By Jared Wicks
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Frank D’Agostino (Temple) led a 10-hit attack as the Oneonta Outlaws kept pace in the Eastern Division race beating the Syracuse Jr. Chiefs, 7-0 in New York Collegiate Baseball League play at Onondaga Community College, Monday.
D’Agostino went three for five with two doubles, an RBI and scored two runs himself.
“They (Syracuse) threw me a lot of off speed pitches, so I got to expect them and was hitting them.” D’Agostino said following his team’s win. “Working with the coach on my mechanics has improved my swing as of late.”
D’Agostino’s double got the offense going in the second inning. A single by Tyler Martis (Siena College) moved D’Agostino up to third and Kody Ruedisili (Wofford College) singled home D’Agostino and Martis for the first runs of the game.
D’Agostiono ignited the scoring again in the fourth with a double to bring home Matthew Bolger (University of South Alabama).
The Monroe Township, NJ native singled to lead off the sixth and once again was the focal point of another run when he stole second and third during Kyle Brennan’s (University of Buffalo) plate appearance and scored on a Ruedisili single.
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The eighth inning was D’Agostino-less when the Outlaws scored three more runs thanks to more Ruedisili as he advanced to first and second on a throwing error and scored with Martis on a single by Ben Mauseth (Grand Canyon College).
Mauseth eventually scored on a Daniel Fickas (South Carolina Upstate) single to finish off the offense for the night.
Paul Henshaw (Kenyon College) got the loss pitching 5.0 innings giving up six hits, four earned runs and striking out five. He is winless in his six decisions.
For the Outlaws, Jeremy Roberts (Stonehill College) got the win pitching five and a third, giving up no runs, seven hits and striking out seven. He improved his record to .500 and is now 2-2.
Ruedisili on the night was two for four, with a run and three RBI.
Mauseth went two for five with a run. With two stolen bases he increased his league-leading total to 35. Mauseth now ranks second since 2006 in the single-season category.
Gabe Levanti (Northeastern University) had a good night for Syracuse, going three for five. Team captain Brian Burns (Ithaca College) went two for five.
The Outlaws victory is just another step towards the playoffs. Outlaws coach Joe Hughes likes his team’s chances going into the tournament.
“We hope to play as well as we can play, and with timely hitting and sound defense I think we have a chance.” Hughes said. “There are some real good teams in the league like Hornell whose had a great run and Geneva and other good teams in the league.”
The goal for the Jr. Chiefs is no longer the playoffs, and team owner Mike DiPaulo knows there is still one goal and that’s to finish ahead of Cortland.
“Only one team has to finish on the bottom and it doesn’t have to be us.” DiPaulo said about the team’s final two games. “We have to forget about the past (previous games with Cortland) go out there and play with class, enthusiasm and focus on winning ball games.”
DiPaulo, the team’s principal owner managed tonight’s game due to head coach Chris Haynes one game suspension stemming from an ejection during Sunday night’s game versus the Salt Cats.
Even in defeat tonight gave DiPaulo a chance to see in the dugout what this team is all about.
“They’re a funny bunch of guys with great personalities, but when it comes to baseball they are all serious players.” DiPaulo said. “They do care about one another and it’s good to see their attitudes are up which is hard to do when you’re near the bottom of the pack”
The Jr. Chiefs (14-30) will take Tuesday off before their home match-up with the Cortland Crush (13-29) on Wednesday night.
The Outlaws (25-16) will still be fighting for the Eastern Division title with the Geneva Red Wings (26-14) when the two teams meet for game one of a home and home series starting Tuesday at Damaschke Field. The Outlaws could take over first place with a sweep sitting now just 1.5 games back of the Wings. First pitch Tuesday is scheduled for 7:00pm
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