Izquierdo Reaches 100 Hits, Express Stumble in AMCC Openers

GOWANDA, NY - Star captain Aaron Izquierdo and the Express baseball team opened AMCC play on Monday against the Hilbert College Hawks in a 2-game set that experienced some last-minute site and scheduling changes, as the game originally scheduled for Tuesday afternoon at Hilbert College was pushed to Monday and moved to nearby Gowanda High School. Despite the Express entering on a red-hot 8-game win streak, an 8-run 1st inning for the Hawks would cool them off very quick despite Hilbert only getting 1 hit in the frame. The Express would lose their momentum and eventually be defeated in the 2-game set by scores of 13-0 and 15-3.

Despite the loss of steam for a team on an 8-game win streak, the Express managed to fight in game 2, as they would momentarily take the lead thanks to the aformentioned Izquierdo.

Down 2-0 entering the 3rd frame of game 2, the top of the Wells batting order would get the gears moving again, as Max Odum would reach base and subsequently get moved over to second coutesy of a ground out by his brother Zack. The red-hot Jacobi James would then come to the plate and whack a double down the left field line to score Odum and make it 2-1. 

That was when Izquierdo made his way to the box. 

Entering the at-bat with 99 career hits, Izquierdo decided to make his milestone knock a flashy one, belting a rocket that left the yard in a hurry to give Izquierdo a 2-run home run and also give the Express the lead at 3-2. Izquierdo's 100th hit makes him the 7th player in Wells history to do so, entering an exclusive club while injecting some life into the Express bats in game 2.

Despite Izquierdo's energizing rally, the Express hit into some untimely outs, stranding many baserunners as the Hawks managed to regain the lead and control the rest of the second game. 

The Express, who entered the day leading the conference in many offensive statistical categories, had their opportunites but left many potential runs on the basepaths. As a unit, the Express batters managed to draw 7 walks in game 2, showing great discipline but ultimately failing to capatilize on the occupied bases as previously mentioned.

Izquierdo went 3-for-7 on the day, earning 2 RBI on the lead-grabbing blast in game 2. 

James also built upon his great offensive start to the year, batting 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI while also dissuading yet-another pitching staff from throwing him any good strikes as he drew 2 more walks on the day.

On the pitching side of things, when it rained it poured for the Express hurlers. The Wells pitching gave up lots of runs in the 2 game series, but only allowed the Hawks to score in just 6 of the 15 innings played. The pitching staff had many great and efficient innings, but when Hilbert got anything going, the Express staff allowed things to snowball leading to the Hawks achieving crooked numbers in enough frames to take firm control of both games. 

Despite this the Express showed some flashes of great pitching that, if captured consistently, could lead them to become a truly fearsome unit. 

Next up for the Express is their first AMCC home series of the season, as they welcome Pitt. - Greensburg on Saturday for a doubleheader. Game 1 will be 7 innings followed by a 9 inning game 2 as per the AMCC baseball schedule. Come visit Aurora or follow along on stream using the links on our Express baseball 2024 schedule tab. 

GO EXPRESS!!

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