Seven Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League contests were completed on Saturday, including a doubleheader between Albany and Boonville. Batavia and Mohawk Valley both competed in a non-league game to end the week, while the matchup between Saugerties and Glens Falls was postponed.
Niagara Power 13, Newark Pilots 6
For the second day in a row the Pilots and the Power squared off, and once again Niagara came away with the victory. The two sides battled at Niagara’s Sal Maglie Stadium on Saturday after playing at Newark’s Colburn Park on Friday.
After leading 6-4 after six innings on Saturday, the Power tallied seven runs in the bottom of the seventh to pull away for the 13-6 victory.
Niagara starting right-handed pitcher Brendan Morse (Niagara County) earned the win on the mound after allowing four hits, one walk and one earned run with seven strikeouts in 5.0 innings of work.
Right-hander Andrew Damiani (Niagara County) tossed the seventh and eighth innings in relief, holding the visitors to zero hits, zero runs and one walk with four strikeouts.
Second baseman Billy Morris (D’Youville) tallied a game-high three hits for the Power to go along with one walk, one RBI and two runs scored, while right fielder Jackson Strong (Canisius) recorded two runs, two hits, one walk and a game-high three runs batted in. Strong launched a two-run home run in the bottom of the third to make it 6-1 in favor of the Power, then extra hitter Steve Merkel smashed a three-run home run during Niagara’s seven-run inning in the seventh.
Newark catcher Jack Arcamone (Richmond) recorded a team-high two hits and an RBI during the setback, while first baseman Sean Lane (Hofstra) hit a solo home run in the top of the fourth.
The Power (4-2) will play at home again on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. against Jamestown, while Newark (0-6) will return to action on Sunday at 4:05 p.m. at Auburn.
Utica Blue Sox 6, Watertown Rapids 1
The Blue Sox (3-5) tallied three runs in the top of the fifth and received stellar pitching from their bullpen to register a 6-1 win on the road against the Rapids (3-6).
Left-hander Holden de Jong (NJIT) started on the mound for Utica and allowed three hits, one run and one walk with two strikeouts in 4.0 innings of work.
Right-hander Trey Sejnoha (St. Thomas) pitched a scoreless bottom of the fifth, then righty Daniel Jirgal (Hamilton) entered the game to begin the bottom of the sixth. Jirgal was credited with the win after conceding two hits, zero runs and one walk with one strikeout over the next 2.0 innings. Utica’s Kris Giangreco (Mount St. Mary’s) pitched a 1-2-3 inning with three strikeouts in the bottom of the eighth, and righty Avery Cook (Purdue) did the same in the bottom of the ninth to secure the win.
Extra hitter Ben Partridge (Rockland) led Utica at the plate with a game-high three hits and a game-high two runs scored. Partridge also stole two bases during the victory, giving him five stolen bases on the season.
Right fielder Taylor Kaufman (Hamilton) added two hits and a run scored to the Utica cause, while designated hitter Ryan Rifenberg (Fort Lauderdale) delivered an RBI single in the top of the second.
The two sides will play again on Monday at 6:45 p.m. at Utica’s Donovan Stadium. Prior to that, Watertown will host Amsterdam on Sunday for a 5:00 p.m. first pitch.
Jamestown Tarp Skunks 14, Geneva Red Wings 6
The Tarp Skunks (4-1) used a seven-run inning in the bottom of the seventh to pull away from the Red Wings (1-4) on Saturday at Jamestown’s Diethrick Park.
The Tarp Skunks currently have the best winning percentage in the West Division.
Jamestown right-hander Jason Masick (Wagner) was credited with the win on Saturday after allowing zero hits, one run and two walks with one strikeout in 1.2 innings pitched in relief. Lefty Evan Chaffee (Alabama) relieved Masick to begin the top of the eighth and he tossed a scoreless inning, then right-hander Patrick DeMarco (Ohio) struck out two batters and stranded three on base during a scoreless top of the ninth to secure the win for Jamestown.
Jamestown catcher Henry Juan (Williams) went 3 for 4 at the plate with two runs scored during the victory, while right fielder Brayden Johnson (Western Kentucky) tallied two hits, two walks and four runs batted in, including a two-run double during Jamestown’s seven-run inning. Johnson also stole two bases, giving him six in total this season. Left fielder Zack Kent (Wagner) also recorded a two-run double in the bottom of the seventh, and he finished the contest with three RBI and two runs scored for the Tarp Skunks. Designated hitter Jared Muñoz added one hit, one RBI, two walks, a hit by pitch and a game-high three runs scored to the Jamestown cause.
Geneva first baseman Daniel Scolaro (Saint Anselm) went 3 for 4 at the plate during the setback, while right fielder Parker Walsh (Lafayette) delivered a two-run double in the top of the third which tied the game at 2-2. Center fielder Nate Milk (Niagara) finished the game with one hit, two walks, one hit by pitch, two runs scored and three stolen bases for the Red Wings.
Jamestown will play a 4:05 p.m. game at Elmira on Sunday, while the Red Wings will host Batavia on Sunday at 5:05 p.m.
Amsterdam Mohawks 4, Oneonta Outlaws 1
For the second time this season the Mohawks (7-0) claimed a hard-fought 4-1 win over the Outlaws (3-4). Amsterdam previously bested the Outlaws by a score of 4-1 at Oneonta’s Damaschke Field on June 5. On Saturday at Amsterdam’s Shuttleworth Park, the Mohawks got a great outing from left-handed pitcher Tyler Sausville (New Haven) and a great day at the plate from the reigning PGCBL Player of the Year Gage Miller (Bishop State) to take down the Outlaws.
Sausville allowed just two hits, one walk and zero runs with eight strikeouts in 6.0 innings to improve to 2-0 on the season. Right-hander Jack Seppings (Brown) struck out four hitters in 1.1 scoreless innings in relief, then Amsterdam’s Jack Brodsky (Tampa) recorded two strikeouts during a scoreless top of the ninth to earn the save.
Miller, Amsterdam’s second baseman and leadoff hitter, tallied two home runs, two walks, three runs scored and three RBI during the team’s seventh consecutive victory to begin the season. Miller launched a solo home run in the bottom of the first, then a two-run home run in the bottom of the third to give him three long balls on the season, tying Albany’s Vince Venditti for most home runs among PGCBL players. Miller’s 11 total RBI are second most in the league behind Mohawk Valley’s Mitch Balint’s 14. Right fielder Zach Eldred (Brockport) added two hits to the Amsterdam cause on Saturday.
Oneonta designated hitter Caden Marsters (Erskine) produced a team-high two hits during the setback. Marsters is currently batting .526 through six games played for the Outlaws.
Oneonta starting right-handed pitcher Andrew Rubayo (Quinnipiac) completed 7.0 innings of work for the Outlaws, limiting the defending champs to four runs, seven hits and two walks with four strikeouts.
The Mohawks are now 7-0 to begin the 2023 campaign. Last season, Amsterdam won their first eight games of the campaign before suffering their first loss to Mohawk Valley.
Amsterdam will travel to Watertown on Sunday for a 5:00 p.m. matchup against the Rapids. Oneonta will play a 7:00 p.m. game at Glens Falls on Sunday.
Elmira Pioneers 3, Auburn DoubleDays 2
The Pioneers and the DoubleDays battled into extra innings on Saturday, then Elmira’s Dom Presto (Florida Atlantic) delivered a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the tenth to drive in Kam Levesque (Northern Essex) and give the Pioneers a 3-2 walk-off victory at Dunn Field.
Elmira right-handed relief pitcher Christian Zilli (Seton Hill) was credited with the win after tossing a scoreless top of the tenth. Right-hander Max Zentil (Ottawa) started on the mound for the Pioneers and allowed three hits, zero runs and one walk with four strikeouts in 6.2 innings of work. Prior to Zilli entering the game to begin extra innings, righty Brendan Ferrari (UMass Boston) tallied four strikeouts in 1.1 innings while allowing zero hits, zero runs and zero walks.
Right fielder Cooper Smith (Northern Essex) recorded two doubles and an RBI for the Pioneers on Saturday, while designated hitter Aidan Blake (UMass Boston) contributed one hit, one run and one walk.
During his second start of the season for Auburn, left-handed pitcher Jake Danyluk (Oswego) held the home team to four hits, one run and one walk with six strikeouts in 5.0 innings of work. Lefty Huxley Holcombe (Cornell) surrendered one hit, one run and one walk with four strikeouts in 3.0 innings in relief.
The DoubleDays tied the game at 2-2 in the top of the eighth with the help of an RBI single from shortstop Harrison Campi (Wofford).
Saturday was the second meeting of the season between the two sides. The DoubleDays previously claimed an 18-8 victory at home over the Pioneers on June 4.
Elmira (4-2) will return to action on Sunday when they host Jamestown at Dunn Field at 4:05 p.m.
Auburn (3-2) will return home to host Newark on Sunday at 4:05 p.m.
Game 1: Boonville Lumberjacks 5, Albany Dutchmen 3…. Game 2: Albany Dutchmen 7, Boonville Lumberjacks 1
The Dutchmen and the Lumberjacks split their doubleheader on Saturday at Dutchmen Field Keenholts Park. Both games were seven-inning contests.
Game 1:
The Lumberjacks scored three runs in the top of the seventh in game one to take a 5-3 victory. Designated htiter Matthew Layton (Spartan Methodist) put the Lumberjacks in front with a two-out two-run single in the top of the seventh, and left-handed pitcher Griff Minor (Stillman) earned the save after tossing a scoreless bottom of the seventh. Right-hander Jacob Phillips (Guilford) started on the mound for Boonville and allowed seven hits, three runs and four walks with three strikeouts in 6.0 innings of work. Through three appearances this summer Phillips holds a 2-0 record with a save.
Boonville left fielder Dom Jackson (Xavier) gave the Lumberjacks a 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth with a two-out solo home run.
Albany center fielder Vince Venditti (Saint Rose) tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the sixth with a solo home run to lead off the inning. The Dutchmen took their first lead later in the frame on an RBI single from extra hitter Tyler Kipp (Fairfield). Venditti finished the game with two runs, two hits, an RBI, a walk and a stolen base, while shortstop Donavan Canterberry (Xavier) contributed a run, an RBI and a game-high three hits. Venditti’s three home runs are tied for the most in the PGCBL, and he leads the league with nine stolen bases through seven games played.
Albany right-handed starting pitcher Derek Duval (Post) compiled 13 strikeouts in 5.2 innings on Saturday and allowed five hits, one earned run and one walk.
Game 2:
The Dutchmen bounced back in game two of Saturday’s doubleheader by scoring three runs in the bottom of the fourth, one in the fifth and three more in the sixth. After Boonville broke the 0-0 tie with a run in the top of the first, the Dutchmen kept their opponent scoreless for the final six frames.
Third baseman Brody Keneston (Le Moyne) recorded two hits, two runs batted in and a run scored for Albany during the victory, while Kipp delivered a two-run double in the bottom of the fourth. Venditti and right fielder JT Vance (Mississippi) both also added two hits during the win.
Albany starting pitcher David James (USC Upstate) allowed three hits, one run and two walks with eight strikeouts in 6.0 innings of work to improve his record to 2-0 this season, then righty Ryan Pittz (UAlbany) tossed a scoreless top of the seventh with two strikeouts to end the game and secure the win for the Dutchmen.
Third baseman Hugo Kohnhorst (Mineral Area) drove in Boonville’s lone run with a double in the top of the first. Right-hander Eli Snelson (Union) pitched all 6.0 innings for Boonville on Saturday and tallied eight strikeouts against five walks.
Boonville will travel to Mohawk Valley on Sunday for a 5:00 p.m. matchup against the DiamondDawgs, while Albany will play a 6:35 p.m. game at Saugerties on Sunday.
Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs 9, Albany Athletics 4
The DiamondDawgs prevailed in a non-league game on Sunday. Mohawk Valley will return to action on Sunday when they host Boonville at 5:00 p.m.
Batavia Muckdogs 11, Buffalo Diesel 0
The Muckdogs claimed a win in non-PGCBL action on Sunday. Batavia will travel to Geneva on Sunday for a 5:05 p.m. matchup against the Red Wings.