By NATE DISCAVAGE
LITTLE FALLS– Entering Saturday’s game, the Mohawk Valley Diamond Dawgs had defeated the Utica Blue Sox all three times that they faced each other. Game four between the two clubs was no different as the Dawgs (19-7) topped the Blue Sox (8-20) 9-6 at Veterans Memorial Park in Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League action.
Mohawk Valley pounced on Utica early pushing four runners across the plate in the first inning highlighted by Russ Olive’s (UMass-Lowell) two-run single. Olive tacked on another run with an RBI-single in the second inning to give the Dawgs a 5-0 lead.
Despite the large deficit, Utica rallied to tie the game in the top of the third sending nine batters to the plate. Jimmy Mendyk (LIU Post) knocked a two-strike, two-out, single to drive in Rob Andreoli (LIU Post) with the tying run.
The game remained deadlocked until five straight Diamond Dawgs reached base with two outs to give Mohawk Valley an 8-5 lead that they would never surrender.
“We did a great job of getting on base and using a strong approach at the plate,” Mohawk Valley coach Blake Nation said. “We scored runs when the opportunities presented itself.”
The Blue Sox threatened in the top of the fifth by loading the bases with one out. Reliever Jonathan Sell (Herkimer County CC) came in and forced a double play to end the threat.
Both teams traded runs in the sixth inning before the bullpens closed the door on the rest of the game.
Sell (1-0) earned the win for Mohawk Valley. The six-foot sophomore from Charlton, New York, pitched four innings allowing one run and striking out two in his second appearance of the season.
Riley Moore (Diablo Valley CC) suffered his second loss of the season. The California native allowed seven earned runs on 11 hits in four innings pitched.
The Blue Sox left 11 runners on base and stranded at least one runner in scoring position in six of the nine innings.
“We do a good job with runners in scoring position,” Nation said. “Our defense does a great job of backing up our pitchers.”
Olive led both teams offensively going 3-for-3 with a double, RBI, three runs and two walks.
Andreoli paced Utica going 2-for-2 with a double, two RBI and a run scored.
The Blue Sox return home tomorrow for a meeting with the Glens Falls Dragons (9-20).
Mohawk Valley has an off day before going on the road to face the Adirondack Trail Blazers (10-17).
Both teams will see each other again for Round Five on Tuesday night in Little Falls.
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