Falcons Lose a Close One to Neighbor Romulus

The South Seneca Falcons lost a close extra-inning game to rival Romulus on Friday, May 2 by a final score of 9-8.
The Falcons would take the lead in the fifth, then again in the sixth and rally to tie it at eight in the seventh, but they couldn’t keep Romulus down long. Romulus’ A.J. Langley led off the top of the eighth with a single and then stole second. After a walk Mike Nixon came up to bat and ripped a single down the line for the go-ahead run. Ricky Johndrew, who relieved starter Ray Zajac in the top of the seventh, then settled down to strike out two Romulus players and pop out another to end the inning.
But South Seneca had used up their rallies for the day and Nixon set three down, squeezing the final popup himself and sealing the win. Zach Covert also had two hits for Romulus.
The loss knocked the Falcons to 1-8 overall and 0-7 in the Finger Lakes West conference. The team, made up of 11 juniors, 3 seniors and one freshman recently brought up from junior varsity, is one still in the building phase, according to coach Brian Oddi.
“We played some tough games this year, but we’re trying to build a new program out here,” said Oddi.
South Seneca have been on the wrong ends of some close games so far this season and it’s not for lack of offense. The team is still trying to find some balance in defense and pitching however.

For full game story and coverage pick up Wednesday’s Ovid Gazette.

Ricky Johndrew