Coming into Wednesday night’s game, Utica was the last unbeaten team in the PGCBL. Well Mohawk Valley had something to say about that, as the DiamondDawgs bested the Blue Sox 6-2 in the local rivalry.
Utica out hit the ‘Dawgs 8-7, however, they had 4 errors and left 13 men on base over the course of the night. Utica even had the bases loaded but failed to get anyone in either times. The Blue Sox struggling offense never got going and the DiamondDawgs were able to pile on the runs late. It was a 3-2 game heading into the 6th seeing Mohawk Valley in front. The DiamondDawgs would then add one in the top of the 6th thanks to a solo home run by Russ Olive (UMass Lowell) and two in the 9th thanks to an error and a sacrifice fly to finish the Blue Sox 6-2. Olive had two RBI’s on the night. Cole Pursell (Williamette) went 3-for 3-with a walk on the night for Utica.
Clay Chatman (Darmouth) got the win for the DiamondDawgs, going one and one-thirds innings and allowing no runs with one hit and one walk. Meanwhile, Brent Kessinger (North Park) got hooked with the loss, going five innings deep allowing three runs, two earned, on four hits and two walks. Kessinger had five strikeouts on the night.
With the win, Mohawk Valley improves to 3-1. They go back home to face Oneonta on Friday night at 6:35 p.m.
With the loss, Utica falls to 3-1 on the season. They travel to Saugerties tomorrow for a 7:00 p.m. game.