ONEONTA, N.Y. — The Oneonta Outlaws walked off with a 3-2 win at Damaschke Field Monday and extended the Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs’ search for a first victory of the season.Mohawk Valley, which dropped to 0-5, took a 2-1 lead with two runs in the top of the third inning, and Oneonta tied the score in the fourth. The score remained 2-2 until the bottom of the ninth.Shane Reardon relieved Southern New Hampshire University teammate Brendan Welch to start the ninth for the DiamondDawgs. Alvernia University’s Cameron Coons led off with a single for the Outlaws and was replaced by pinch-runner Derek Kasperzyk from Quinnipiac University. Kasperzyk stole second base and moved to third on a bunt by Chattanooga Community College’s Taylor Maxey. Eastern Kentucky University catcher Nick Pope, batting for the first time after entering the game two innings earlier in a defensive switch, hit the first pitch he saw from Reardon for a single and drove home the winning run.Oneonta had scored a run in the first inning and taken a 1-0 lead against Zach Vennaro, making his summer season debut after helping Monroe Community College reach the NJCAA’s Division II World Series. Washington and Lee University’s Kyle Ruedisili and West Liberty University’s Yale Hughes singled as the first two hitters for the Outlaws, and Ruedisili scored when Grand Canyon University’s Quin Cotton hit into a double play.Treasure Valley Community College catcher Tanner Leenknecht singled in the third inning against Cal Lawrence, the Oneonta starter from SUNY-Binghamton. Rutgers University’s Mike Martinez followed with a double that chased Leenknecht home with the run that tied the game at 1. Martinez took third base on the throw home then scored on a hit by Herkimer College General Justin Kiesow.Vennaro walked Cotton to start the fourth inning, Cotton stole second base, moved to third on one ground ball, then scored on another, tying the game at 2. Coons and Maxey followed with hits but a strikeouts stranded the pair of Outlaws on the bases.Oneonta loaded the bases with one out in the sixth inning. Vennaro walked Coons after hits by Cotton and Wofford College Alex Malsch. Vennaro then fell behind Maxey 2-0 and recovered to strike him out. Welch was summoned from the bullpen to face pinch-hitter Jimmy Hand and struck the Northeastern University outfielder out to end the inning.Welch retired all seven batters he faced — three by strikeout — in 2 1/3 innings.The DiamondDawgs, who had left one runner on base through six innings, stranded two in the seventh when the University of Tennessee at Martin’s Tanner Wessling singled with two outs and Long Island University’s Andrew Turner drew a walk.
Mohawk Valley also had a runner on a two-out walk in the eighth inning and Central Connecticut State University’s Nick Plachno was hit by a pitch with one out in the ninth.
Kiesow had two of the six hits for Mohawk Valley.
The DiamondDawgs have led in their last three games and been tied in the eighth inning or later each time. Adirondack tied Friday’s game in Boonville with a run in the ninth inning then won in the 11th. Albany scored two runs following a two-out error in the eighth inning Saturday then held on to win 3-2 in Little Falls.
Coons and Ruedisili each had two hits for Oneonta, now 4-1 and tied with Saugerties (3-0) for first place in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League’s East Division.
Lawrence also started against the DiamondDawgs in Little Falls on opening night. He allowed three earned runs in 9 1/3 innings in the two starts and left both games tied at 2.
Tuesday is Mohawk Valley’s first scheduled day off of the season. The DiamondDawgs travel to Elmira Wednesday and next play at home Thursday against Oneonta.