Diamond Dawgs Chewed Blue Sox

Diamond Dawgs Celebrating the Win. Timothy Charvat, 2024

The Utica Blue Sox are entering the home stretch of the 2024 PGCBL season. After defeating the Boonville Lumberjacks on Wednesday, July 17, the Sox held a 1.5 game lead over the Watertown Rapids for the fourth seed, as they went on the road go begin their final two game series against the third seeded Mohawk Valley Diamond Dawgs.

And the Sox fell just short, losing to the Dawgs 3-2 in ten innings.

An Eventful Second Inning

The Sox threatened first in the top of the second, as the two batters of the inning walked against Dawgs starter Marcus Saunders. Unfortunately, the Sox failed to capitalize as Saunders worked out of the inning, ending by getting catcher Luke Shahin to ground out.

The Dawgs would capitalize in their half of the frame as they put runners on second and third with one out against Sox starter Raine Ritter. After getting Dawgs catcher Luke McAllister to strikeout, right fielder Ethan Pues connected for a two-run single which gave Mohawk Valley the early lead.

Pues Two-Run Single. Timothy Charvat, 2024

Starters Duke it Out

For the next few innings, both starters began an intense pitcher's duel. Ritter settled in, as he retired nine of the next eleven batters that he faced including striking out the side in the fourth. But he would run into trouble in the bottom of the sixth, as he put runners on first and second with nobody out.

Ritter, however, worked out of the jam, ending by getting McAllister to pop out, ending his night with six innings, five hits and seven strikeouts.

Unfortunately for the Blue Sox, Saunders pitched his best start of the season, as he only allowed one baserunner to reach scoring position over the middle part of the game, which was when center fielder Todd Abraham legged out a two-out double in the top of the third.

But the Sox would threaten in the top of the seventh. Saunders would get the first two outs before allowing a walk to third baseman Wyatt Hunt and a hit by pitch to left fielder Mike Benedetto.

This forced Dawgs manager Steve Luby to bring in Matt Bruno to get out of the jam, as Saunders exited the game to a standing ovation after pitching a season high six and two-thirds shutout innings, allowing only four hits, four walks and striking out three.

Bruno would get out of the jam as he got extra hitter Omar Carreras to strike out on a check swing, which Sox manager Doug Delett contested.

Dawgs Threaten

Nevertheless, the game continued onwards as they Dawgs threatened in the bottom of the eighth. Luke Baker was in his second inning of relief and, after getting the first two outs, loaded the bases by allowing three straight Dawgs to reach base.

Baker would come up clutch, as he got McAllister to flyout, keeping the Sox in the game.

Blue Sox Fight Back

With only three outs to work with, the Blue Sox did not go down without a fight as Abraham led off the inning with a single, followed by walk to first baseman Matthew Williams. After Johnny Brucato, who subbed for shortstop Yomar Carreras earlier in the game, moved the runners over Luby removed Bruno for Dylan Bedder.

Bedder walked Partridge to load the bases for Hunt, who connected for an RBI single to cut the deficit to one. Benedetto then worked a walk to tie the game up at 2, forcing Luby to bring in Tyler Hodella to face Omar Carreras.

Hunt (Number 3.) After putting the Sox on the Board. Timothy Charvat, 2024.

Hodella came up clutch by getting Carreras to ground into a double play to keep the game deadlocked.

Baker retired the side in order in the bottom half of the frame and for the third time this season, the Blue Sox were going into extra innings.

A Crazy Tenth Inning

In accordance with PGCBL rules, extra innings start out with a courtesy runner at second base. Nick OConner was brought in to pinch run for Carreras to start the tenth, with Shahin attempting to move the runner over on a sacrifice bunt.

During the at bat, however, McAllister was able to throw OConnor out while attempting to steal third base, a call that was disputed by Delett. Hodella then retired the side in order, as the Dawgs came to bat in their half of the frame.

Baker was now in his fourth inning of work, and Delett made the call to let him finish the game. Shortstop Christino Tufano started the inning at second base for the Dawgs, and was able to steal third base, putting the winning run ninety feet away with nobody out in the inning.

Baker rose to the occasion, retiring the next two batters he faced. But after a walk to third baseman Justin Hurd, Delett called for an intentional walk to second baseman Luke Nomura in favor of facing Ryan Frontera, who pinched hit for designated hitter Major Pellien in the eighth.

Baker would hit Frontera on the first pitch of the at bat, allowing the Dawgs to walk it off 3-2.

Current Playoff Seeding

Currently the Amsterdam Mohawks and the Saugerties Stallions hold the top two playoff spots.

With the win, the Dawgs moved a game and a half above the Blue Sox for the third playoff position.

Meanwhile, the Sox still hold onto the fourth seed which will guarantee them a home game in the first round. But only by a game to the Watertown Rapids, which tied the Boonville Lumberjacks 2-2 later in the evening.

What’s Next

It’s Pink in the Park night on Saturday July 20, as they Blue Sox return home to host the Diamond Dawgs. The first pitch is at 6:45 p.m.