By Paul Gotham
Freshman Cody Herman (Ontario, N.Y./Wayne) tossed two innings out of the bullpen for a road win as Fredonia State’s Blue Devils downed the Pitt-Bradford Panthers, 4-2 in non-conference action last week.
Herman came on with the game knotted at a run apiece, struck out two and allowed one run on three hits for his first collegiate win.
“Bottom line he was able to bear down and get the outs we needed to get the win,” Fredonia State coach Matt Palisin said. “Any time we put him in a pressure situation he seems to elevate his game a little bit. It’s good to see that from a freshman.”
Herman stranded two runners in the eighth and left the bases loaded in the ninth.
“He had a few tough breaks,” Palisin added. “A couple hits he gave up were dribblers. The walks he gave up were full count. They fouled a couple off, and he just missed with a pitch here and there. Their batters battled, but he didn’t give in.”
With the leading run ninety feet away the 5-9 right-hander used his curve ball to fan back-to-back batters in the eighth.
“It was biting real nice,” Herman said of his curve ball. “They really didn’t see it too well.”
The Blue Devils used a two-out rally in the ninth to win the game. Kenny Johnston (Buffalo, N.Y./Kenmore West) singled home a run, and Ricky Mendiola (Williamsville, N.Y./Williamsville South) gave Herman a cushion plating two with a triple to left.
The win was the second straight for the Blue Devils who have won eight this season. In four appearances, Herman has struck out seven over 10-plus innings of work.
“He’s pitched a few times for us in Florida and up north,” Palisin noted. “When the game’s on the line, he pitches a little bit better.”
“Getting that first win is a load off my chest,” Herman said. “It feels good to get the first win and hopefully there’s more to come.”
Pitt-Bradford scratched a run across in the home half of the ninth, but Herman ended the game getting the final batter on a ground ball back to the box.
“When he needed that final out, he made a great pitch and got an easy come-backer to end the game,” Palisin commented.
Fredonia hosts Oswego State this weekend. The three-game set starts with a 3 pm first pitch Friday. The teams are slated for a doubleheader on Saturday.
Herman is joined on the Fredonia team by high school teammate Jason Weyman.
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