Herkimer Baseball goes 8-1 on Florida Trip

Herkimer baseball team recently returned from their spring trip to the Russmatt Invitational in central Florida. Playing against some of the nation's top programs, Herkimer walked away confident that 2019 will be another strong season for the Generals on the baseball diamond.

 Herkimer started their trip with Century College out of the Minnesota region. Century who is coached by Hall of Fame coach Dwight Kotila, is a fixture in the world series just about every year. Herkimer's first game of the season was a good one as Steven Centorani smashed a game tying homerun in the 5^th inning then tacked on 4 runs in the top of the 7^th inning and held on to a 5-1 victory. Herkimer didn't wait as long in game two and scoring 3 runs in the first two innings and that was enough for Herkimer starter Cole Miller. The big lefty worked 5 innings allowing 3 hits, 1 walk and 1 ER with 5 strikeouts in route to a 5-1 win in game two as well.

 Herkimer then faced off with 2018 world series participant Northern Essex CC. Herkimer defeated Northern Essex 16-6 in game one thanks in part to Brian Forbes, who drove in five runners. Forbes drove in runs on a double in the first, a single in the third, and a stolen base in the fourth. The base paths were crowded in this high-scoring game. Tyler McDonnell earned the victory on the pitcher's mound for Generals. He surrendered zero runs on two hits over three innings, striking out five and walking one. In game two Herkimer won 5-2 behind solid start from Christopher Godlewski, he surrendered one run on three hits over five innings, striking out eight and walking zero. Yanni Orfanidis and Dale Stanavich entered the game out of the bullpen and helped to close out the game in relief. Generals socked two home runs on the day. Brian Forbes had a four bagger in the third inning. Matthew Tobin put one out in the third inning.

Cameron Collett led Generals with two hits in three at bats.

 Herkimer faced Bucks County CC out of Pennsylvania on day three. Herkimer exploded for 21 runs in a 21-4 victory in game one. The big inning was the 3^rd inning for the Generals. Joseph Novenche doubled on a 1-0 count, scoring one run. Vito Castronovo tripled on a 2-0 count, scoring one run, and Cameron Collett homered on a 1-0 count, scoring two runs. Generals tallied nine runs in the fourth inning. The Generals socked two home runs on the day. Brandon Kruzinski went for the long ball in the fifth inning. Collett had a long ball in the third inning.

Generals racked up 15 hits. Novenche, Castronovo, Hong, and Collett each racked up multiple hits for Generals. Castronovo and Novenche all had three hits to lead Generals. In game two Herkimer got out to an early lead and held on for a 7-2 victory in game two.

 Herkimer stood 6-0 entering a 9 inning game with the defending National Champions. Oakton was just as ready for the Generals as they started the game with a solo shot from leadoff hitter Rouse who knocked 3 homeruns on the day. Generals fell behind early and couldn't come back in a 14-8 loss to Oakton CC. Oakton CC scored on a home run by Rouse and a home run by Heinlein in the first inning. Despite the loss, Generals did collect 11 hits in the high-scoring affair. Unfortunately, Oakton CC had 14 hits on the way to victory. Matt Parkinson had a four bagger in the third and ninth innings. Brendyn Stillman had a dinger in the first inning. Generals racked up 11 hits on the day. Benjamin Osborne, Parkinson, and Cameron Collett each collected multiple hits for Generals. Osborne went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead Generals in hits.

 Herkimer finished the trip with a split double header with Northern Essex and Prince George. Herkimer finished the trip strong winning game one 8-2 and then finished off Prince George 16-0.

Brian Forbes led the offense hitting .500 on the trip with 4 doubles, 2 homeruns and 19 runs batted in. Joe Novenche made a huge name for himself as a freshman hitting .769 on the trip with 7 doubles in 13 at bats. Lefty Cole Miller logged a 2-0 record with 11 innings and 15 strikeouts with only 2 walks.

Herkimer will up the Region III portion of their schedule with a trip to Rochester, NY to play Division III Monroe Community College on Tuesday, April 2.