Thunderwolves thump OCC in four-game sweep

Niagara County Community College kicked off its Region III schedule with a quartet of victories over Onondaga Community College this past week. The Thunderwolves, ranked No. 6 in the latest NJCAA Div. III polls, are now 16-4 overall and 4-0 in the region. Next up is a four-game regional slate with Tompkins-Cortland Community College.

Niagara CCC 21, Onondaga CC 2

Sophomore Gunner Becker improved to 4-0 on the year as he allowed just three hits and one earned run over four innings of work. The righty also had five strikeouts. At the plate, sophomore Vincent Chiarenza was 1-for-1 with a two-run home run and three runs scored. Classmate Kyle LaPlante was 2-for-3 with four RBIs and fellow second-year standout Will Lawrence finished 2-for-2 with two RBIs and three runs scored.

Niagara CCC 6, Onondaga CC 2

Sophomore Keegan Ernest threw a two-hitter with no earned runs and 10 Ks. Chiarenza was 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored and sophomore Joe Barberio added two RBIs in the win.

Niagara CCC 14, Onondaga CC 0

Freshman southpaw Erik Johnson tossed four innings of two-hit ball to improve to 4-0 on the season. Chiarenza ripped a grand slam and had five RBIs, while sophomore Garrett Boldt was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and classmate Bryan Rivera clubbed a two-run double.

Niagara CCC 19, Onondaga CC 0

Barberio struck out eight in four innings of work to get the win. At the dish, Barberio finished 2-for-3 with five RBIs and two runs scored. Chiarenza was 2-for-2 with three runs and Lawrence ended up 1-for-1 with three RBIs and two runs scored.