By Callum McNamara
How Sweep it is, Mohawks take both games of the doubleheader against the Stallions.
Game 1 / Season Series
The Mohawks and the Stallions faced off on Thursday at Shuttleworth Park for a pair of games, a rescheduled game from May 31st. When watching these two teams play each other, one thing is definitely going to get your money’s worth. This season and years prior, the Mohawks and Stallions always put on a show, competing in high-scoring and competitive games.
Saugerties hosted Amsterdam on Wednesday night for the first game of a three game series. The Stallions earned a 3-1 win over the Mohawks on their home field, inching closer to being the two seed in the East. The Mohawks suffered their first loss that night after winning nine games and a tie in their last ten games. Amsterdam previously swept Glens Falls in three games before starting the series with Saugerties.
The Mohawks earned a doubleheader sweep last night winning 8-7, 8-4. Strengthening their overall record 23-7-1 and a 5-1 record on the season in doubleheaders.
Pitching Frenzy
Amsterdam brought out their star pitching for Game 1, Zach Hernandez getting the start against Keller Ausbun for the Stallions. Hernandez, coming off his best start, punched in a quality five innings giving up only one run on five hits. Ausbun struggled in his sixth start of the season, giving up five runs to Amsterdam through four. Doubleheaders are only seven inning games each so pitching was minimal for both teams.
Matthew Murtaugh relieved Ausbun after 3.2 innings, Murtaugh took the loss giving up three runs in the bottom of the sixth. Derek Duval came in for Hernandez but had a short stint as an all-star. Duval conceded six runs and shifted the lead to the Stallions in the top of the 6th. Mason Veronezi took the mound and got the final out of the 6th and came out to earn the win the next inning.
League Leader and Record Breaker
Bray Touchstone shined in Game 1, driving in two on two hits and scoring twice. Touchstone increased his average to .348, putting together an all-star season. On the other side, designated hitter Justin Ford punched in three RBI’s of his own in Game 1. Ford leads the league in runs batted in with 36. Luke Filipi walked his way to a single-season record. Filipi broke a 15-year old record with a season record 35 walks. He now sits 10th all-time on Amsterdam's walks list.
Game 2
The Mohawks finished off the doubleheader with a wild 8-4 win in Game 2. A back and forth game with each team committing costly errors and walks leading to runs. Nolan Feidt got the nod for the Mohawks pitching 3.0 innings, giving up three runs but contributing five strikeouts. Feidt worked his way out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the second without conceding a run. Cole Miller would then come in for 3.0 innings earning the win before Sam Falace closed the game out.
Saving Shortstop
Saugerties sent out Anthony Umhey, who suffered the loss last night in Game 2 pitching 4.0 innings and giving up six runs on seven hits. Charles Batista came in for the fifth and pitched well, Reis Brammer had a rough outing only getting one out on two runs and four walks. John Ryder closed the game getting the final two outs in the bottom of the sixth. Shortstop Reece Moroney had himself a night in the field with his incredible defensive plays. Moroney made a diving catch at short to save a run and pull out all the magic to complete an unassisted double-play.
Costly Errors
Amsterdam continued their offensive fire power, scoring two runs in the first on back-to-back RBI singles. RBI machine Justin Ford of the Stallions knocked in three runs after a base clearing double in the top half of the third. Chris Hoalcraft launched a two-run home run over the left-field wall giving the Mohawks lead back, 4-3. Things got wacky in the 4th when there was an overthrown ball to first going down the right field line. Alex Junghans hit the dribbler to the infield, which resulted in a two-run triple off an error at first. The sixth inning was also eventful with both teams each scoring in their respective inning. For the Stallions, pinch-hitter Logan Sanchez came up to bat eventually earning himself a single. Another error was made by the Mohawks resulting in Sanchez ending up on third and a run scoring. Brammer came in to face Amsterdam for the bottom half of the inning, and it wasn’t pretty. Brammer walked four batters, including two resulting in runs to put the cherry on top for a Mohawks win.
Upcoming Matchups / You’re an All-Star
The Mohawk Valley Diamond Dawgs come into town to face the Mohawks tonight at 6:35 in the Rao Family Stadium. The Mohawks aren’t back home till Tuesday, July 15th when the Stallions come back. Amsterdam is 3-1 against the Diamond Dawgs on the season including a 20-0 win early on during their campaign. Saugerties heads back home for a matchup against Boonville on Saturday where there are playoff implications. The Mohawks still sit comfortably in control of the East holding a five game lead on Boonville. Still a lot of baseball to be played for the Mohawks call themselves small town dynasty, creeping towards a four-peat in the PGCBL.
A huge shoutout and congratulations to our Mohawks who were picked to represent Amsterdam in this year's PGCBL All-Star game. Pitchers Derek Duval and Zach Hernandez, catcher Bray Touchstone, infielder Chris Hoalcraft, and outfielders Jake Long and Brandon McCraine. Congratulations and good luck representing the East division.
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