NYCBL BASEBALL: Power ‘embarrassed’ by two losses to Alfred

Staff Report
Niagara Gazette

June 22, 2009 10:39 pm

— Although Niagara Power president Cal Kern had high expectations for his team this New York Collegiate Baseball League season, Monday was the kind of day that could deflate even the most optimistic supporter.
The Power managed just eight hits in a doubleheader at Alfred, dropping decisions of 11-0 and 6-0 to the Oilers to suddenly become mired in a four-game losing skid.
Kern was nearly speechless after Monday’s debacle, vowing that changes would be made before the Power face Geneva tonight at Sal Maglie Stadium.
“It was probably the lowest point of my three years of doing this,” Kern said after the losses. “I’m embarrassed.”
In the opener, Niagara trailed just 1-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth, but the Oilers struck for 10 runs.
Anthony Powell, a right-hander, got the start, but dropped to 0-2 with the loss.
In the second game, Jake Gill doubled, but the Power couldn’t get any offense behind Josh Rebandt, who got the start.
Chris Kuenzle came on in relief and had two good innings of work, but it was too late. With the losses, the Power fell to 5-7 on the year.
“We have a better team than what we showed today,” Kern said. “(Coach) Sam (Kirby) thinks that and I do too.”
Niagara is still waiting for the return of first baseman Tennyson Dodd, who has been absent with hand troubles.
It’s uncertain when Dodd will return.
“We really miss his bat,” Kern said. “Every game he’s been out, we’ve lost. He’s that big a deal for us.
“But there’s a lot of baseball left. We’re not giving up.”