Location: Shuttleworth Park, Amsterdam, NY
Date: 06/20/24
Summary:
In the second game of a home and home against the Amsterdam Mohawks at Shuttleworth Park, the Saugerties Stallions battled fiercely but ultimately came up short 8-7. Both teams held the lead at one point in this game, with four total home runs being hit. Despite a late surge, Saugerties couldn’t overcome Amsterdam’s consistent offensive pressure, resulting in their third loss of the season.
Early Innings: Both teams traded solo home runs in the second inning of this game to make it 1-1. Saugerties’ catcher Josh Blackmore and Amsterdam’s right fielder Evan Haeger each recorded their first home runs of the season. Haeger’s homerun was the first the Stallions staff had given up this season. The Mohawks jumped in front in the third inning with another solo home run, this time from first baseman Cade Ladehoff, marking his third of the season. Amsterdam would tack on another run in the fifth inning to take a 3-1 lead.
Saugerties’ Surge: Trailing by two in the top of the sixth, second baseman Fritz Genther walked with two outs, setting the stage for PGCBL leader in average, home runs, and RBI’s Ethan Conrad. The Wake Forest commit launched a two-run bomb for his league-leading fifth homer of the season, knotting the game at 3-3. Following Conrad’s home run, first baseman Matt McIntire singled with two outs, and third baseman Bayram Hot reached on an error, putting runners on first and third with two outs and bringing up left fielder Justin Ford. The Seton Hall product came through for the Stallions, driving in the go-ahead run to take a 4-3 lead in the sixth.
Amsterdam Blows It Open: The Mohawks would go on to score five runs in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings to take an 8-4 lead. The offensive outburst was highlighted by a combined four hits between shortstop Pete Daniel and Extra Hitter Zach Eldred combined with effective base running. The two runs that Stallions pitcher Vince Fusco gave up in his three innings of relief did not go against his line, all being unearned
Too Little, Too Late: With time running out in the top of the ninth trailing by four runs, Saugerties was determined not to go down without a fight. Designated hitter Anthony Marcano would single to start the inning, putting a runner on first. Extra Hitter Evan Dieter would then strike out, bringing up center fielder Tyler Bak with one out in the ninth. The Wofford product would earn himself a walk, setting the Stallions up with runners at first and second with one out. Shortstop Mario Travella would then strike out, putting Saugerties down to their final out of the ballgame. Second baseman Fritz Genther would deliver in the clutch, notching a 2 RBI double in the gap to cut the Mohawk lead to two. Shortly thereafter, Conrad would drive Genther home from second with an RBI single to make it a one-run game. With two outs and Conrad at first, head coach Collin Martin would make a move to the bench, pinch-hitting 2023 PGCBL league MVP Andrew Amato for first baseman McIntire. In Amato’s first appearance of the year for the Stallions, he popped out to third base to end the game.
Saugerties Stallions:
Ethan Conrad (RF): 3-for-4, 1 run scored, 3 RBIs, 1 walk, batting .469.
Justin Ford (LF): 3-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 strikeout, batting .381.
Amsterdam Mohawks:
Cade Ladehoff (1B): 3-for-4, 1 run scored, 2 RBIs, batting .393.
Evan Haeger (RF): 2-for-3, 2 runs scored, 3 RBIs, 1 walk, batting .400.
With the loss, the Stallions’ record moves to 13-3-1 on the season, with the Mohawks sitting at 13-3. This was the seventh game in seven days for the Stallions, going 5-1-1. Saugerties now shares first place with Amsterdam atop the PGCBL standings. The season series between these two squads is now tied at 2-2.
Saugerties will now get a well-deserved couple of days off before resuming action against the last-place Glens Falls Dragons (3-11-1) on Sunday night at Cantine Field.
For more information, contact: Saugerties Stallions PR Department Email: saugathletic@gmail.com
About Saugerties Stallions: The Saugerties Stallions are a premier collegiate summer baseball team, part of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL). Committed to excellence on and off the field, the Stallions provide top-notch entertainment and foster the development of collegiate athletes.