Albany Dutchmen 6, Glens Falls Dragons 1 (GAME 1)
In game one of the doubleheader, the Dutchmen (9-16) showed a strong combination of offense and pitching in this victory over Glens Falls (10-13).
After a scoreless top of the first, Albany took the lead in the bottom of the inning thanks to a steal of home by centerfielder Vince Venditti (Saint Rose).
The Albany offense then came alive in the fifth to score three more runs on a Venditti RBI single, followed by a two-run single by catcher Tyler Kipp (Fairfield). The Dutchmen would then add on two more the next inning on a two-run home run by DH Nick Blue (Manhattan) to give Albany 6 runs for the game.
The long Glens Falls run came on an Albany error in the top of the sixth when Dragons’ left fielder Michael Pratte (Maine) crossed the plate.
Danny Iglesias (St. Thomas) picked up the win for Albany, pitching two scoreless innings with three strikeouts.
Niagara Power 12, Jamestown Tarp Skunks 2
Niagara (12-8-1) played their best baseball against Jamestown (13-9-1) in this West Division matchup that could be crucial for playoff positioning.
After jumping out to a 4-1 lead after four innings, the Power tacked on six more runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a big lead. This all started with a two-run single by third baseman Billy Morris (D’Youville), who finished with an impressive 5 RBI for the game. Two more would then come in on a double by first baseman Cal Brazier (Tiffin), which was followed by another two runs to put Niagara up 10-1.
Jamestown’s top hitter was EH Jake Kernodle (Princeton), who finished 2-3 with an RBI. The RBI came on a single in the top of the fourth.
The winning pitcher for the Power was Zak Fike (Niagara CCC), who tossed six innings of one-run ball, striking out three to build on his impressive season.
Saugerties Stallions 5, Mohawk Valley Diamonddawgs 0
The Stallions (12-10) picked up a big win over Mohawk Valley (17-10) with their pitching leading the way.
The Stallions were able to jump out to a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning, which was highlighted by an RBI double by left fielder Ethan Conrad (Marist), who finished with 2 hits for the game. They then scored another three runs in the ninth inning, with the big hit a two-run single by right fielder Conor Kelly (UMass Lowell).
Mohawk Valley’s top hitter for the game was shortstop Justin Hackett (Bryant), who had two hits.
Stallions’ Gavon Wray (Georgia Southern) got the win, going six shutout innings with seven strikeouts.
Elmira Pioneers 3, Auburn Doubledays 2
Elmira (14-9) improved on their impressive season in a close matchup with Auburn (10-13).
Elmira struck first in the bottom of the second inning with an RBI single by right fielder Sam Levesque (Northern Essex CC). They then added on to this lead in the fourth inning on two sacrifice flies, one of them scoring DH John Schroeder (Florida Atlantic), who had two hits for the game.
Auburn put up two runs in the top of the sixth, on two RBI singles, one by EH Bobby Stang (Georgia Southern), and one by left fielder Garrett Prosper (Pitt-Johnstown). This wouldn’t be enough, and the score would hold right there.
Max Zentil (Ottawa) was the winning pitcher for Elmira, going 5.1 innings, with two earned runs and two strikeouts. Christian Zilli (Seton Hill) picked up the save, pitching the final 3.2 innings.
Utica Blue Sox 7, Amsterdam Mohawks 6
Utica (11-10) handed Amsterdam (25-2) just their second loss of the season in an impressive win.
Utica had an impressive day hitting the ball, scoring runs in four innings, including four runs in the seventh. First baseman Will Shannon (Hillsdale) lead the way with three hits and two RBI, including a walk-off single. The walk-off scored EH Norris McClure (Spring Hill), who finished with two hits and two runs scored.
Amsterdam’s first baseman Luke Longo (NJIT) lead their offense, collecting two hits and 3 RBI. Mohawks third baseman Maximus Martin (Rutgers) had tow this and 2 RBI.
The winning pitcher for Utica was Brandon Millan (Fort Lauderdale), who pitched the final 3.2 innings scoreless in the big win.
Boonville Lumberjacks 3, Watertown Rapids 2
A big ninth inning comeback fueled Boonville (7-17) to an exciting win over Watertown (8-17).
The offense began for Watertown in the top of the third, when a sacrifice fly scored third baseman Brett Myers (Oswego) to give the Rapids a 1-0 lead. They then added on to this a while later in the top of the ninth on a home run by shortstop Nick Mazzotta (Farleigh Dickinson) to take a 2-0 lead.
This lead wouldn’t last long, as Boonville would come up big in the bottom of the ninth to score three runs and win the game. After the first run scored on an error, a couple of more errors brought home two more, and pinch runner Jack Gazdacka (Ottawa University Arizona) touched the plate to win the game. Centerfielder Eli Snelson (Union) and left fielder Matthew Layton (Spartan Methodist) each had two hits for Boonville.
Anthony Vargas (Eastern Kentucky) pitched the first six innings with no earned runs for the Lumberjacks, but Connor Brinson (North Greenville) picked up the win.
Batavia Muckdogs 5, Geneva Red Wings 0
The Muckdogs (18-8) picked up another win in an impressive showing against Geneva (5-16).
All five runs for the Muckdogs came in the ninth inning in this one, highlighted by a two-run single by first baseman Henry Daniels (West Georgia). Third baseman/shortstop Lucas Lopez (St. Thomas) picked up two hits for the Muckdogs.
Centerfielder Parker Walsh (Lafayette) lead the Geneva offense with two hits.
Batavia’s Jack Keeler (Fort Lauderdale) was impressive in this game, pitching seven shutout innings with six strikeouts. However, Michael Pedraza (Kentucky State) picked up the win in relief.
Glens Falls Dragons 2, Albany Dutchmen 0 (GAME 2)
This pitchers duel lead to a Dragons (10-13) victory over Albany (9-16) to split the doubleheader.
The first run of the game for Glens Falls came on an RBI single in the top of the sixth by second baseman Johan Sandoval (Bryant & Stratton). They then added on one more the next inning, thanks to an RBI double from first baseman Joe Harwood (Bryant & Stratton).
The Albany offense had a tough game, with left fielder Anthony Paskell (Rider) and right fielder Anderson Moreno (SNHU) picking up their two team hits.
The Glens falls pitching was fantastic, with Billy Canale (Le Moyne), Riley Orr (Castleton), and Jesse Kuzmich (Sant Rose) combining for the shutout. Orr got the win, while Kuzmich got the save.