July 8, 2026
By Steamers GM Paul Welker
The Hornell Steamers built a four-run lead through five innings, then weathered a late Genesee comeback to earn a 5-4 victory Tuesday night at Maple City Park. The win improved Hornell to 14-9-1 on the season and marked the Steamers’ second straight victory over the Rapids. Hornell manufactured runs in each of the second through fifth innings to take control early. Luke Manders (Kalamazoo) started the scoring in the second after reaching on a hit-by-pitch and eventually crossing the plate on Beno Ballard’s (Westminster) RBI single to left field. The Steamers added another run in the third when John Greenwood (North Park) lined a two-out double into the gap before Nolan Winthrop (Pomona Pitzer) followed with an RBI double to make it 2-0.
Genesee cut the deficit in half in the fourth on Luis Tumero’s RBI double, but Hornell answered immediately. Manders worked another walk and later scored when Callum McAtee (Transylvania) drilled an RBI double to left, restoring the two-run advantage. The lead grew to 4-1 in the fifth as Winthrop drew a two-out walk and scored on Will Parker’s (Pomona Pitzer) RBI double to right-center. Hornell starter Heath Betza (Mercyhurst) turned in another strong outing, allowing just one run on three hits over five innings while striking out three. The right-hander consistently worked ahead in the count and kept the Rapids off balance throughout his start.
Genesee chipped away in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Tumero before pulling even in the seventh. A pickoff that led to a run scoring from third and a solo home run from Mikey DeLuca tied the contest at 4-4. The Steamers scored the winning run in the eigth. Winthrop singled to center and stole second before Parker followed with a base hit. After McAtee worked a walk to load the bases, a balk allowed Winthrop to score the eventual game-winning run. bullpen then navigated a tense ninth inning. Peter Pipikios entered with two runners aboard and one out after PJ Ortiz walked and Luis Tumero singled. The right-hander induced a foul out and a strikeout to preserve the 5-4 victory.
Winthrop led the offense, finishing 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI, two runs scored, a walk, and a stolen base. Parker added two hits, including an RBI double, while McAtee collected a double, drove in a run, and reached base twice. Ballard also drove in a run, and Greenwood added a double and scored once.
After an off day on Wednesday, the Steamers open up a critical three-game series at Dansville on Thursday. First pitch on Thursday is at 5 p.m. followed by a 2 p.m. doubleheader on Friday.
