After 30+ years in the New York Collegiate Baseball League, in 2011, the Mohawks joined the newly formed Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League which combined some of the better summer baseball franchises in the nation and partnered them with Perfect Game USA, the world's utmost leader in scouting and reporting services.
The Mohawks, who were located in Schenectady prior to 2003, have won NYCBL championships in 1988 under then head coach, and also former team owner/president Bob Bellizzi, again in 2003 under Bill Consiglio, in 2004 under Nicholas Enriquez, and in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024 under Keith Griffin. In 2002, Dave Fields, led the team to a regular season title but lost the deciding game of the championship series to the Hornell Dodgers. Again in 2005, John Thomson guided the Mohawks to a regular season crown but was eliminated in the playoffs, and in 2011 Griffin led the team to a deciding Game 3 in the Championship series but lost a heartbreaker to the Newark Pilots. In 2015, the Mohawks also won the PGCBL Eastern Division title and broke the wins record in the league amassing a 40-10 regular season record. In 2017, late season injuries plagued an ultra-talented Mohawks’ team that won the PGCBL East with a runaway 36-12 record (won 24 of 25 during one stretch) but lost in the Eastern Division semi-finals. 2021 saw the Mohawks win a league best 31 games, compiling a 31-9 record but lost in the PGCBL Finals as well. 2022 was the Mohawks best ever season as they went 43-7-1, won the PGCBL Championship and were named the Summer Collegiate Team of the Year by Perfect Game USA.
In addition, there have been well over 200 former Mohawks who have signed professional baseball contracts, currently including over including San Francisco Giants phenom Hunter Pence (Texas-Arlington) who played for the Mohawks in 2002, Luke Maile (Kentucky) of the Cincinnati Reds, Matt Gage (Siena) of the New York Mets, Trey Wingenter (Auburn) of the Chicago Cubs, Mark Leiter Jr. (NJIT) of the New York Yankees, Zach Logue (Kentucky) of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tim Herrin (Indiana) of the Cleveland Guardians, Joe LaSorsa (St. John's) of the Washington Nationals and Andrew Saalfrank (Indiana) of the Arizona Diamondbacks. John Nogowski (Florida State), Chandler Shepherd (Kentucky), Cord Phelps (Stanford), Brendan Harris (William and Mary), Logan Darnell (Kentucky), Glen Barker (Saint Rose), Valentino Pascucci (U. Of Oklahoma) and Tim Christman (Siena) were also former Mohawks who played in the big leagues. In 2019, the Mohawks set a record with 23 former players drafted. In 2020 Justin Foscue (Mississippi State) became the first former Mohawk taken in the first round as the Texas Rangers selected him with the 14th overall pick. In 2023, Matt Shaw (Maryland) became the Mohawks highest draft pick as the Cubs selected him 13th overall. Currently, the Mohawks have over 70 former players in professional baseball.
The Mohawks have grown into one of the top places to play summer baseball in America. The players will note that the game atmosphere at Rao Family Stadium at Shuttleworth Park is one of the best in the country and with large enthusiastic crowds and getting the kids involved - after seeing a game, you would see their point.
The league will continue to have current college stars and future professional players in it. Make sure you come out to the ballpark to catch some of the exciting brand of baseball that they have to offer. See you at the game!!!
Mohawk Baseball Club results since joining the NYCBL
YEAR 1986 1987 1988^ 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999^ 2000 2001 2002^ 2003^ 2004 2005^ 2006 2007 2008 2009^ 2010^ 2011 2012^ 2013^ 2014^ 2015^ 2016^ 2017^ 2018^ 2019^ 2020 2021^ 2022^ 2023^ 2024^
Bold League Champions (13)
^Division Champions (19)
|
RECORD 18-22 (.450) 28-12 (.700) 34-8 (.809) 27-13 (.675) 26-16 (.619) 20-20 (.500) 20-20 (.500) 23-17 (.575) 21-19 (.525) 22-20 (.524) 22-18 (.550) 23-19 (.548) 10-32 (.238) 28-12 (.700) 18-22 (.450) 21-19 (.525) 33-14 (.702) 35-12 (.745) 27-18 (.563) 30-20 (.600) 21-24 (.467) 17-25 (.405) 29-16 (.644) 36-12 (.750) 33-15 (.688) 33-19 (.635) 39-13 (.750) 35-18-1 (.660) 40-11 (.784) 41-12 (.774) 39-16 (.709) 37-14 (.725) 33-19 (.635) 38-13 (.745) 13-13 (.500) 32-11-1 (.739) 43-7-1 (.853) 40-5-1 (.880) 39-7 (.848)
|
HEAD COACH Don McDonald Don McDonald Bob Bellizzi Bob Bellizzi Bob Bellizzi Brian Spagnola Brian Spagnola Brian Spagnola Ken Hodge Ken Hodge Tom Fleenor Tom Fleenor Rich Seebode Dennis Healy Dennis Healy Tim Felty Dave Fields Bill Consiglio Nicholas Enriquez John Thomson Matt Mueller Chris Smart Kevin Downing Keith Griffin Keith Griffin Keith Griffin Keith Griffin Keith Griffin Keith Griffin Keith Griffin Keith Griffin Keith Griffin Keith Griffin Keith Griffin Greg Christodulu Keith Griffin Keith Griffin Keith Griffin Keith Griffin
|
|
TOTAL |
1124-623-4 (.643) |
Mohawk Baseball Club Total Career Coaching Wins
COACH Keith Griffin Bob Bellizzi Brian Spagnola Dennis Healy Don McDonald Tom Fleenor Ken Hodge |
WINS 558 87 63 46 45 45 43 |
YEARS WITH MOHAWKS 2009-2024 1988-1990 1991-1993 1999-2000 1986-1987 1996-1997 1994-1995
|
Mohawks Single Game Records
Most Runs
25 - June 25, 1988 Schenectady Mohawks at Broome Rangers
(in Amsterdam)
22 - July 9, 2017 at Adirondack Trail Blazers, July 2, 2022 vs. Glens Falls Dragons
Most Runs in an Inning
15 - June 25, 2024; 6th inning vs. Boonville Lumberjacks
Most Hits
29 - July 9, 2017 at Adirondack Trail Blazers
Most Home Runs
8 - June 25, 1988 Schenectady Mohawks at Broome Rangers
(in Amsterdam)
5 - June 18, 2019 vs. Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs
Most Hits by a Player
5 - John Valente (June 22, 2017), (July 3, 2017)
Most Doubles by a Player
3 - Austin Sheffield (June 30, 2009), Jeff Boehm (July 8, 2012), Zak Colby (July 29, 2012), Cam Gurney (June 16, 2023)
Most Home Runs by a Player
3 - Anthony Gonnellla (July 5, 2017), Mason Swinney (June 26, 2023)
Most RBI by a Player
8 - Dylan Smith (July 30, 2013)
Most Strikeouts
19 - June 12, 2008 at Little Falls Diamond Miners, June 16, 2009 vs. Saratoga Phillies, June 22, 2019 at Watertown Rapids
Most Strikeouts by a Player
13 - Brayden Kapteyn (June 16, 2009), Dave Filak (July 12, 2009), Mark Leiter, Jr. (August 1, 2011), Mark Leiter, Jr. (August 6, 2012), Nick Massa (August 7, 2019), Max Ramirez (August 3, 2023)
Most Stolen Bases
9 - July 3, 2008, 2019
No-Hitters
Sean Bouthilette (June 22, 2010)
Taylor Blatch (July 27, 2014)
Cole Cheatham, Von Baker (June 19, 2022)
Zach Eldred, Ben Huckans (July 7, 2023)
Brandon Peterson, Von Baker (July 11, 2023)
Longest Winning Streak
Overall: 16 games - June 16, 2023 - July 5, 2023
Home Winning Streak: 15 games - June 1, 2023 - July 5, 2023
Road Winning Streak: 13 games - June 3, 2022 - June 27, 2022
Longest Hitting Streak
23 Games - Michael Ludowig: June 29, 2018 - July 30, 2018
Mohawks Individual League Awards
Player of the Year
2024 - Cade Ladehoff (NJIT/Michigan)
2022 - Gage Miller (Bishop State)
2019 - Maxwell Costes (Maryland)
2016 - Joe Genord (South Florida)
2014 - Josh Gardiner (Radford)
2013 - John Nogowski (Florida State)
2009 - Brayden Kapteyn (Kentucky)
2008 - Mark Onorati (Manhattan)
Pitcher of the Year
2021 - Nick Smith (Evansville)
2015 - Zach Logue (Kentucky)
2012 - Chandler Shepherd (Kentucky)
2010 - Kyle Hunter (Dartmouth)
2009 - Brayden Kapteyn (Kentucky)
2004 - Derrick Gordon (Lamar)
Relief Pitcher of the Year
2022 - Santhosh Gottam (Brown)
Coach of the Year
2024 - Keith Griffin
2023 - Keith Griffin
2022 - Keith Griffin
2012 - Keith Griffin
2009 - Keith Griffin
Mohawk Baseball Past Owner Bob Bellizzi
Bob Bellizzi, who passed away May 7, 2006, had been involved with college baseball for over twenty-five years and believed that Amsterdam was a perfect match for the Mohawks and the NYCBL. Before his passing he was thrilled with the success that the Mohawks had in their seasons in Amsterdam. "The combination of a sports minded city and an operator (Brian Spagnola) who was born and raised in Amsterdam, makes this a great place to play summer baseball...it was our intention to bring a quality level of collegiate baseball to Shuttleworth Park and provide entertainment and excitement throughout the season and that is what we did...the sense of cooperation and support exhibited by the community only confirmed our belief that Amsterdam was the ideal home for the Mohawk Baseball Club..." |
|
Bellizzi, the head coach at The College of Saint Rose from 1978 until his passing, had over the past quarter century, developed the Golden Knights into a national powerhouse at the NCAA Division II level. Saint Rose had made the NCAA Northeast Division II Regionals in 1994, 1995, 1997, and 2000. His 2000 team reached their ultimate goal by advancing to the NCAA Division II World Series in Montgomery, Alabama. Prior to that, at the NAIA level, Saint Rose made regional appearances in 1990 and 1991 and went to the 1990 NAIA World Series in Lewiston, Idaho.
Bellizzi boasted a staggering career record of 720-367-2 at Saint Rose and has enjoyed success at the club, NAIA, and NCAA levels. He had dozens of Saint Rose players continue their baseball careers at the professional level, including 1993 grad Glen Barker, who played for the Houston Astros at the major league level from 1999-2001. From 1988-1990, Bellizzi also guided the Schenectady Mohawks to a remarkable 87-37 record and won the league championship in 1988 with a 34-8 record.
Mohawk Baseball Club Founder Hank Caputo
Hank Caputo was born in Sault Saint Marie, Ontario, but lived in the Capital Distict for many years. He worked for the Genearl Electric and the NY State Highway Department. He was a bus driver at Mohonasen High School and was also a custodian at Niskayuna High School before retiring in 1990. Caputo was also a Navy Veteran of World War II. |
|
Caputo played hockey while residing in Canada and is a former professional referee and former scout for RPI’s hockey team. He was most remembered as the Commisiioner of the Northeast Collegiate Baseball League (now the NYCBL) from 1988 until retiring in 1992. He served as a scout for the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, and Montreal Expos. Caputo founded and was president of the Schenectady Baseball Club and was also a past president of Schenectady Connie Mack Baseball.
Caputo was inducted into the Schenectady Baseball Hall of Fame and was honored by the City of Schenectady for his involvement in local amatuer baseball. He received the Steve Lembo Award from the New York Professional Hot Stove League and was the recipient of a gold pass from the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues.
Team Offensive Stats
Year |
AVG |
GP-GS |
R |
Run/Per |
2B |
3B |
HR |
XBH |
SLG% |
BB |
SO |
OB% |
SB |
FLD% |
2024 |
.318 |
42 |
358 |
8.52 |
101 |
18 |
21 |
140 |
.467 |
241 |
277 |
.443 |
112 |
.962 |
2023 |
.319 |
42 |
376 |
8.95 |
89 |
7 |
27 |
123 |
.455 |
240 |
210 |
.437 |
75 |
.972 |
2022 |
.305 |
46 |
355 |
7.72 |
90 |
5 |
27 |
122 |
.424 |
241 |
309 |
.419 |
106 |
.973 |
2021 |
.285 |
42 |
297 |
7.07 |
89 |
10 |
28 |
127 |
.433 |
199 |
322 |
.396 |
78 |
.975 |
2020 |
.268 |
26 |
134 |
5.15 |
34 |
3 |
19 |
56 |
.406 |
99 |
221 |
.373 |
47 |
.966 |
2019 |
.297 |
46 |
353 |
7.67 |
77 |
14 |
46 |
137 |
.453 |
231 |
333 |
.406 |
95 |
.972 |
2018 |
.284 |
46 |
282 |
6.13 |
74 |
11 |
41 |
126 |
.423 |
211 |
342 |
.382 |
74 |
.967 |
2017 |
.309 |
48 |
364 |
7.58 |
94 |
11 |
43 |
148 |
.460 |
243 |
317 |
.415 |
102 |
.961 |
2016 |
.274 |
49 |
287 |
5.86 |
77 |
12 |
30 |
119 |
.393 |
222 |
319 |
.368 |
110 |
.965 |
2015 |
.286 |
50 |
319 |
6.38 |
92 |
6 |
42 |
140 |
.427 |
252 |
305 |
.395 |
96 |
.966 |
2014 |
.283 |
47 |
288 |
6.13 |
86 |
8 |
22 |
116 |
.394 |
219 |
283 |
.389 |
97 |
.967 |
2013 |
.299 |
48 |
316 |
6.58 |
91 |
3 |
36 |
130 |
.428 |
199 |
271 |
.401 |
75 |
.960 |
2012 |
.291 |
47 |
311 |
6.62 |
96 |
11 |
21 |
128 |
.399 |
189 |
318 |
.375 |
81 |
.965 |
2011 |
.288 |
47 |
259 |
5.51 |
75 |
7 |
37 |
119 |
.417 |
147 |
333 |
.364 |
39 |
.957 |
2010 |
.286 |
42 |
274 |
6.52 |
85 |
7 |
29 |
121 |
.418 |
172 |
262 |
.371 |
60 |
.968 |
2009 |
.290 |
42 |
254 |
6.05 |
75 |
5 |
29 |
109 |
.412 |
139 |
259 |
.369 |
50 |
.963 |
2008 |
.264 |
40 |
236 |
5.90 |
62 |
12 |
31 |
105 |
.394 |
157 |
305 |
.352 |
74 |
.954 |
2007 |
.262 |
42 |
226 |
5.38 |
73 |
10 |
20 |
103 |
.369 |
151 |
343 |
.352 |
51 |
.946 |
2006 |
.242 |
45 |
184 |
4.09 |
50 |
6 |
13 |
69 |
.313 |
159 |
318 |
.330 |
53 |
.949 |
2005 |
.217 |
49 |
173 |
3.53 |
51 |
14 |
9 |
74 |
.291 |
199 |
441 |
.321 |
87 |
.960 |
2004 |
.257 |
45 |
179 |
3.98 |
61 |
7 |
14 |
82 |
.342 |
153 |
312 |
.348 |
71 |
.960 |
2003 |
.284 |
47 |
277 |
5.89 |
73 |
12 |
10 |
95 |
.372 |
159 |
274 |
.373 |
66 |
.963 |
2002 |
.257 |
47 |
220 |
4.68 |
64 |
18 |
13 |
95 |
.352 |
187 |
312 |
.357 |
72 |
.957 |
Team Pitching Stats
Year |
ERA |
SO |
IP |
BB |
H |
AVG |
WHIP |
2024 |
3.18 |
413 |
342.2 |
215 |
243 |
.194 |
1.337 |
2023 |
2.70 |
384 |
340.1 |
185 |
229 |
.188 |
1.216 |
2022 |
2.33 |
490 |
378 |
212 |
258 |
.196 |
1.243 |
2021 |
3.73 |
457 |
340.1 |
205 |
268 |
.213 |
1.390 |
2020 |
5.39 |
257 |
177 |
146 |
145 |
.223 |
1.644 |
2019 |
3.71 |
470 |
388 |
174 |
343 |
.230 |
1.332 |
2018 |
3.77 |
458 |
398.2 |
241 |
329 |
.220 |
1.430 |
2017 |
4.02 |
416 |
410.1 |
207 |
366 |
.231 |
1.396 |
2016 |
2.78 |
403 |
417.2 |
188 |
337 |
.215 |
1.257 |
2015 |
3.13 |
450 |
434 |
174 |
342 |
.210 |
1.189 |
2014 |
2.49 |
384 |
400.2 |
144 |
315 |
.215 |
1.146 |
2013 |
3.33 |
392 |
405.2 |
167 |
357 |
.234 |
1.292 |
2012 |
3.34 |
420 |
428.1 |
189 |
347 |
.223 |
1.251 |
2011 |
3.37 |
413 |
398 |
114 |
376 |
.248 |
1.231 |
2010 |
2.68 |
345 |
355.1 |
130 |
312 |
.235 |
1.244 |
2009 |
2.88 |
392 |
350 |
182 |
256 |
.200 |
1.251 |
2008 |
3.73 |
328 |
352.1 |
153 |
353 |
.257 |
1.436 |
2007 |
3.91 |
365 |
368.2 |
196 |
336 |
.240 |
1.443 |
2006 |
3.30 |
317 |
379 |
187 |
330 |
.234 |
1.364 |
2005 |
2.20 |
322 |
401.2 |
107 |
311 |
.217 |
1.041 |
2004 |
3.07 |
346 |
366 |
159 |
330 |
.237 |
1.336 |
2003 |
2.78 |
335 |
375 |
132 |
310 |
.223 |
1.179 |
2002 |
2.41 |
269 |
392.2 |
124 |
316 |
.217 |
1.121 |