By NATE DISCAVAGE
LITTLE FALLS, N.Y.- Going into the game, Sunday night felt like it would be a special day for Mohawk Valley Diamond Dawgs fans. There was a post-game firework show planned, MLB legend Tommy John was in attendance and the Dawgs were one of two teams in the league without double-digit losses.
Mohawk Valley didn’t disappoint unloading for a 16-3 win against the Glens Falls Dragons at Veterans Memorial Park in Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League action.
The Dawgs broke the game open tallying nine runs in the fourth inning as 15 batters came to the plate. Clay Koniencki (Monmouth) went 2-for-2 in the inning with both an RBI-single and an RBI-double. The PGCBL All-Star finished the night with two RBI, two runs scored and two walks.
It was not a complete hit parade for Mohawk Valley. The Diamond Dawgs were patient at the plate and earned 15 walks in the game. Despite the season-high walk total, the team still ranks second-to-last in the league in walks.
Johnny Mayer (Norfolk State) broke out of an 0-for-13 slump by pacing the Dawgs offensively going 3-for-4 with a double, two RBI, three runs scored and a walk. Teammate Bronson Grubbs (Sacramento State) also broke out of a slump; after suffering through a 1-for-18 stretch, the 5-foot-8 California native went 1-for-2 with a double, three RBI, two runs and a walk.
“We know that we can win,” Diamond Dawgs coach Blake Nation said. “If we continue to play like we did today, we will be a threat in the playoffs.”
Jonathan Snell (Herkimer County CC) earned his second win of the season in relief. The righty struck out two in two-and-two-thirds innings pitched.
Will Van Beusekom (Marist) fell to 0-2 on the season. The 6-foot-6 freshman from Albany allowed four runs on two hits. Van Beusekom walked five in his two innings pitched.
Mohawk Valley enters the All-Star break at 23-8 and in second place in the PGCBL Eastern Division.
“Coming out of the break, we have to stay with our same approach that we’ve had all season,” Nation said. “We have to continue to attack the zone.”
Glens Falls sits three-and-a-half games out of the playoffs in fifth place at 12-24 in the Eastern Division.
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