By Callum McNamara

Box Score

The chase for #4 is still on, Mohawks cut the lumber with a 4-3 win

Win, advance, repeat is the Mohawks motto for the 2025 PGCBL playoffs. In this year’s circumstance, Amsterdam looks to repeat as champions for the fourth consecutive year. The Mohawks, playing as the #1 seed drew #4 seed Boonville Lumberjacks in the East Division Semi-Finals on Wednesday night. 

The Mohawks gutted out a late-night victory, defeating Boonville 4-3. Amsterdam led in the hit category 8-6 and neither team committed an error. 

Popcorn ready…

Amsterdam cruised into the playoffs, convincingly earning the top seed and clinching another division title. The Mohawks ended the season with a 31-11-2 record, but lost three of the last five. Boonville on the other hand weren’t a playoff team until the DiamondDawgs suffered a crucial loss on the final night of the season. The Lumberjacks concluded their season with a 20-20-1 record. Both teams split the regular season 2-2, the fifth game being canceled.  

The goal is a fourth straight championship, winning their last 9-straight playoff games and claiming a #1 seed for a 13th straight year. Amsterdam has an 68-22 all-time playoff record and  56-15 under mastermind coach, Keith Griffin. With all those records on paper, the Mohawks are destined for another incredible postseason headlined by amazing pitching and bats that stay hot.

Pitching a close call

Playoffs are where you put your best arms on the mound, both teams brought out their best. Boonville’s Riley Cahill had a successful outing besides his struggles in the second inning. Cahill went four innings, giving up four hits on four runs, four walks and striking out two. 

Amsterdam started Jack Kirchner, who has had an incredible season and is looking to push his success through the postseason. Kirchner was outstanding last night, pitching a strong four innings with six strikeouts. Kirchner gave up four hits and a walk. 

After both starters were pulled, both teams heavily relied on their best bullpen arms. The Lumberjacks brought out relievers Anthony Schatz, Quinn Oliver, and Kaleb Hall. All delivered solid relief pitching to keep the lead at 4-0. Mohawks Parker Aikens came in for relief, pitching three innings. Aikens gave up one run on one hit, two walks and struck out five. Mason Veronezi came in late to close the game out. It wasn’t perfect but Veronezi got the save for Amsterdam and booked a ticket to the east division finals tomorrow.   

Too late for a hero

The Mohawks started the game off hot, scoring four runs in the bottom of the second, jumping out to an early lead. John McKillop knocked in a run after singling to right. McKillop advanced to second on a misplaced throw and eventually scored later that inning. Filippi tagged in an RBI single next and Chris Hoalcraft earned himself an RBI after taking ball four. With the bases loaded, Brandon McCraine reached on a fielder’s choice with McKillop scoring on the play. 

The Lumberjacks got their scoring started late, but it wasn't enough. Erwin Cabassa delivered an RBI single in the sixth and Miguel Gonzalez knocked in two off his home run in the ninth. After the home run, Booneville suffered three quick outs and kissed their title hopes goodbye. 

Chasing History

With the Mohawks getting a victory last night, Amsterdam will face a familiar foe in the east division finals, the Saugerties Stallions. The Stallions defeated Utica 6-4 last night. Both teams were supposed to be playing tonight but with weather cancellation, the teams will square off for a spot in the championship series on Friday night, Rao Family Stadium at Shuttleworth Park. The Mohawks won the season series between the two, a 6-4-1 record. 

On the other side of the playoffs, heavyweight Batavia cruised through the west side defeating Auburn and Jamestown. A Mohawks win would mean a rematch of the 2022 PGCBL championship series, where the dynasty for Amsterdam started.        

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