Eight PGCBL contests were completed on Friday, including a doubleheader between the Blue Sox and the DiamondDawgs.
Utica Blue Sox 12, Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs 3 (Game 1) – 7 Innings
The Blue Sox (23-11) put up 10 runs in the bottom of the fourth inning on their way to a 12-3 win over the visiting DiamondDawgs (22-16) during game one of Friday’s doubleheader at Donovan Stadium.
In a battle between the second and third-placed teams in the East Division, the Blue Sox took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, then extended their lead to 11-0 in the fourth with seven hits during the frame, including two-run singles from first baseman Josh Skowronski (Kentucky), second baseman Peter Adams (Limestone), and catcher Greg Kopp (Hamilton), along with an RBI double from extra hitter Will Shannon (Hillsdale). Adams, Skowronski and Shannon each provided two hits, two runs batted in and a run scored.
Utica third baseman Norris McClure (Spring Hill), who is hitting .387 through 93 at bats this summer, was a perfect 4 for 4 at the plate with two runs scored and two runs batted in.
Left-handed starting pitcher Brandon Scott (Hillsdale) earned his second win of the summer for the Blue Sox after limiting the visitors to four hits, five walks and three runs with four strikeouts through the first five innings. Right-hander Greg Levin (Colby) recorded the final six outs for Utica while allowing one hits, zero walks and zero runs with a strikeout.
Mohawk Valley second baseman Corey Adams (William and Mary) recorded two hits and two RBI during the setback.
Utica Blue Sox 7, Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs 6 (Game 2) – 7 Innings
The Blue Sox completed the doubleheader sweep at home with the help of a five-run inning in the bottom of the sixth.
The DiamondDawgs took a 4-2 lead in the top of the fifth following an RBI single to right field from outfielder Brady Shannon (Central Florida), who finished the game with two hits and a game-high three runs batted in.
The Blue Sox answered in the sixth with the help of RBI singles from center fielder Easton Brenner (Lafayette) and shortstop Andre Demetral (NIU), plus a two-run double from extra hitter Pablo Santos (Rutgers).
Utica right-handed relief pitcher Brandon Millan (Fort Lauderdale) was credited with the win after throwing the fifth and sixth innings, then righty Kris Giangreco (Mount St. Mary’s) recorded the final three outs in the top of the seventh to earn his third save of the campaign.
Santos led the Blue Sox at the plate with three hits, two RBI and a run scored, while designated hitter Taylor Kaufman (Hamilton) added one hit, one walk and a team-best two runs scored.
MV catcher Brian Heckelman (Towson) tallied two walks, a base hit and a game-high three runs scored during the setback, while infielder Sam Miller (Columbia) contributed two hits, a walk and two runs scored.
Niagara Power 11, Elmira Pioneers 1
The Power (19-15-2) tallied six runs in the bottom of the eighth to end the contest via run rule and claim an 11-1 win over the visiting Elmira Pioneers (23-14-1) at Sal Maglie Stadium.
The Pioneers remain ahead of the Jamestown Tarp Skunks for second place in the West Division with a 0.618 winning percentage. The Power are just behind the Tarp Skunks in fourth place with a 0.556 winning percentage.
Niagara right-handed starting pitcher Bryan Aduddle (Canisius) secured his fourth victory of the summer after limiting the Pios to six hits, two walks and one unearned run with four strikeouts through the first five innings on Friday. Left-hander Vinny Cenname (East Stroudsburg) recorded three strikeouts in the sixth inning, then righty Alex Dzimian (D’Youville) tossed two scoreless innings.
Niagara second baseman Billy Morris (D’Youville) recorded three hits with two runs batted in, while left fielder Brett Johnson (Niagara County) provided a game-high three runs batted in, and first baseman Cal Brazier (Tiffin) tallied two hits, including his 15th double of the season, two walks, an RBI and two runs scored.
Elmira catcher Erik Charnetski (Elmira) recorded a team-best two hits.
Batavia Muckdogs 8, Newark Pilots 1
The Muckdogs (23-13) defeated the Pilots (9-24-1) at home on Friday to move ahead of the Elmira Pioneers (23-14) for first place in the West Division Standings.
Batavia broke the 0-0 tie on Friday with six runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, then they added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth after the Pilots scored their lone run of the contest in the top of the inning.
Batavia right-handed starting pitcher Jack Keeler (Fort Lauderdale) improved his record to 4-1 this summer after conceding just two hits, one walk and one run with seven strikeouts through the first six innings. Right-hander Ben Weber (Salve Regina) held the Pilots to zero hits, one walk and zero runs with three strikeouts in two innings in relief, then righty Garrett Beaver (Salisbury) recorded the final three outs for the Muckdogs in the top of the ninth.
Batavia left fielder Matt DeStefano (Stony Brook) recorded a game-high three hits during the win, while center fielder Cristian Bernardini (St. John’s) added two hits and two runs scored.
Albany Dutchmen 12, Glens Falls Dragons 0
The Dutchmen (17-19) scored in six of the first seven innings on Friday, and tallied six runs in the top of the sixth to end the game in the seventh via run rule and claim a 12-0 over the Dragons (12-22) at Glens Falls East Field.
Albany left-handed starting pitcher CJ Kuentzel (Iona) improved his record to 3-0 this summer after allowing five hits, two walks and zero runs with eight strikeouts through the first five innings, then right-hander Greg Shaw (Manhattan) tossed two scoreless innings in relief.
First baseman Will Binder (Albany) launched a solo home run to lead off the top of the third inning, and he finished the game with four runs scored. Catcher Tyler Kipp (Fairfield) delivered two hits and three runs batted in for the Dutchmen, while right fielder Josh Foglia (HVCC) tallied two hits, two runs scored and three RBI during the victory.
The Dutchmen are currently 3.5 games back of the Saugerties Stallions (20-15-1) for fourth place in the East Division.
Glens Falls designated hitter Ryan Grace (Colby) went 3 for 3 at the plate during the loss.
Saugerties Stallions 17, Oneonta Outlaws 0
With the help of a 10-run inning in the top of the sixth, the Stallions (20-15-1) defeated the Outlaws (13-26) in seven innings via run rule.
Saugerties right-handed starting pitcher Marko Gibbons (Marist) allowed two hits, two walks and zero runs with six strikeouts through the first four innings, then right-hander Izaiah Ayala (Mt. San Antonio) was credited with the win after tossing two scoreless innings in relief. Righty Jarek Woodward (Grand Canyon) recorded three strikeouts during a scoreless bottom of the seventh.
Saugerties second baseman Samuel Hill (UMass) registered two hits, two walks, two runs scored and three runs batted in during the win, while DH Jack Lawrence (Towson) provided one hit, two walks, one run and three RBI. Center fielder Andrew Amato (Delaware) contributed a triple, two walks, two RBI and three runs scored to the Stallions’ cause, while shortstop Alex Rodriguez (Mt. San Antonio) added two hits, one walk, one RBI and three runs scored.
The Stallions are currently in fourth place in the East Division Standings.
Watertown Rapids 6, Boonville Lumberjacks 4
The Rapids (13-25) claimed a 6-4 win over the Lumberjacks (12-27) at home on Friday in East Division action.
Watertown catcher David McCann (Virginia Tech) gave the Rapids an insurance run with a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the eighth, his fourth long ball of the summer. McCann finished the contest with two hits, an RBI and two runs scored. Left fielder Gaetan Grandelli (West Chester) contributed two hits, an RBI, a stolen base and a run scored.
Watertown right-handed starting pitcher tossed a complete game to earn the victory on Friday, allowing four hits, zero walks and three earned runs with nine strikeouts in nine innings of work.
Catcher Joshua Lopez (Thomas Jefferson) led Boonville at the plate with a two-run double and a run scored.
Auburn DoubleDays 2, Geneva Red Wings 1
The DoubleDays defeated the Red Wings in extra innings on Friday evening. Auburn extended its winning streak to six games and now sits just one game back of Niagara for fourth place in the West Division Standings.