Two East Division contests were completed on Monday. The following games scheduled for Monday were postponed due to weather: Albany Dutchmen vs. Booneville Lumberjacks; Saugerties Stallions vs. Oneonta Outlaws; Jamestown Tarp Skunks vs. Newark Pilots.
Utica Blue Sox 7, Watertown Rapids 4
The Blue Sox (8-8) defeated the Rapids (6-12) at Watertown’s Alex T. Duffy Fairgrounds Stadium on Monday with the help of a five-run inning in the top of the fourth.
Utica second baseman Ben Partridge (Rockland) launched a three-run home run in the top of the fourth and finished the contest with two hits, a game-high two runs scored, a stolen base and a game-high three runs batted in. Partridge now has two home runs this summer with the Blue Sox, and he is slashing .463/.577/.659 through 13 games played. Designated hitter Pablo Santos (Rutgers) delivered a two-run single for the Blue Sox in the top of the fourth, and he crossed the plate following Partridge’s home run.
Third baseman Norris McClure (Spring Hill) added two hits to the Utica cause.
Utica left-handed starting pitcher Cole Syversen (Valparaiso) earned the win on the mound after limiting the home team to two hits, one walk and two runs with four strikeouts through the first 4.0 innings. Right-hander Kris Giangreco (Mount St. Mary’s) recorded the final nine outs for the Blue Sox to secure the victory and record his first save of the campaign.
Watertown and Utica each hold a 2-2 record against one another this season. The East Division foes will face off again on Tuesday in Utica.
Amsterdam Mohawks 13, Glens Falls Dragons 1
For the second time this summer, the Mohawks (18-1) are on a nine-game winning streak. The defending champs scored early and often on Monday at Shuttleworth Park to claim a win over the Dragons (6-10) in seven innings via run rule.
The Mohawks scored at least one run in all seven innings during the victory to improve their record to 18-1. The two nine-game winning streaks sandwich the team’s lone loss to Mohawk Valley on June 15.
The Mohawks are in first place in the East Division Standings, and they are four games ahead of the second place DiamondDawgs.
Amsterdam infielder Mason Swinney (Alabama) had an incredible day at the plate for the Mohawks on Monday. Swinney went 4 for 4 with three home runs, a triple, four runs scored and six runs batted in. Swinney smashed a solo home run in the bottom of the second, then he led off the bottom of the fourth with a triple, which preceded another solo home run to lead off the bottom of the sixth. Swinney finished his day with a grand slam “walk-off” home run in the bottom of the seventh, as his third long ball put the Mohawks up by 12 runs, which ended the contest via run rule.
Swinney’s college teammate, Amsterdam catcher/extra hitter Jaxson West (Alabama) had a fun day at the plate as well for the Mohawks. West recorded three doubles, a walk, three runs scored, and three runs batted in during the victory.
Amsterdam starting pitcher Evan Siary (Mississippi State) earned the win on the mound after holding the visitors to four hits, zero walks and one run with seven strikeouts in 5.0 innings of work. Right-hander Maximilian Ramirez (Niagara) threw 2.0 perfect innings in relief with four strikeouts to close out the win.
Glens Falls extra hitter Cam Kelly (Kalamazoo) recorded a team-high two hits during the setback, including a solo home run in the top of the fifth.
The Mohawks are now 3-0 against the Dragons this summer. The two sides will play again at Glens Falls on July 4.
Amsterdam head coach Keith Griffin is approaching 500 victories as the leader of the Mohawks. The victory over Glens Falls was win #497 for the Mohawks with Griffin at the helm.