Bethlehem baseball bests West Genesee to forge ahead in Class AA state tournament

ALTAMONT, N.Y. (NEWS10.COM) -- Over one week removed from winning the Section II, Class AA championship, the Bethlehem baseball team showed no signs of slowing down in Saturday's regional championship game of the state tournament out at Keenholts Park.

The Eagles scored four unanswered runs to take down Section III's West Genesee, 5-3, and claim their spot in the state semifinals.

Bethlehem quickly put a run up on the board in the home half of the first inning with a Scott Sleurs sacrifice fly that plated Joe Monserrat.

But after West Genny tied the score at one in the top of the second, the Wildcats tacked on two more runs in the third, taking a 3-1 advantage.

That lead didn't last long, though. With runners on first and second and one out in the bottom of the frame, CJ Franchini torched an RBI double down the right-field line. The next batter, Sleurs, pushed across another run with an RBI ground out, leveling the score at three.

Things got wild on the base paths for Bethlehem in the fourth inning. After Sean Matrose was hit by a pitch, Mike Evangelista singled to right, allowing Matrose to move up to third. While the play was still alive, Evangelista strayed too far from first base, and was caught in a rundown. West Genny second baseman Charlie Searle tagged out Evangelista, and threw behind Matrose, who had crept up the third base line during the rundown. But the Wildcats' third baseman, Joe Cavallo, dropped the ball, allowing Matrose to race home for the go-ahead, and what proved to be game-winning run.

Bethlehem starting pitcher Tim Sparks battled through some early struggles and delivered when it mattered most. From the fourth inning on, he allowed just two hits, while keeping West Genny off the board. He finished off a complete game. Only one of his three runs allowed was earned.

Franchini had the hottest bat of the day for Bethlehem, going 2-3 with the RBI double. Sleurs didn't record a hit, but he led the game with his two RBI.

Bethlehem (17-5) will head for Binghamton University Friday, June 7 to battle Section I's Eastchester (17-8) in the semifinals. First pitch is set for 4:00 p.m.