Thursday saw three doubleheaders and three solo games get played, for a total of nine in action. While game one of the doubleheaders didn’t go as planned for half of those teams, those that lost were interestingly each able to come back and take control of game two.
Glens Falls Dragons 3, Saugerties Stallions 2 (GAME 1) – 7 INNINGS
The Dragons (12-20) rode a late-inning comeback to walk-off against Saugerties (18-15-1) in game one of the doubleheader.
The Stallions got on the scoreboard first in this contest, when third baseman Jack Lawrence (Towson) brought in a run on an RBI double. In the top of the fifth, the Saugerties offense would strike again, when centerfielder Andrew Amato’s (Delaware) contact tot the shortstop lead to an error, scoring Lawrence. Lawrence led the team with two hits, while Amato lead the team with two walks.
After falling behind 2-0 after five innings, the Dragons pulled closer in the sixth when a groundball by right fielder Odilio Cespedes (Bryant & Stratton) scored a run. Then, after holding the Stallions in the top of the seventh (the final inning for doubleheader games), they rallied in the bottom of the frame for the walk-off. An RBI single by first baseman Joe Harwood (Bryant & Stratton) tied the game at one, and the big hit came from catcher Kyle McNeff (UMass Dartmouth) to give Glens Falls the win.
Riley Orr (Castleton) started the game and pitched great for the Dragons, but Aidan Caron (Amherst) pitched the final two innings scoreless to earn the victory.
Saugerties Stallions 14, Glens Falls Dragons 0 (GAME 2) – 6 INNINGS
The Stallions (19-15-1) came back with a dominant performance in game two to split the doubleheader against the Dragons (12-21).
From the first inning, the Stallions grabbed hold of this game and owned it until the very end, scoring in each of the six innings that were played. Centerfielder Andrew Amato (Delaware) was the star hitting two home runs to now give him 13 for the summer. Second baseman Aaron Stelogeannis (Polk St.) and third baseman Samuel Hill (UMass) also came to play, each picking up three hits in the victory.
The Dragons had a tough day at the plate, failing to cross home in the game two matchup. Centerfielder Cory Listing (Coker) was responsible for both of the team’s hits, giving him three total hits in the doubleheader.
Bryce Reiner (Bucknell) picked up the win for Saugerties, pitching a dominant four scoreless innings with five strikeouts to earn his second consecutive victory.
Amsterdam Mohawks 9, Albany Dutchmen 5 (GAME 1) – 7 INNINGS
Amsterdam (33-3-1) took care of business in game one over Albany (15-19) thanks to a big fifth inning rally.
After a 0-0 score after three innings, Albany came through with the first run of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning on an RBI single by DH Brody Keneston (Le Moyne). The team would put up a few more in the fifth, largely thanks to a 2-run double by shortstop Vince Venditti (Saint Rose), but without much more to come aside from that, Albany wouldn’t be able to do enough on the offensive end to match the Mohawks.
Down 1-0, Amsterdam broke out in the fifth inning, putting up six runs to take control of the game. After already putting up three runs in the inning, a 2-run single by first baseman/catcher Luke Longo (NJIT) pushed the lead to 5-1, and an RBI single by first/third baseman Cam Gurney (Utah) gave them six runs for the game, all that they would need. Three more runs in the seventh, two of which were supplied by Longo, gave Amsterdam the very comfortable lead.
Maximilian Ramirez (Niagara) got the win for the Mohawks, pitching the first 4.1 innings of the game.
Albany Dutchmen 4, Amsterdam Mohawks 0 (GAME 2) – 7 INNINGS
The Dutchmen (16-19) came back to dominate game two against the Mohawks (33-4-1) and split the doubleheader.
After four scoreless innings, Albany took control of this one putting up a four spot in the fifth inning. After runs came in on a putout and pass balls, RBI singles from third baseman Will Binder (Albany) and catcher Brody Keneston (Le Moyne) gave Albany a 4-0 advantage. Binder led the team with two hits, reaching base three total times.
The Mohawks looked unlike their usual selves at the plate in game two, failing to bring home a run. Their lone hit came off the bat of shortstop Marek Houston (Wake Forest), who also had a walk.
After Albany’s Andrew Dongelewic (Stony Brook) pitched the first four innings scoreless, Devin Campbell (Oswego) came in for an inning to earn the win.
Jamestown Tarp Skunks 10, Elmira Pioneers 2 (GAME 1) – 7 INNINGS
Jamestown (20-13-1) used strong pitching and a big rally to take game one in Elmira (22-13-1).
Jamestown struck first in game one, taking a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the first. They’d then be slowed down, scoring one run over the next four innings, but break out with a big sixth inning. After an RBI single by catcher Evan Fragela (Pitt-Bradford) opened up the scoring in the inning, the Tarp Skunks would take advantage of Elmira errors and walks to put up five more in the inning. Shortstop Grady Mee (Western Michigan) was a big part of this, walking three times in the game.
Elmira cut the Jamestown lead to 2-1 in the bottom of the first on an RBI double by right fielder Cooper Smith (Tufts), but they’d stay fairly stagnant from then on. In the bottom of the sixth, an RBI single off the bat of DH John Schroeder (Florida Atlantic) gave them run number two, but they’d be held there. Schroeder led the team with three hits.
Kasey Gilman (Princeton) earned the win for the Tarp Skunks, pitching all seven innings, allowing two earned runs, and striking out six.
Elmira Pioneers 13, Jamestown Tarp Skunks 1 (GAME 2) – 6 INNINGS
Like the two other teams that lost game one of their doubleheaders on Thursday, Elmira (23-13-1) took control of game two against Jamestown (20-14-1) to secure the split.
After a 1-1 tie four innings in, Elmira decided they’d had enough and took control, putting up twelve runs in the next (and final) two frames. In the fifth, RBI hits from centerfielder Kam Levesque (Northern Essex CC) and catcher John Schroeder (Florida Atlantic) helped Elmira grab all momentum, and this would continue in the sixth when they took advantage of some sloppy pitching to essentially end the game. Levesque led the team with two hits, and Schroeder led the team with three RBIs.
Jamestown’s lone run came in the top of the second inning on an RBI single by right fielder Luc Fuller (Drury). The offense would be held in check right there, as the team’s bats essentially flipped between game one and game two.
Gardner Meeks (Roanoke) showed off his skills in this game, pitching six innings, giving up one run, and striking out eight to pick up his fourth win of the season.
Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs 6, Utica Blue Sox 4
After a tough first inning, the DiamondDawgs (22-14) took care of business against Utica (21-11) the rest of the way to pick up the win.
Utica started hot, putting up four runs in the top of the first in what looked like another Blue Sox win. An RBI single by first baseman Will Shannon (Hillsdale) and an RBI double by DH Josh Skowronski (Kentucky) highlighted their rally, but unfortunately for them, their scoring would be held there for the final eight innings.
After scoring one run in the first, The DiamondDawgs put up three in the third, highlighted by a 2-run single from third baseman Sam Miller (Columbia) to tie the game at four. In the bottom of the sixth, they’d ride this momentum and take the lead on an RBI double from DH Brady Shannon (Central Florida), who would later come home for run number six.
Colin Dowlen (Seton Hall) picked up the win for Mohawk Valley, tossing six innings, giving up four runs, and striking out four. Aidan Colagrande (Fairfield) came in for the final two innings to record the save, his fourth of the season.
Boonville Lumberjacks 2, Oneonta Outlaws 1
In this pitchers’ duel, Boonville (12-26) used a late clutch home run to secure the home victory over Oneonta (13-25).
Oneonta wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in this game, as shortstop Ryan Leary (Wagner) came home on a wild pitch to give the Outlaws an early lead. They’d be held right there, unable to cross home in the final eight frames. Third baseman Connor Roche (Wagner) made a strong contribution, picking up two hits.
After six scoreless innings, Boonville got a big boost in the bottom of the seventh, all that they’d need. With catcher Joshua Lopez (Thomas Jefferson) on base via a walk, first baseman Santiago Jimenez (Prince George CC) came up to the plate and chose the perfect time to smash his first home run of the season to give Boonville a 2-1 lead.
Jordan Goble (Herkimer CC) pitched great for Oneonta, tossing six scoreless innings with four strikeouts.
Anthony Vargas (Eastern Kentucky) picked up the win for Boonville, going eight innings, giving up one run, and striking out 11. After Vargas, Ben Bohlman (Colby CC) came in for the save, his second of the summer.
Geneva Red Wings 8, Newark Pilots 3
Geneva (9-25-1) used strong pitching and a couple of big-time offensive performances to win at home against Newark (9-23-1).
Newark began the scoring in the top of the first, thanks to an RBI single off the bat of first baseman Mitchell Kelly (Cortland). Later on, after adding one more in the fifth, the top of the eighth inning would begin with a homer from center fielder Frankie DiMartino (Hofstra), his first of the season.
Geneva had a few players come up big in this game, allowing them to put up eight run in the comfortable victory. First baseman Daniel Scolaro (Saint Anselm) hit his first home run of the season to do his part, but two other big bats had days to remember. Shortstop Dillon Can (NJIT) finished the day with two hits and three RBIs, while second baseman Jagger Nucci (St. Bonaventure) had a monster day, with three hits and five RBIs.
Carter Fink (Niagara U) picked up the win, pitching three scoreless innings in relief with four strikeouts.