Saturday night across the league was highlighted by another showdown between the East’s top teams and a doubleheader between Utica and Mohawk Valley. Here’s what happened.
Batavia Muckdogs 9, Niagara Power 10
The Power were the chasers for much of the game. Niagara fell behind in the first inning after an RBI single by Kyle Corso (Columbia) and then again in the third inning on a 2-RBI single by Gavin Schrader (Niagara). The Power gained a short-lived lead in the seventh after Billy Morris (DYouville) drove in AJ Kinney (Fredonia State) but found themselves trailing in the ninth. Morris hit a game-tying single to send the game to extras, and then Scottie OBryan scored in the tenth to secure the win. Morris finished the game with five RBIs.
Utica Blue Sox 9, Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs 1 (Game One)
Mohawk Valley took an early lead at Veterans Memorial Park thanks to an RBI single by Alfredo Delgado (Manhattan College). Utica shut down the DiamondDawgs attack from that point forward, only allowing two hits and striking out six batters. Utica put the game out of reach in the fifth inning. Leading by one run, an RBI single by Will King (Eastern Kentucky) preceded a Dewey Roden (Le Moyne) two-run home run, the start of a seven-run frame for the Blue Sox. Utica’s Brandon Peterson (NJIT) received the win, going five innings before two no-hit innings for Bryce Brownlee (Army West Point).
Utica Blue Sox 3, Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs 4 (Game Two)
In the first inning, Utica and Mohawk Valley traded sacrifice flies from Delgado and Edwin Tavarez (Felician). In the third inning, Tavarez and Ryan Maka (Valparaiso) drove in runs, giving Utica the lead. Still trailing in the sixth inning, Mohawk Valley rallied for three runs and the lead. Richie Sica (Rider) went two for three in the win. Chris Palmer (College of Saint Rose) received the win after three one-hit innings of relief. With a doubleheader split, Mohawk Valley remains one game above .500.
Newark Pilots 6, Watertown Rapids 7
Newark took over in the early portion of the game, with RBI singles from Michael Doyle (NJIT), Matt Fabian (Ithica), TJ Werner (Fairleigh Dickinson), and Thai Morgan (Emerson). The Pilots held the lead into the eighth inning. Trailing by two, Colin Hageman (UW-Stout) hit a game-tying double. Clay Grady (Virginia Tech) scored the winning run after reaching base with a triple in the following inning. Derrike Goutremout (Utica) received the winning decision for his three innings of relief. Fabian starred for Newark, driving in three runs.
Elmira Pioneers 12, Jamestown Tarp Skunks 2
Elmira took advantage of traffic on the basepath in the second inning when Lucas Phelps (Florida Atlantic) scored on a fielder’s choice. Richard King (Florida State – Jacksonville) allowed six runners on base during his start. Leading by three, the Pioneers scored four runs in the eighth and five in the ninth, putting the game out of reach. Phelps scored three runs in a two-for-four performance. Pioneer Tristan Ciampa (Northern Essex CC) pitched into the eighth inning, allowing two runs and striking out four. Ciampa’s ERA drops to 2.79 with the win.
Amsterdam Mohawks 6, Albany Dutchmen 3
Amsterdam got on the board with an RBI single by Cade Bush (Florida State) and built it to a four-run lead before Albany could respond. Von Baker (Cornell) struggled to find the zone, allowing Danny Rogers (Central Connecticut State) and Matt Bergevin (Fairfield) to score. Nick Schwartz (Southern New Hampshire) drove in another run in the eighth to cut Albany’s deficit to one. Connor Moore’s (Florida State) two-run home run put the game away for Amsterdam as they pulled out their 28th win. Collin Brougham (South Alabama) received the win after five shutout innings in his second start of the season.
Geneva Red Wings 5, Auburn DoubleDays 2
Geneva took control of the game with a home run by Nick Serce (Alfred State) and two runs off an Andrew Whinney (Holy Cross) sacrifice fly. After another Geneva run in the sixth, Auburn mounted their best attempt at a comeback. Andrew Tan (Binghamton) added an RBI double in the sixth, and Ryan Cesarini drove in Michael Cervantes (Univ. Louisiana Monroe) in the ninth. This was all the offense Auburn could muster as Jack Eshleman (Hamilton) lined up for the win with seven innings and one earned run.
Saugerties Stallions 5, Oneonta Outlaws 6
Oneonta took advantage of a rocky start from Saugerties’ Jake Kolkhorst (TCU) to put up six runs. Kolkhorst lasted less than three innings and allowed eleven runners to reach base. The Stallions pushed back in the seventh inning, getting two runs off Logan Kaufman before Ryan Myles came in to get the save. Dylan Perry was a significant contributor, driving in half of the Outlaws’ runs. On the other side, Easton Bertrand (Minnesota) went two for five with a triple and three RBIs.
Sunday’s Schedule:
Jamestown at Niagara: 1 pm
Utica at Watertown: 5 pm
Elmira at Geneva: 5:05 pm
Auburn at Newark: 5:05 pm
Saugerties at Glens Falls: 7 pm