By Callum McNamara
Box Score
A captivated fireworks show concluded a 9th inning comeback by Amsterdam, Mohawks defeated the Blue Sox 5-4 in thrilling fashion.
Leading up…
The Mohawks and Blue Sox meet for the 6th time this season with Amsterdam holding a 3-2-1 record against Utica with the last matchup on Monday concluding in a tie for the first time between the two teams. Utica coming in with a 9-9-1 record, 2-6 on the road and sitting 11th in the East standings. The Mohawks love playing at home with a 9-3 record, 17-6-1 overall and sitting comfortably in 1st of the East. Utica entered Wednesday’s game not playing until Monday’s tie game against Amsterdam, while the Mohawks are coming off a hot-hitting night on Tuesday beating the Saugerties Stallions 11-8.
Pitching at it’s finest
A pitching duel between each team’s starters and bullpen was the main event of Wednesday’s night game at Shuttleworth Park between the visiting Utica Blue Sox and the Amsterdam Mohawks.
Zach Hernandez for the Mohawks took the mound and struggled in the 1st inning, loading the bases with two walked batters and one hit-by-pitch. Hernandez eventually worked around it, only giving up one run. That was the first and only run from each team until the top of the 6th. Jordan Ake started the Blue Sox completing his best outing of the season. Ake went eight innings giving up four hits, two runs, four walks, and striking out five. Hernandez ended his day pitching five innings and giving up two hits, one run, two walks and striking out seven which is a season-high for him.
The bullpen for each team held its own until a wild 9th inning ending. Mohawks Jesse Kuzmich entered the 6th inning and got himself into a bases loaded jam. Again just like Hernandez, Kuzmich was able to walk off the mound only giving up one run. Parker Aikens pitched two very clean innings for Amsterdam, then Cai Cheng En came into the 9th trying to keep a 2-0 deficit. Cheng En got the final third out of the top half but gave up two runs in the inning pushing the Blue Sox’s lead to 4-0. Charlie Bushley relieved Ake for Utica after giving up two runs to the Mohawks but they weren’t done. Bushley gave up three runs including a walk-off triple without completing an out.
Mohawks playing hero
Before the happenings of an insane ending to Wednesday night’s game, Utica held a 2-0 lead going into the final inning. Both early runs for the Blue Sox were assisted by bases loaded situations in the first and sixth top half. Connor Jones grounded out in the first bringing the runner home from third and Anthony Perritano singled in the sixth. Perritano also singled in the 9th along with Vincent Cowdrey contributing another run with an RBI single.
All five of the Mohawks runs came in the 9th with a pair of RBI singles. The Mohawks took advantage of the relief pitcher after the walk and got him for three more runs. Bray Touchstone who had himself a game, punched in a RBI single keeping the bases loaded for Brandon McCraine.
McCraine tripled to left-center field sending all three runners home on base including Chris Hoalcraft who scored from first, running faster than ever to get home and secure the walk-off win. Amsterdam only had one hit the whole game going into the 9th, it really speaks well about how this team does not give up.
Offensive and Defensive players shine in win:
Before giving up two runs in the final inning to knot the lead at two, Jordan Ake pitched a great game for the Blue Sox on 105 pitches. Nathon Estrada had an eventful top half of the first inning, registering all three outs in right field. Although Brandon McCraine was the hero of the game with his walk-off RBI triple, Bray Touchstone had a stat-packed night at first base and in the box.
Touchstone had two hits including an RBI single and a SportsCenter top 10 play at first base, doubling up the runner with a fantastic diving catch along the first base line. Touchstone quickly reacted after securing the catch, dived back to first to get the final out in the top of the 5th.
Mark your calendars
Mohawks earn their 18th win of the season while Utica falls into the double-digit loss category with 10. The season series concluded Wednesday night between the two, the Mohawks getting another win against Utica on the season 4-2-1. The Blue Sox continue their road trip with three more games before they head home. Games against the Stallions on the 4th of July, the Diamond Dawgs on Saturday, the Outlaws on Monday before returning home on Tuesday of next week to face the Diamond Dawgs. The Mohawks head to Glens Falls tonight to face the Dragons on East Field at 7:00. Another matchup against the Dragons on Sunday then coming home to face them at Shuttleworth Park at 6:35 on Tuesday, July 8th.
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