By PGCBL

Box Score

The Mohawks’ dominant pitching shined once again to win the 2023 PGCBL title-clinching game against Elmira.

Needing one more win to clinch the championship, the Mohawks turned to Max Ramirez, a righty out of Niagara University, and he surely came up big. In his dominant effort, Ramirez went seven innings, allowing just two baserunners, while striking out 13 Pioneers, one of the largest single-game totals we saw this season. Facing off against him was Gardner Meeks (Roanoke), who pitched the first six innings for Elmira, but had a couple of faults that gave Amsterdam control.

In the top of the fourth, in a scoreless tie, Mohawks first baseman Cam Gurney (Utah) came up big with an RBI double to give them the 1-0 lead. While that rally was held there, Amsterdam came back in the very next frame with two more runs via a Gage Miller (Alabama) bases loaded hit-by-pitch and an RBI single from second baseman Bruer Webster (Utah). With a 3-0 lead, Amsterdam was put in a comfortable position to let their pitching take it from there.

The Pios’ bats were quiet once again, picking up three total hits without walking. Meeks, their starter, was followed by Christian Zilli (Seton Hill) and Zack Nelson (Corning CC), who combined to pitch the final three innings scoreless, giving Elmira a hope of rallying back from 3-0 in the final few frames.

After Ramirez, Jack Brodsky (Tampa) came in for Amsterdam in the eighth, and he came through, finishing off the game for the Mohawks and securing the 2023 PGCBL Title.

The Mohawks have now gone back-to-back, compiling incredibly talented rosters the previous two seasons.

Gurney was named 2023 Championship MVP, picking up total five hits in the two games, with an RBI in each.