League Champs

2003 2012
2004 2013
2009 2014
2010 2016
2019

Miller’s Slam Lifts Mohawks Over Dawgs

By Ian Nicholas

Box Score    Photos

Friday night from Shuttleworth Park was filled with milestones for Amsterdam. The Mohawks (33-4) not only tied their longest win streak of all time but also claimed their ninth straight PGCBL East Division title, with a 6-3 defeat of the DiamondDawgs (19-17). Amsterdam has now won 13 games in a row, something it hadn’t done since 2009.

 

Collin Brougham (South Alabama) made his third start for the Mohawks and retired the side in the top of the first. In the bottom of the frame, Amsterdam took the lead after Briggs Rutter (Middle Tennessee State) whacked a ball to short that allowed Ian Petrutz (Maryland) to score from second. The Mohawks then loaded the bases with two outs against DiamondDawgs’ starter Ethan Miller (Shippensburg), but couldn’t capitalize as Cade Bush (Florida State) struck out. 

 

Down 1-0, Mohawk Valley tied it up in the top of the second with a leadoff home run from the league leader in four-baggers, Garrett Musey (Goldey-Beacom). The DiamondDawgs not only tied the contest but took a 3-1 advantage thanks to a passed ball from Hunter Thomas (Arkansas State) and an RBI bunt single for Ethan Valdez (Spring Hill). Brougham’s night was done after two innings, allowing three runs off four hits with a strikeout and no walks. 

 

Jack Slyvia (St. Lawrence) took over on the mound and tossed a scoreless top of the third before Amsterdam responded half an inning later. In the bottom of the third, Bush drove home Brett Coker (Middle Tennessee State) on an RBI single as the Mohawks still trailed 3-2. Slyvia finished his second scoreless frame in the top of the fourth to keep it a one-run game. On the other side, Miller struggled in the bottom of the fourth as he allowed two Amsterdam players to reach without recording an out. Mohawk Valley’s first choice out of the bullpen, Dom Spinoso (Virginia Wesleyan), then plunked Nick Giamarusti (John A. Logan CC) to load the bases. Leadoff hitter Gage Miller (Bishop State CC) came to the plate and launched one over the leftfield wall for his second grand slam of the summer as the Mohawks retook the lead 6-3. 

 

Ethan Miller was handed the loss after three innings of work, allowing four runs with a strikeout and five walks. After that, Amsterdam’s bullpen dominated the rest of the way. Jude Abbadessa (UConn) was handed the win for pitching two shutout frames with three punchouts and a walk. Chris Suter (Union) recorded a clean top of the seventh which ended in a backwards K for Musey. Amsterdam native Carson Cotugno (Wake Forest) held the three-run lead in the top of the eighth as he also picked up a strikeout. Spinoso lasted four innings on the bump for the DiamondDawgs, giving up two runs alongside three strikeouts and a pair of walks.

 

In the top of the ninth, Nolan Lamere (George Mason) attempted to end the game and record his fifth save of the season. Instead, the senior loaded the bases with one out, surrendering two hits and a walk. Lamere was pulled after just a third of an inning, with the tying run on first and the go-ahead score at the plate. Conner Whittaker (Florida State) was tasked with getting out of the jam, and that’s exactly what the freshman would do. First, Musey went down swinging for the second out. Then, Alfredo Delgado (Manhattan) grounded to third. Coker stepped on the bag for the forceout to end the evening, as Whittaker secured his third save of the summer. 

 

The Mohawks improve to 33-4 and travel to Saugerties to face the Stallions on Sunday at 7:05 pm. With a win, Amsterdam would not only break its own record for most wins in a row but would also tie the longest win streak in PGCBL history with 14. Listen in to the radio broadcast of the game on the Amsterdam Mohawks’ Facebook page through Facebook Live. Now 19-17, Mohawk Valley returns home to host Albany at 6:30 pm on Saturday.

More News Articles