HOW SWEEP IT IS - Gens take pair from Phenoms

Behind strong starting pitching and some clutch hitting, the Gens swept a pair from the New York Phenoms today at Moody Park, pushing past the .500 mark with a 7-3 win in the opener and 5-2 win in the nightcap.

Game 2 starter Joe Sheets was electric. Headed to Columbia University after a gap year, the 2020 Salesianum (Del.) graduate shoved from the start. With a fastball that reached 93 mph, a nasty, heavy 2-seamer, and a wipeout slider, Sheets struck out the first six batters he faced, eight of the first nine, and 11 total (no walks) in five innings.

Still, he was on the hook for a tough-luck 2-1 loss until the Gens (3-2) erupted for four in the bottom of the 6th. Xavier Delgado fouled off three two-strike pitches before reaching base via a HBP. He stole second and went to third on an error by the catcher. He scored when Caden Shapiro smacked a single past a drawn-in infield and pinch runner Mark McNelly plated the go-ahead run when Zev Moore ripped a laser into right field.

Tim Haverstick drove in a pair for the final margin, and after Connor Takacs threw a sharp sixth inning, it was up to veteran Gen Frank DelGuercio - with a much lower arm angle than in his 2019 breakout season - to close the door for his first save of the year.

Everyone hit in Game 1 - 15 hits in fact as the Gens rolled to the win. Greg Delgado - fresh off being named NJCAA D2 first-team All-American - went 4-for-4, while yesterday's hero Ryan Murphy didn't leave the yard, but still had two hits. Ben Petrone and Giuseppe Arcuri also had a pair of hits, while Phil Stahl went 3-for-3 from the 8 hole.

The offense was more than enough for Bryce Mangene, who got stronger as the game went on and allowed just one run in 6 innings.

Pride and bragging rights are at stake this week as the Gens and Caps (2-1) meet in a 3-game series - a DH Wednesday and single 9-inning game Thursday night.