By Keith Harrington
GLENS FALLS, N.Y.-The fans that braved threatening weather at East Field Saturday night were rewarded with a dramatic extra inning contest between the Glens Falls Dragons (11-11) and the Amsterdam Mohawks (17-5). Glens Falls was able to take the 6-5 win after Mark Powell (Bucknell) lofted a bloop single to left field scoring David Sarmiento (Post) with the winning run, as the Dragons moved back to .500.
Hits and runs were few and far between for the first four and a half innings as Tyler Ehlers (Colorado Mesa) of Glens Falls and Evy Ruibal (Notre Dame) of the Amsterdam hooked up in an early pitcher's duel. Neither starter was around for the decision however despite solid outings.
Amsterdam was able to break through in the top of the third as Hunter Tackett (Auburn) hit a solo homer over the left center field fence to give the Mohawks a 1-0.
Glens Falls rallied in the bottom of the fifth when Rich Guglielmi (Saginaw Valley State) walked and Sarmiento reached via an error. After Danny Oliveri (Triton) bunted his way on, Powell executed a perfect sacrifice bunt to score pinch-runner Matthew Flynn (St. Anselm) to tie the game at 1-1. Jake Vieth (Tacoma CC) continued his torrid hitting pace by lining a single in the hole between shortstop and third to drive in two runs to give the Dragons their first lead of the night at 3-1.
Amsterdam would not go down silently. In the seventh Tyler Kirkpatrick (Marist) led off with a single and came around to score on a double to the left-center field gap by Kyle Dean (Rancho Bernardo HS.) to cut the lead to 3-2. Riley Mahan (Kentucky) then lofted a fly ball down the left field line in foul territory ground that was caught, allowing pinch-runner Craig Dedelow (Indiana) to cross home plate, knotting the game at three.
Glens Falls regained the lead in the bottom of the seventh. Sarmiento walked to lead off the inning. After two Dragons were out, Oscar Rodriguez (St. Thomas) launched an RBI triple to right field, scoring Sarmiento to make it 4-3.
The Dragons added a run in the eighth. After loading the bases with a pair of hits and a walk, Oliveri drew a base on balls forcing Colby Stratten (Indiana) home to give Glens Falls a two run lead.
Amsterdam would draw even in the bottom of the eighth. With two runners aboard, pinch-hitter Grayson Byrd (LSU) singled to drive in a run making it 5-4. Mahan then laid down a sacrifice bunt, picking up an RBI in the process to even the score at 5-5.
Sarmiento led off the bottom of the tenth by being hit with a pitch. Oliveri reached on an error, advancing Sarmiento all the way to third setting Powell's heroics.
Chris Bradt (Southern Vermont) earned the win in relief for Glens Falls to improve to 1-0, while Christian Maldonado (FMCC) took the loss droping him to 1-1.
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