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Tarp Skunks stay hot with 7-1 victory against Niagara

Jamestown’s Nolan Smith hits a single in the fourth inning of Friday’s Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League contest against Niagara at Dietrhick Park. OBSERVER Photo by Scott Kindberg

JAMESTOWN — It’s been quite a run for Jamestown in its last 10 games.

Almost perfect, in fact.

Five pitchers combined on a four-hitter and the Tarp Skunks scored all their runs in the first three at-bats en route to a 7-1 victory over Niagara in a Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League contest before 1,109 fans at Diethrick Park on Friday night.

Jase Rutkowski (2-0) was the winner, with help from starter Hunter Bell and fellow relievers Mark Holm, Landon Castor and Cole Schwochow. Combined, they walked four and struck out six.

The win, its ninth in the last 10 games, raised Jamestown’s record to 19-11. The Tarp Skunks are now two games behind first-place Batavia and trail second-place Niagara Falls by half a game in the West Division.

Offensively, the Tarp Skunks were led by Nolan Smith, Ben Slanker and Nathan Borchardt, who collected two hits apiece.

It didn’t take long for them to literally get in the “swing” of the things as Jamestown scored three runs in the first inning, three more in the second and one in the third.

Armed with a 7-1 after three complete, it was more than enough for the scorching-hot Tarp Skunks.

Jamestown, which pounded out 10 hits, got it started in the bottom of the first inning. Smith led off with a single, Jakob Haynes also singled and, with one out, Justin Bremner was hit by a pitch. Borchardt followed with a two-run double and Brady Marshall drove in a run on a fielder’s choice.

In the second inning, off losing pitcher Jack Kemp (2-1), the Tarp Skunks had a pair of fielder’s choices by Haynes and Bremner and an RBI single by Slanker to push their lead to 6-1.

Finally, in the third inning, Aiden Nolasco’s RBI single made it 7-1, which turned out to be the final score.

Grayson Briggs had two of Niagara’s four hits.

After a day off today, Jamestown will be back in action at 4 p.m. Sunday when it entertains Geneva at Diethrick Park.

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