(article photo taken by Barbara and Blake Paserk – @blinkofaneyephotosblakenbarb)

Game 1: Albany Dutchmen 13, Watertown Rapids 1… Game 2: Albany 6, Watertown 3

(By: Albany front office) – The home opener for the Albany Dutchmen was exactly what you would hope for: a doubleheader sweep over the visiting Watertown Rapids, kicked off by a 13-1, run-rule victory in 6 innings. The Dutchmen got on the board early as St. Rose CF Vince Venditti hit a leadoff home run on the first pitch he saw. While that was the only run scored in the 1st inning, Albany followed that up with another in the 3rd, 3 more in the 4th, and finally 8 runs in the 6th, helping draw a mercy in an already shortened 7 inning game.

Aside from Venditti’s work at the plate, which included 4 RBIs, he was extremely active on the base paths, swiping all 4 bags he attempted, and putting new head coach Jordan Bernacet’s crew in scoring position multiple times. Albany went 7/7 as a team around the diamond and, in the box, 6 different players recorded RBIs, including Xavier SS Donovan Canterberry with 3; two of which resulted in the game ending run-rule victory.

The Dutchmen kept their winning ways going into game two of the doubleheader, defeating the Rapids 6-3.  After falling behind 1-0 in the first inning, a walk by Venditti and double by Canterberry would set up Herkimer’s Tre Mariano to blast a two-run double to deliver the Dutchmen the lead, 2-1.

The score would remain 2-1 before Korson Hastings’ (Trinity University) RBI single in the fourth inning and Tyler Kipp’s (Fairfield) two-run single in the fifth.  The Rapids got two runs back in the sixth inning, but Vince Venditti added an RBI single for insurance in the 7th.

The Dutchmen got a dominant relief pitching performance from Clayton Jackson (Trinity University) who replaced starter Jacob Maurer (Lafayette).  Jackson came in the fourth inning and got the first six batters he faced out.  Through three innings Jackson had six strikeouts. Warner University’s Brayden Childress closed the game for the Dutchmen, retiring the Rapids in four batters to get the save.

The Dutchmen will continue their winning season tomorrow night in Saugerties. First pitch from Cantine Field is scheduled for 5:00PM.  The Dutchmen return home to Dutchmen Field at Keenholts Park on Monday at 6:35PM against the Glens Falls Dragons.

Amsterdam Mohawks 9, Saugerties Stallions 1

The Mohawks scored seven runs in the bottom of the third inning against the Stallions to cruise to their third consecutive victory to being their title defense. In three contests so far in 2023, the Mohawks have allowed just three runs in total.

On Saturday the Mohawks got a great start from right-handed pitcher Evan Siary (Mississippi State) who earned the win after holding the Stallions to just one hit, one run and one walk with five strikeouts in 5.0 innings of work. Right-hander Joe Gold (Boston College) allowed just one hit, two walks and zero runs during the sixth and seventh frames, then righty Jack Seppings (Brown) conceded just one walk, zero hits and zero runs with four strikeouts during the final two innings for Amsterdam to close out the victory.

Amsterdam second baseman Gage Miller (Bishop State) was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the bottom of the third to break the 0-0 tie, then later in the inning left fielder Dakota Duffalo (Utah) hammered a grand slam home run to make it 7-0 in favor of the home team. Duffalo finished the contest with two hits and a game-high four RBI. Miller, who had seven home runs for the Mohawks in 2022 on his way to being named PGCBL Player of the Year, launched his first home run of the 2023 campaign with two outs and nobody on base in the bottom of the seventh, extending his team’s lead to 8-1.

Saugerties shortstop Aaron Stelogeannis (Polk State) and extra hitter Eli Small (Kentucky) both recorded a hit for the Stallions during the setback, while center fielder Evan Dieter (St. Bonaventure) scored the team’s lone run. Right-handed pitcher Xavier Rodriguez (Webber) started on the mound for the Stallions and allowed just one hit, zero runs and zero walks with three strikeouts through the first 2.0 innings.

The Stallions (0-1) will return to action on Sunday to play their home opener at Cantine Field against the Albany Dutchmen (2-1) at 7:05 p.m.

Oneonta Outlaws 7, Utica Blue Sox 6 (10 innings)

The Outlaws and Blue Sox battled into extra innings on Saturday after the Blue Sox tied the game at 6-6 in the bottom of the ninth, but the Outlaws scored the winning run in the top of the tenth to claim a 7-6 victory in their season opener. Right-handed starting pitcher Kyle Mahady (Saint Peter’s) went 7.0 innings for the Outlaws and allowed just two earned runs, while second baseman Brody Raleigh (Western Carolina) and center fielder Logan Haskell (Binghamton) each scored three runs for Oneonta. Haskell added two hits and two runs batted in during the victory.

Haskell was placed on second base to begin the top of the tenth due to the international tie breaker rule, then he advanced to third on a balk. Third baseman Connor Roche (Wagner) drove in Haskell with a sacrifice fly to the outfield.

Norris McClure (Spring Hill) went 5-5 at the plate for the Blue Sox with two runs scored and an RBI, while right-handed starting pitcher Avery Cook (Purdue) allowed zero hits, one earned run and two walks with six strikeouts during the first 4.0 innings.

The Outlaws will be back in action on Sunday when they travel to Glens Falls for a 7:00 p.m. matchup with the Dragons. The Blue Sox (1-2) will play at Boonville on Sunday at 5:00 p.m.

Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs 18, Boonville Lumberjacks 7

The DiamondDawgs claimed their first victory of the 2023 campaign at Boonville on Saturday with the help of five RBI each from catcher Mitch Balint (Carson-Newman) and third baseman Sam Miller (Columbia). Balint also tallied a game-high four hits and a game-high four runs scored, while Miller added three hits and a run scored. Left fielder Owen Pincince (New Haven) recorded three hits, two runs scored and an RBI for Mohawk Valley.

After the Lumberjacks took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, the DiamondDawgs scored six runs in the top of the third to take the lead with the help of a two-run double from Balint, and a two-run triple from Miller.  First baseman Brian Heckelman (Towson) and right fielder Mark Darakjy (St. Bonaventure) both also drove in a run in the third for MV on an RBI single and a sacrifice fly, respectively.

The DiamondDawgs kept their foot on the gas after taking the lead in the third, tallying two runs in the fourth, three in the fifth, three more in the sixth, one in the seventh and three in the eighth before ending the contest via run rule.

Extra hitter Eli Snelson (Union) and right fielder Darnell Guerrero (Alliance) both provided two hits for the Lumberjacks, while third baseman Alex Angulo (Gettysburg) recorded a team-high two RBI.

Right-handed pitcher Aidan Colagrande (Fairfield) earned the win on the mound for the DiamondDawgs after limiting the Lumberjacks to four hits, one run, and three walks with four strikeouts in 3.1 innings in relief (he replaced the starting pitcher with two outs in the bottom of the third).

Mohawk Valley (1-1) will remain on the road for a 5:00 p.m. matchup at Watertown on Sunday. The Lumberjacks will remain home for a 5:00 p.m. matchup against Utica on Sunday.

Batavia Muckdogs 5, Elmira Pioneers 4

In a thrilling contest at Batavia’s Dwyer Stadium, the Muckdogs scored the tying and go-ahead runs in the bottom of the eighth, then held the Pioneers scoreless in the top of the ninth to earn their first victory of the 2023 campaign. It was the second meeting in as many days for the two West Division foes, as the Pioneers earned an 11-9 win over the Muckdogs on Friday.

Both starting pitchers delivered quality starts for their squad on Saturday evening. Elmira’s 6’4” right-hander Max Zentil (Ottawa) allowed two hits, three runs and four walks with four strikeouts in 6.0 innings of work, while his counterpart for Batavia, 6’5” righty Julian Pichardo also went 6.0 innings while limiting the Pioneers to five hits, two runs and zero walks with eight strikeouts.

The Pioneers trailed 3-2 after seven innings, then designated hitter Aidan Blake (UMass Boston) tied the game with an RBI single to center field, and catcher John Schroeder (Florida Atlantic) gave Elmira the lead with a sacrifice fly to right field.

The Muckdogs loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the eighth, and center fielder Anthony Calabro (West Georgia) provided a clutch base hit to right field, driving in two runs and giving his team a 5-4 advantage. Elmira put runners on second and third with one out in the top of the ninth, but Batavia right-handed relief pitcher Trey Bacon (Santa Fe) recorded a big strikeout and an infield popout to end the game and earn the save.

Batavia (1-1), who unveiled their 2022 West Division Championship banner prior to Saturday’s home opener, will remain at home for a 4:05 matchup against Niagara on Sunday, while Elmira (1-1) will travel to Auburn to take on the DoubleDays on Sunday at 4:05 p.m.

Jamestown Tarp Skunks 13, Newark Pilots 6

The two West Division squads were competing in their season opener on Saturday, with the visiting Tarp Skunks coming out on top with a seven-run victory led by a strong performance from their bullpen and a great night at the plate from second baseman Tommy Googins (Princeton). Googins tallied three hits, two runs and a game-high four runs batted in, while Jamestown shortstop Grady Mee (Western Michigan) and catcher Henry Juan (Williams) both also registered three hits. Mee added three runs scored, and Juan contributed two RBI. Jamestown left-handers Evan Chaffee (Alabama) and Tony DeLawrence (Barton) both tossed 1.0 scoreless inning in relief, while lefty Andrew Ayers (St. Bonaventure) allowed just one hit, zero runs and one walk with three strikeouts in the seventh and eighth frames. Jamestown scored at least one run in each of the final six innings and they finished the contest with six extra-base hits.

Extra hitter Justin DiMartino (Farmingdale State) recorded a team-high two hits during the setback, while center fielder Frankie DiMartino (Hofstra) recorded a team-best two RBI to go along with a run and a hit.

The Pilots (0-1) will play their first road contest of the season on Sunday at Geneva at 5:05 p.m., while the Tarp Skunks (1-0) will have Monday off before taking on Newark once again on Monday at 7:05 p.m.

Niagara Power 13, Auburn DoubleDays 2

(via Justin Ritzel, The Citizen – auburnpub.com/sports/baseball)

The Auburn Doubledays hosted their third home opener as a member of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League on Saturday at Falcon Park against the Niagara Power.

Auburn, after taking an early two-run lead, ultimately fell 13-2.

Saturday’s lineup included a heavy local flavor. Former Auburn High and Cayuga Community College pitcher Will Coleman earned the start on the mound, and was replaced in the middle innings by Cooper Polcovich, who recently completed his senior season at Auburn High.

Former Skaneateles players James Musso and Emil Sander were also in the starting lineup, as well as ex-CCC star Hazel Martinez.

The D’days began their season on Friday night against the Geneva Red Wings, picking up a 14-2 win. Auburn (1-1) continues its opening weekend Sunday against the Elmira Pioneers, before off days on Monday and Tuesday.