Monday.

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PHOTO CAPTION: NEB’s Gavin Puza makes contact on an RBI single…PHOTOS BY CHRIS MANNING