Eight contests were completed on the final day of June, including a doubleheader between Albany and Mohawk Valley.
Game 1: Albany Dutchmen 4, Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs 1… Game 2: Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs 5, Albany Dutchmen 1
The Dutchmen and the DiamondDawgs split their doubleheader in Albany on Friday evening at Dutchmen Field.
The DiamondDawgs also played a doubleheader on Thursday, dropping two close games to the Saugerties Stallions. Mohawk Valley still has the second-best winning percentage in the East Division Standings.
Game 1 – The Dutchmen broke the 0-0 tie in the bottom of the third with the help of an RBI double from shortstop Joe Karpierz (Xavier), then they took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth following back-to-back doubles from corner infielder Brody Keneston (Le Moyne) and extra hitter Tyler Kipp (Fairfield).
Mohawk Valley catcher Mitch Balint (Carson-Newman) added to his league-leading RBI total by driving in left fielder Owen Pincince (New Haven) with a base hit in the top of the fifth to cut the DiamondDawgs’ deficit in half.
The DiamondDawgs answered right back in the bottom of the frame, scoring two runs via a Steven Nitch (Barry) single, and error by the DiamondDawgs, and a Mario Cubello (St. John Fisher) sacrifice fly.
Balint, who leads the PGCBL in runs batted in by a wide margin and is second in the league in runs scored, hits, and doubles, finished the contest with a game-high two hits.
Albany starting pitcher David James (USC Upstate) earned the win on the mound after allowing four hits, three walks and one run with four strikeouts in 4.2 innings of work. Right-hander Matthew Tiberia (Saint Rose) threw 1.1 scoreless innings in relief, then lefty Elias Conway (Delaware) recorded his first save of the campaign after tossing a scoreless top of the seventh with two strikeouts.
Game 2 – Mohawk Valley left-handed starting pitcher Colton Trisch (George Washington) recorded the win on the mound after limiting the Dutchmen to three hits, three walks, one run, and zero earned runs with six strikeouts through the first 5.0 innings. Left-handed reliever Matt Alduino (Quinnipiac) tallied five strikeouts with one hit, one walk and zero runs allowed during the final 2.0 innings for the DiamondDawgs to close out the win and register his first save of the campaign.
MV catcher Brian Heckelman (Towson) recorded a team-high two hits and a game-high two runs scored during the victory, while right fielder Brady Shannon (Central Florida) provided a game-high two runs batted in. Third baseman Sam Miller (Columbia) and center fielder Jaden Ross (South Florida) both contributed one hit, one run and one RBI for the DiamondDawgs.
Kipp went 2 for 3 at the plate and drove in Albany’s lone run during the setback.
Niagara Power 2, Batavia Muckdogs 1
The Muckdogs (15-8) scored both their runs in the bottom of the second, then the Power (10-7-1) trimmed their deficit in half in the top of the third. Niagara starting pitcher Bryan Aduddle (Canisius) and right-handed reliever Jacob Smith (Eastern Florida State) held the Muckdogs scoreless during the final six innings to snap Batavia’s seven-game winning streak.
Niagara catcher Jeremy Glinski (D’Youville) broke the 0-0 tie in the bottom of the second with an RBI single, then first baseman Cal Brazier (Tiffin) drove in Glinski with a double during the next at bat.
The Muckdogs scored their lone run in the top of the third with the help of an RBI single from designated hitter Lucas Lopez (St. Thomas).
Aduddle, who finished the contest with four hits, two walks and one run allowed with four strikeouts during the first 6.0 innings, allowed just one runner on base during his final three innings of work after conceding the lone run in the third.
Smith was excellent in relief for the Power during an important home contest against the team atop the West Division Standings, allowing just two hits, zero walks and zero runs with two strikeouts during the final 3.0 innings.
Right-hander Jack Keeler (Fort Lauderdale) delivered a solid start for the Muckdogs, limiting the Power to six hits, one walk and two runs with six strikeouts through the first 5.0 innings. Three of the hits and both runs came during the second inning.
Right-handers Aidan Cooney (Rochester), Casey Sabiers (Long Island) and Thomas Blaydes (Rochester) each tossed 1.0 scoreless inning for the Muckdogs.
Niagara shortstop Zach Evans (Lenoir-Rhyne) recorded a team-best two hits during the victory.
Elmira Pioneers 2, Jamestown Tarp Skunks 1
The Pioneers (12-7) registered a big hard-fought road win over the Tarp Skunks (12-7-1) on Friday at Diethrick Park to move into second place in the West Division Standings with a 0.632 winning percentage. The Tarp Skunks drop to third place with a 0.625 winning percentage.
Jamestown center fielder Brayden Johnson (Western Kentucky) got on base with a single to left field in the bottom of the first, and he came around to score later in the inning on a wild pitch to break the 0-0 tie.
Elmira designated hitter Aidan Blake (UMass Boston) scored the tying run in the top of the fourth, then he drove in the go-ahead run in the sixth with a triple to right field. Blake finished the contest with a run, an RBI and a team-best two hits.
Elmira starting right-handed pitcher Joseph Keldsen (Cal State) allowed five hits, three walks, and one unearned run with four strikeouts through the first 5.0 innings, then right-hander Gardner Meeks (Roanoke) was credited with his third victory of the season after relieving Keldsen to begin the bottom of the sixth and conceding just one hit, one walk and zero runs with two strikeouts in 3.0 innings of work. Righty Brendan Ferrari (UMass Boston) tossed a scoreless bottom of the ninth to register his second save of the summer.
Johnson finished the game with two hits, one run and a team-best two walks for the Tarp Skunks during the setback.
Jamestown left-handed reliever Evan Berta (Fairfield) pitched the final 3.0 innings for the Tarp Skunks, allowing zero hits, two walks and zero runs with three strikeouts.
Amsterdam Mohawks 18, Watertown Rapids 8
With an 18-8 win at home on Friday over the Rapids (8-13), the Amsterdam Mohawks (21-1) extended their winning streak to 12 games and claimed the organization’s 500th victory under the leadership of manager Keith Griffin.
The Rapids came out hot at Shuttleworth Park with five runs in the top of the first inning, but Amsterdam took the lead for good with seven runs in the bottom of the second, followed by two runs in the third and six more in the fourth.
The Mohawks tallied 15 total hits during the win, including six doubles.
Amsterdam first baseman Cam Gurney (Utah) finished the game with two hits and three runs batted in, third baseman Gage Miller (Bishop State) tallied two hits, two walks, one RBI and three runs scored; second baseman Bruer Webster (Utah) registered two hits, two runs, and three RBI; outfielder Carlos Martinez (Pittsburgh) contributed two runs, two hits, two RBI and a walk; DH Zach Eldred (Brockport) delivered two hits, two RBI and a run scored; and shortstop Mason Swinney (Alabama) added one hit, two RBI and two runs scored during the victory.
Watertown shortstop Colin Hageman (Wisconsin Stout) recorded two hits and a team-high three runs batted in during the setback, while right fielder Malachi Flaherty (Saint Joseph’s College of Maine) provided two hits, two RBI and two runs scored.
Amsterdam right-hander pitcher Josh Davis (Clemson) recorded the win on the mound after allowing zero hits, zero walks and zero runs with two strikeouts in 2.1 innings in relief. Right-hander Colin Maloney (Rhode Island) held the Rapids scoreless during the sixth and seventh innings to end the contest via run rule.
The Mohawks are now seven games ahead of the DiamonDawgs for first place in the East Division Standings.
Utica Blue Sox 6, Boonville Lumberjacks 3
The Blue Sox built a 5-1 lead through the first seven innings on Friday at Boonville’s Robert Smith Sports Complex. The Lumberjacks scored one run in the bottom of the eighth and one in the ninth, but the Blue Sox weathered the storm to earn a road victory in East Division action.
Utica first baseman Norris McClure (Spring Hill) tallied a game-high three hits to go along with two runs batted in during the victory, while shortstop Andre Demetral (NIU) delivered two hits, one run and two RBI. Third baseman Kyuss Gargett (Kentucky) reached base four times for the Blue Sox with two hits and two walks. Utica second baseman Peter Adams (Limestone) recorded a base hit and a team-best two runs scored.
Utica left-handed starting pitcher Brandon Scott (Hillsdale) compiled 10 strikeouts against the Lumberjacks in 6.2 inning pitched with three hits, zero walks and one run allowed to record his first victory of the campaign. Right-hander Trey Sejnoha (St. Thomas) allowed zero hits, four walks and two runs with five strikeouts during the final 2.1 innings to close out the victory.
Boonville left fielder Eli Snelson (Union) recorded a double, a walk and two runs scored during the setback.
Saugerties Stallions 2, Glens Falls Dragons 1
The Stallions (9-7) recorded their third consecutive victory on Friday at home and avenged a June 22 loss to the Dragons with a walk-off base hit from second baseman Carson Clark (Wright State) in the bottom of the ninth at Cantine Veterans Memorial Field.
Neither team could scratch across a run during the first five innings, then Glens Falls broke the tie in the top of the sixth following an RBI single to right field from right fielder Odilio Cespedes (Bryant and Stratton).
The Stallions were then able to tie the game in the bottom half of the inning. Saugerties center fielder Andrew Amato (Delaware) led off the inning with a walk, then designated hitter Corey Dowdell (Georgia Southern) moved him to third with a double to right field. Right fielder Ethan Conrad (Marist) lifted a sacrifice fly to right field during the next at bat to drive in Amato and tie the game at 1-1.
The Saugerties pitching staff held the Dragons to four hits and four walks during the win. Starting right-handed pitcher Ga’von Wray (Georgia Southern) allowed one hit, one walk and zero runs with four strikeouts through the first 4.0 innings. Right-hander Jarek Woodward (Grand Canyon) struck out three batters during a scoreless top of the fifth, then lefty Will Robbins (Georgia Southern) completed 3.0 innings of work with six strikeouts. Right-hander Shaun Shipley (South Florida) was credited with his first win of the season for Saugerties after pitching a 1-2-3 top of the ninth with a strikeout.
Dowdell recorded a game-high two hits during the victory, while Clark drew two walks to go along with his walk-off single.
Newark Pilots 13, Geneva Red Wings 2
The Pilots scored 10 runs during the fifth and sixth innings combined to record a double-digit victory over the Red Wings in seven innings. The Pilots, who previously claimed a one-run win over Auburn on Tuesday, have now won two games in a row.
Newark designated hitter Jack Arcamone (Richmond) went 3 for 3 at the plate with three runs scored and a game-high four runs batted in, while right fielder Mitchell Kelly (Cortland) provided three hits and three RBI. First baseman Tatsunori Negishi (Middle Tennessee State) registered a single, a walk, a hit by pitch, two RBI and three runs scored during the victory, and shortstop Tristan Head (Virginia) added two doubles. Left fielder Michael Mugan (Southeast Missouri State) contributed a hit, a run and two RBI.
Newark right-handed starting pitcher Landon White (Ithaca) allowed three hits, three walks, two runs and one earned run with six strikeouts in 6.2 innings of work.