Spencerport’s Nick Bellone and Brockport right-hander Michael Jamele combined for 15 scoreless frames before the Blue Devils plated two runs in the top of the ninth inning and held on for a 2-1 win in varsity baseball.
Bellone pitched out of trouble on multiple occasions with runners on base in all but one of his eight innings of work. He saved his best work for the late innings as Brockport’s Mitchell Henshaw belted a one-out triple in the sixth inning, but was stranded as Bellone struck out the next batter and left fielder William Dunbar made a running catch in deep left center.
In the seventh inning of the 0-0 game Andrew Bertino singled with two outs and stole second. Jarod Bernard reached on an error putting runners at first and third and Tommy Tette walked to load the bases before Bellone induced a fly-out to end the threat.
Bellone allowed six hits and one walk while striking out five in eight innings of work.
Jamele matched him allowing four hits over seven innings and got defensive help from right fielder Riley Emmerson, who threw out two runners at first base on sharply hit ground balls.
Brockport broke up the 0-0 tie in their half of the ninth as Austin Perry led off with a single with Jakeb Mitchell pinch running. With one out, Cole Penders reached on an infield single and, after another strikeout, Jamele walked to load the bases. After a misplayed foul ball that could have ended the inning, Henshaw and Shaye Bartnick drew back-to-back RBI walks to give the Blue Devils a 2-0 lead.
In the bottom half of the ninth, Spencerport DH Josh Gillette smashed a one-out home run over the fence in right to cut the lead to 2-1, but the Rangers could get no closer as Bartnick earned the save.
Henshaw came on to pitch the eighth inning and was credited with the win for the 12-6 Blue Devils.
