A big slate of games were played on Monday, with four doubleheaders and two individual games giving the PGCBL 10 results that will certainly impact the playoff picture.
Saugerties Stallions 3, Oneonta Outlaws 1 (GAME 1)
In the first game of this doubleheader, Saugerties (17-13-1) used their pitching depth to get a big win over Saugerties (13-22).
After a scoreless first two innings, Oneonta struck first in the top of the third on an RBI single by first baseman Christopher Baillargeon (Holy Cross). Unfortunately for the Outlaws, their momentum would hold there and the Stallions pithing would get the best of them. However, right fielder Jacob Pipercic (LIU) reached base twice to help keep up the pressure.
All three Stallions runs would come in the next inning, giving them full control of this game. The big hit was a 2-run home run off the bat of DH Matt Olive (Valparaiso) to give Saugerties a 2-1 lead. Then, later in the inning, an RBI single from third baseman Jack Lawrence (Towson) padded the lead. He finished with two hits in the game to lead the team.
Lefty Andrew Speranza (STAC) picked up the win for Saugerties, pitching scoreless fourth and fifth innings. TJ Lopez closed it out in the seventh to earn his second save of the year.
Saugerties Stallions 6, Oneonta Outlaws 2 (GAME 2)
Once again, Saugerties (18-13-1) grabbed momentum early and held on to sweep the doubleheader over the Outlaws (13-23).
Like game one, Oneonta took a 1-0 lead, this time in the top of the first. Once again it was left fielder Christopher Baillargeon (Holy Cross) delivering on a sac fly to put the Outlaws up 1-0. The other Oneonta run would come in the top of the fifth when this time right fielder Jacob Pipercic (LIU) got a sac fly of his own.
The story of the game for the Stallions was centerfielder Andrew Amato (Delaware), who had one of his best days in what has been an impressive season. He began the scoring for Saugerties with a solo home run in the bottom of the first to tie the game at one, and followed it up with a 3-run homer in the very next inning to give the Stallions control of the game. He finished with five RBI on the game, with the sixth being provided by Stallions third baseman Damion Kenealy (Polk St) on a sac fly in the fifth.
After Saugerties starter Quinton Hall (Eastern Kentucky) tossed the first four frames, Ethan Conrad (Marist) came in in relief to pick up his second victory of the year.
Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs 5, Watertown Rapids 4 (GAME 1)
Mohawk Valley (20-13) used consistent offensive pressure to sneak out a win over the Rapids (11-23) in game one of the Monday doubleheader.
The DiamondDawgs struck first in the one, putting up two runs in the top of the second on an RBI groundout and an error to take a 2-0 lead. Then, after falling into a hole, they put up one run in each of the final three frames to reach five for the game. This scoring streak began in the fifth on an RBI single by catcher Mitch Balint (Carson-Newman), and concluded when first baseman Sebastian Mueller (Quinnipiac) picked up an RBI single of his own in the seventh. Mueller had two hits for the game.
Watertown took a 3-2 lead in the fourth on a 3-run home run by third baseman David McCann (Virginia Tech), his third homer of the season. Then, after falling into a 5-3 hole in the final frame, they could only bring across one more run when left fielder Gaetan Grandelli (West Chester) crossed home.
Colin Ruddy (GW) picked up the win for the DiamondDawgs, tossing six innings, giving up two earned runs to pick up his third victory of the season. Matt Alduino (Quinnipiac) came in for his second save of the year.
Watertown Rapids 4, Mohawk Valley DomaondDawgs 2 (GAME 2)
The Rapids (12-23) used some early offense to take control of the game and split the doubleheader with Mohawk Valley (20-14).
The only two DiamondDawgs runs came in the fifth in game two of this doubleheader, when left fielder Nick Sturino (Fairfield) picked up a 2-run single. The Rapids would hold the scoring there, although DH Mitch Balint (Carson-Newman) reached base twice, as did Sturino.
The Rapids scored all four of their runs in the first three frames, the first being an RBI single off the bat of DH Jax Miller (Walsh), who had two hits in the game. Two more runs would come in in the next frame, the first of which was a sac fly from right fielder Mike Norton (Cayuga CC). Miller then scored in the third to give Watertown four runs for the game.
Sean Decker-Jacoby (Brandeis) got the win, tossing the first five frames, allowing two runs, and striking out eight. Derrike Goutremount (Utica U) pitched the final two innings scoreless for the save.
Elmira Pioneers 6, Geneva Red Wings 5 (GAME 1)
In this close West Division matchup, Elmira (19-12) rallied ahead of Geneva (8-22-1) to help their playoff hopes in game one.
Geneva’s offense looked great in the first few innings, putting up five runs by the end of the third. The first run came on an RBI single by catcher Jason Shockley (Rutgers), who finished with two hits and three RBI for the game. Left fielder Brennan Staubley (Franklin Pierce) picked up the Red Wings fourth RBI.
The Pioneers got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third when left fielder Kevin Knoess (Montgomery) laced an RBI single to cut the Geneva lead to 5-1. Then after Elmira would add one more to make it 5-2, they’d have their big inning in the fifth, putting up another four runs to take a 6-5 lead. The big hit was a 3-run double off the bat of right fielder Cooper Smith (Tufts), which tied the game at five.
Griffin Yastremski (Keystone) got the win for Elmira, pitching five innings, giving up four runs, and striking out six. Gardner Meeks (Roanoke) pitched a scoreless seventh to earn the save.
Elmira Pioneers 9, Geneva Red Wings 1 (GAME 2)
Elmira (20-12) used fantastic offensive and pitching performances to sweep the doubleheader over Geneva (8-23-1).
After taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third, Elmira would tack on four more runs in the each of the next two innings to take full command of the game. In the fourth, shortstop Chris Bear’s (Northern Essex CC) 2-run single was the big hit, and in the fifth a 3-run double from right fielder Cooper Smith (Tufts) broke the game wide open. Bear and Smith would lead the team with 3 RBIs each.
Geneva’s lone run cam in the final frame on a bases-loaded RBI walk from centerfielder Nate Milk (Niagara U). Catcher Brandon Biggane (Bates) had the strongest day at the dish for Geneva, eating base three times.
Conner Lutes (Northern Illinois) was fantastic as the starting pitcher for the Red Wings, pitching six scoreless innings with nine strikeouts to pick up the win.
Utica Blue Sox 6, Boonvile Lumberjacks 3 (GAME 1)
Utica (19-10) used a big fourth inning to gain momentum and take game one of the doubleheader in Boonville (10-24).
Boonville struck first in this contest in the bottom of the first on an RBI single from third baseman Alex Angulo (Gettysburg). Later on, two more runs would cross on a putout/error by Utica to give Boonville three runs for the game. Second baseman Jake Hatch (Emerson) picked up the other Lumberjacks RBI.
Utica’s offensive burst in the fourth inning gave them control of the game, with four runs being added to the scoreboard. It truly was a rally that saw all potential outcomes, with runs crossing due to wild pitches, putouts, walks, and errors. Another Utica run would come in in the sixth thanks to an RBI single from EH Kyuss Gargett (Kentucky), who had two hits and two RBI in the game. First baseman Josh Skowronski (Kentucky) also played great, reaching base three times and picking up the RBI for the final Utica run in the seventh.
Jordan Savinon (Felician) got the win for the Blue Sox, pitching the final four innings, allowing one earned run and striking out three.
Utica Blue Sox 16, Boonville Lumberjacks 0 (GAME 2)
Utica’s (20-10) most dominant overall performance of the season secured the doubleheader sweep over the Lumberjacks (10-25).
Utica’s bats would come to play in this game, as in this five inning contest they’d compile at least two runs each inning. Shortstop Andre Demetral (NIU) and center fielder Easton Brenner (Lafayette) each had three RBIs to lead the team.
In a day that ended not at all how they had hoped, the two Boonville hits came off the bats of third baseman Alex Angulo (Gettysburg) and DH Marcus Smith (McLennan CC).
The win for Utica went to Cole Syversen (St. Johns River State), who tossed four scoreless innings with three strikeouts.
Niagara Power 6, Batavia Muckdogs 3
Niagara (18-13-1) continued their playoff push in this big victory over the Muckdogs (21-12).
Batavia’s offense struck first in this contest, pushing across one run in each of the first two innings. In the first, a sac fly from EH Adam Agresti (St. John’s) put the Muckdogs up 1-0, and this was followed the next inning when left fielder Cristian Bernardini (St. John’s) crossed the plate. Batavia would add one more run in the sixth, but be held there.
For Niagara, first baseman Steve Merkel (NCCC) would have a huge day at the plate, going 4-4 with three RBIs, including a 2-run single in the bottom of the seventh inning to pad Niagara’s lead. Left fielder Andrew Fairbrother (Tiffin) also showed off his skills, reaching base three times and picking up an RBI.
Jackson Frey picked up the win for the Power, going three innings, allowing one earned run, and striking out three. Sam Worthen (D’Youville) picked up the save.
Amsterdam Mohawks 8, Glens Falls Dragons 2
The Mohawks (30-3-1) picked up their 30th victory of the season in dominant fashion over Glens Falls (11-19).
The two Dragons runs in this contest came in the top of the sixth, which all began with a solo home run by centerfielder Cory Listing (Coker), hit first homer of the season. Later on in the inning, DH Ryan Grace (Colby) would deliver with an RBI double.
Mohawks first baseman Luke Longo (NJIT) shined in this game, picking up two hits and two RBI. His 2-run single in the eighth helped to secure victory. Shortstop Marek Houston (Wake Forest) also lead the way for Amsterdam, picking up three hits.
Evan Siary (Mississippi State) got the win for Amsterdam, tossing six innings, giving up two runs, and striking out five.