Steamers Spoil Hitmen Home Opener, 5-1

HORSEHEADS, N.Y. — The Horseheads Hitmen were unable to build on their season-opening victory Friday evening, falling 5-1 to the Hornell Steamers in their home opener at Horseheads.

The game remained scoreless through five innings as both starting pitchers traded zeros. Horseheads starter Connor Monroe turned in a strong outing, allowing just one run on four hits while striking out six over six innings.

Hornell broke through in the top of the sixth inning before the Hitmen answered in the bottom half. Nate Helms reached and later scored on a RBI double by Julian Lamper-Turkisher, tying the game at 1-1. Lamper-Turkisher led the Horseheads offense with three hits, including a pair of doubles, and drove in the team's lone run.

The Steamers took control in the seventh, scoring three runs to reclaim the lead, and added an insurance run in the ninth. Hornell collected eight hits on the night, highlighted by a three-hit performance from Nolan Winthrop and doubles from Rylan Stokes and Wyatt Argentieri.

Ben Karmanski added two hits for the Hitmen, who finished with six hits but struck out 10 times against three Hornell pitchers. Gage Thomas earned the win in relief, while Jared Ainsworth recorded the save.

Horseheads moves to 1-1 on the young season following the setback.