By NATE DISCAVAGE
LITTLE FALLS, N.Y.- The fans in attendance for Thursday night’s doubleheader could have easily thought that the second game featured two completely different teams. After rallying to take game one 9-8, the Mohawk Valley Diamond Dawgs could not gain any ground in the playoff race dropping the nightcap 6-3 against the Adirondack Trail Blazers at Veterans Memorial Park in Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League action.
The first game was the completion of a suspended game dating back to July 14. It started in the bottom of the second inning with the Dawgs leading 3-1.
The Trail Blazers responded quickly tallying five runs in the top of the third on a Chuck Hooker (Alderson Broaddus) two-run single followed by Robert Zuwarski’s (Hillsdale) three-run home run to jump ahead 6-3.
The lead was short-lived as Mohawk Valley rallied for six runs in the bottom of the frame. After tying the game on an error and two-RBI singles, Russ Olive (UMass-Lowell) drilled his league-leading eighth home run of the season to center field. The three-run blast gave the Diamond Dawgs a lead they would never surrender.
Adirondack pulled within one run by the sixth inning before Levi Abrahamson (Treasure Valley C.C.) came in to throw three-and-one-third innings pitch of hitless relief. He struck out six batters to earn the save for Mohawk Valley.
John Hardy (Mohawk Valley C.C.) suffered the loss after coming on to pitch the entire remaining seven innings in the game. All six runs he allowed were unearned. The 6-foot-4 freshman struck out six batters.
The second game was highlighted by an outstanding 4-for-4 performance from Bay McIntosh (Florida Tech). The sophomore center fielder broke an 0-for-10 skid by hitting three doubles and driving in two.
“I came into the day struggling a little bit,” McIntosh said. “I’m just trying to finish the season strong.”
After falling behind 5-0 in the third inning, the Diamond Dawgs scored two on a Tim Zeng (Fairfield) single; however, they could not capitalize on the opportunity completely as they stranded runners at second and third with one out.
The game was stopped in the top of the seventh inning after a late-night fog made playing conditions impossible. After the game, one Mohawk Valley outfielder was overheard saying that he could not even see the infield.
Ben Porter (Columbia) lead both teams offensively on the night going 4-for-7 while scoring three runs for the Dawgs.
Although the Trail Blazers (15-29) have been eliminated from postseason contention, head coach Bobby McLaughlin still has his team playing at their absolute best.
“We know where we are in the standings, so I am telling them to take every day to get better and go from there,” McLaughlin said. “We are just going to have fun and hopefully win a few more games.”
Mohawk Valley (27-16) remained one game behind the Albany Dutchmen (28-15) for the second seed in the playoffs. The Dawgs get an off day before hosting the Glens Falls Dragons (15-31) on Saturday.
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