The Webster Warthogs Babe Ruth Senior League team set up a rematch of last year's championship by defeating the Geneva-Midlakes Barons, 12-2, on Thursday evening in the losers' bracket final at Webster Thomas High School.
The Warthogs will face defending champion Irondequoit Bay Bombers at 3 p.m. on Saturday at Thomas. The time and place were changed from its original schedule at MCC.
It is a repeat of last year's scenario when the Warthogs needed to win twice to capture the title. They won the first game but lost the second.
The Hogs and Bombers split their two regular season games this year.
The Warthogs avenged their defeat to the Barons earlier in the tournament (5-2) with the 12-2, five-inning victory. Webster belted three two-run homers after Geneva took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning.
Warthog hurler Mike Paratore got into a groove after that frame and finished with eight strikeouts over four innings pitched.
"Mike is one of our aces and we've been holding him for tonight," said Warthogs coach Brian Johnson. "Geneva is a good-hitting team."
Alex Beyea threw the final inning and notched two more K's.
The Barons scored in the first on leadoff singles by Kyle Consolie and Dom Benjamino. After two strikeouts, Angel Diaz delivered a two-run double to center.
Paratore then retired the next nine Geneva batters before an error and single put two runners on in the fourth. However, a fielder's choice prevented any scoring.
The Warthogs bats came alive in the bottom of the first. Chris Johnson and Dave Foos both single. Kevin Johnson beat out an infield single as the first run came home. Chris Doyle ripped a double to left to put the Hogs in front to stay.
Steve DiNicola drew a walk and Greg Koopman laced a double to right for a 4-2 lead. A walk to Paratore loaded the bases. With one out, Beyea lofted a sacrifice fly. An error on Stephen Muoio's grounder allowed the sixth run to cross the plate.
Kevin Johnson betled a two-run homer in the second. Doyle smashed a two-run blast in the fourth, and Beyea ended the game with a two-run shot in the fifth.
"It's nice to see our bats come around the last couple of games to get us into the championship games on Saturday," said coach Brian Johnson.
Craig Potter can be reached at (585) 394-0770, Ext. 351, or e-mail: cpotter@messengerpostmedia.com
