Norwich using unconventional blueprint for success

Baseball

Norwich 4, Chenango Forks 3

NORWICH – Norwich is following an unconventional blueprint for success after winning its second game this week.

Twenty-four hours removed from a comeback win over Seton Catholic Central. Norwich dug itself a 2-0 hole in the first inning after committing three of its four errors. “We’re just not coming out ready to play early in games, but we have bounced back,” said Norwich coach John Martinson. “I did tell the kids that if we do this on Friday against Oneonta, they will blow us out.”

Tim Clark pitched a complete-game victory striking out seven and walking none. Of the 30 batters he faced, he dealt 21 of them first-pitch strikes. “(Clark) was getting up in the count early and did a great job there,” Martinson said. “We settled down defensively after the first inning.”

Richie Bonney had a pair of RBI singles for Norwich, and senior Tyler Saroka doubled in Patrick Coates in the fifth with the eventual winning run. “I think the kids are gaining confidence and believing in themselves,” Martinson said, whose club is now 4-2 on the season.

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Tim Clark (W) and Patrick Coates. Justin Flannery, Paul Dybas (3, L) and Sean Wheeler. Doubles: (N) Tyler Saroka, Triples: (CF) Tom McMillian.

G-MU 20, Schenevus 4

COPES CORNERS – G-MU scored in every inning and won for the fourth time in five games Wednesday.

Cody Hall was 4-for-4 with four RBI and a three-run homer in the sixth. Tyler Wildfeir, Cody Luettger, and Tim Sloan added two hits apiece for G-MU (2-1, 4-1), who finished with 15 hits. “Offensively, we’re not too bad,” said G-MU coach Jim Johnson.

Jesse Ward finished 4-for-4 to lead Schenevus.

G-MU plays at Charlotte Valley Monday.

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Tyler Wildfeir (W) and Corin Todd. Shawn Sperbeck (L), N. Gergich (4), Tyler Morris (6) and Roger Dixon. Doubles: (G) Nate Sloan (2), Tim Sloan. (S) Jesse Ward. Triples: (G) T. Wildfeir, (S) Ward. HR: (G) Cody Hall.

S-E 5, Mount Markham 3

SHERBURNE – Sherburne-Earlville came back from two runs down in the sixth inning to win its Center State Conference league opener.

Tied at 3-3, winning pitcher Caleb Brown clipped a two-run single for the final margin of victory. Brown had two hits to support his three-strikeout, no-walk game. Nolan Fuller added an RBI and Ethan Sconzo had two hits and three stolen bases.

“Defensively, we turned three infield double plays that came at big times,” said S-E coach Brian Hicks. “Mount Markham is supposed to be one of the better teams in our league, so this was a great team win for everyone.”

Chris Harvey doubled and reached safely in all three trips to the plate to aid the S-E effort.

The Marauders (1-0, 5-4) are at Sauquoit Valley Friday.

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Caleb Brown (W) and Steve Buddenhagen. Jerry Ladke, Justin Deming (6, L) and Joe Orisno. Doubles: (M) Deming. (SE) Chris Harvey.

Otselic Valley 12, Madison 0

MADISON – Otselic Valley jumped out on top early, and cruised to its second win in as many games.

Brian Graham pitched a one-hit shutout striking out 12 and walking none. Graham had three hits, while Chris Olin went 2-for-5 and Corey Williams was 2-for-2.

“Their pitcher had trouble getting the ball over the pate in the first inning, and combined with three hits, that led to some good things,” said OV coach Dave Loomis.