James Rae delivered an RBI single to center in the bottom of the eighth inning to give Verona a walk-off 3-2 win over Cazenovia in a Home Talent Night League first-round playoff game on Thursday, Aug. 7, at Stampfl Field.
Verona (10-0) advances to the second round of the Night League playoffs where the Cavaliers will host Columbus on Thursday, Aug. 14. The Cavaliers’ Sunday League Western Section championship game against Arena on Sunday was rained out and has been rescheduled for Sunday, Aug. 17, at Stampfl Field.
Trailing by two runs in the eighth, Ryan Ambrosy singled leading to spark the comeback with an RBI single down the right field line. Colby Davis was then hit by a pitch that scored a run. Rae came through in the clutch and the Cavaliers scored three runs in the eighth for a comeback win. It marked Rae’s second walk-off hit in the past three games.
Rae went 3-for-5 with one RBI. Both Owen Davis and Jake Rydquist each finished 2-for-4 at the plate with a run scored.
Owen Davis pitched five shutout innings and surrendered four hits. He struck out four and walked two. Brady Patten tossed 2 â…“ innings in relief and gave up one earned run on one hit, while striking out three and walking two to get the win.