By Ian Nicholas
Box Score Photos
On Friday night from Shuttleworth Park, the Mohawks (34-5-1) lost their first game in July when the DiamondDawgs claimed a 5-3 victory. Amsterdam was previously 13-0-1 this month. Mohawk Valley picked up its second win in six tries against its East Division rival.
Cole Cheatam (Mississippi State) made his seventh start and struggled from the onset. In the top of the first, the DiamondDawgs jumped ahead 3-0 after the league leader in home runs, Garrett Musey (Goldey-Beacom), launched a three-run shot to centerfield. Mohawk Valley wouldn’t score in the second, but neither would Amsterdam. The Mohawks were shut out over the first two innings by DiamondDawgs starter Troy Butler (Binghamton). Amsterdam got one back in the third when Ian Petrutz (Maryland) shot one to third for an infield single, which allowed Josh Overbeek (Pittsburgh) to score. But Mohawk Valley responded in the top of the fourth by loading the bases with one out off Cheatam.
Jude Abbadessa (UConn) came out of the bullpen and retired Pete Durocher (Manhattan) on a flyout that turned into a sac-fly as Marshall Awtry (Goldey-Beacom) came home to make the score 4-1 Dawgs. Moments later, Mohawk Valley nearly scored another run after a pitch got by catcher Briggs Rutter (Middle Tennessee State). Evan Berta (Fairfield) dashed home from third as Abbadessa covered the dish and applied the tag in time off a throw from Rutter to end the inning. Cheatam was handed the loss and finished with 3.1 innings pitched and four runs allowed off four hits and five walks with four strikeouts.
The Mohawks tightened the score to 4-2 after Overbeek scored on a passed ball in the bottom of the fifth. But unfortunately, Amsterdam wouldn’t score again over the next three frames, as Butler pitched into the eighth. The freshman received the win and hurled over 100 pitches in 7.1 innings, surrendering two runs off six hits and two walks with 10 punchouts. Meanwhile, the Mohawks bullpen was lights out. Abbadessa chucked 2.2 scoreless frames and added three strikeouts without allowing a hit. Chris Suter (Union) entered in the seventh and kept the score 4-2 as he recorded a strikeout. In the eighth, Amsterdam native Carson Cotugno (Wake Forest) didn’t give up a hit or run as it stayed a two-run ballgame.
Jack Slyvia (St. Lawrence) took the mound in the top of the ninth and let Zach Brush (Le Moyne) notch a one-out single. After a strikeout, Musey ripped a comebacker to centerfield which was misplayed by Nick Giamarusti (John A. Logan CC). As a result of Giamarusti’s error, Brush scored to increase the lead 5-2 Mohawk Valley. Slyvia was not charged with an earned run, but Amsterdam still trailed three headed into the bottom of the ninth. The Mohawks were provided some optimism after a leadoff double to right from Rutter. After a Cam Love (Rutgers) groundout, Rutter touched home plate thanks to a run-scoring single from Cade Bush (Florida State). Closer Jed Boyle (Le Moyne) settled in, however, and struck out both Michael O’Shaugnessy (Davidson) and Zach Gardiner (Marshall) to seal the deal. Boyle earned the save, tossing the final 1.2 innings while giving up one run off two hits and two punchouts.
One of Amsterdam’s lone bright spots on the night came from Overbeek, who went 3-3 with a pair of runs scored. The Mohawks are on the road tomorrow against the Outlaws. First pitch is at 7:00 pm, listen to the radio broadcast on the Amsterdam Mohawks’ Facebook page through Facebook Live. Also tomorrow night, Mohawk Valley travels to Utica at 6:45 pm.
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