July 5, 2026
From Hornell Steamers GM Paul Welker
A four-run sixth inning and a dominant performance from the bullpen propelled the Hornell Steamers to a 6-3 victory over the Genesee Rapids on Independence Day at Maple City Park. The Steamers improve to 13-9-1 on the year. Genesee struck first in the opening inning when Alex Behles drove home Mikey DeLuca with a sacrifice fly, but Hornell answered in the second without the benefit of an RBI hit. Michael Duncan (Eastern Mennonite) singled and advanced to third before Markus Brehm (St. Bonaventure) reached on a fielder’s choice and aggressively stole second. A throwing error on the play allowed Brehm to advance to third while Duncan crossed the plate to even the score at 1-1. The Steamers grabbed their first lead in the fourth. Callum McAtee (Transylvania) worked a leadoff walk and later scored on a wild pitch after Duncan drew a walk and Wyatt Argentieri (Bethany Lutherna) laid down a perfectly placed bunt single to put runners at every base.
Genesee tied the game again in the fifth when Behles lined an RBI single to right, but Hornell answered with its biggest offensive inning of the afternoon. Beno Ballard (Westminster) opened the sixth with a single before Duncan walked and Argentieri dropped another bunt single to load the bases. Brehm then lined a single to center, scoring Ballard while Duncan raced home on a Genesee error to put Hornell back in front. After Brehm and Argentieri executed a double steal, Nolan Winthrop (Pomona Pitzer) delivered an RBI single through the middle to extend the lead to 5-2. Moments later, McAtee was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, forcing home Brehm and capping the four-run rally. Genesee answered with a run in the seventh, but the Steamers’ bullpen made sure the comeback would go no further. Peter Pipikos (North Park) entered with the bases loaded and no outs and recorded a pair of strikeouts and a ground out to end the threat.
Talen Pilz (Pomona Pitzer) earned his first victory of the season while Pipikios was outstanding over the final three frames. The right-hander retired all nine batters he faced, striking out six to earn the save. Hornell finished with 11 hits, led by Argentieri, who went 3-for-4 and reached base safely on each of his bunt attempts. Brehm added two hits, two stolen bases, an RBI, and a run scored, while Will Parker (Pomona Pitzer) collected two hits behind the plate. Duncan scored twice, and Winthrop drove in a key insurance run during the decisive sixth inning. The Steamers also flashed their aggressive style on the bases, stealing five bags and taking advantage of three Genesee errors.
Hornell has Sunday off before the 2026 NYCBL All-Star game on Monday. The team is back at home on Tuesday for a 7 p.m. rematch with the Rapids.
