PGCBL: Dawgs rally twice, sweep doubleheader

By The Little Falls Times

The DiamondDawgs, winners of seven of nine games since they were eliminated from playoff contention, caught Albany in the win column by beating the Dutchmen 8-5 and 6-2. Albany had led 5-1 entering the bottom of the sixth inning in Game 1 and 2-0 in the middle of the fifth in Game 2. Among the beneficiaries of the DiamondDawgs’ comebacks were pitchers Mike Fasolo and Mike Bradstreet, each of whom earned his first victory of the summer.

Michael Gunn started a seven-run rally in the first game with a triple leading off the sixth inning. Bret Gallihugh walked D.J. Hoagboon and was relieved on the mound by Tim Haley. Colin Monagle grounded into a force play at second base and the Dutchmen ere able to keep Gunn at third base on the play. Nic Spence followed with a ground ball to second base with the potential for an inning-ending double play. An errant throw to second base, however, left runners at first and second base as Gunn scored, still with one out. Haley then walked Hassan Evans and forced a run home with a free pass for Cullen Wacker.

Dave Soltis tied the game with a two-run single to right field . Bryan Bleakley singled past diving third baseman Jevonte Osterhout and drove Wacker home with the go-ahead run. George Hajjar and Hoagboon added run-scoring singles and a Mohawk Valley lineup that had produced two hits through five innings suddenly had eight runs and a lead on the scoreboard.

Gunn relieved Fasolo in the top of the seventh and notched his first save with a scoreless inning of work.

Fasolo, who entered the game with a 15.00 ERA, allowed two earned runs on eight hits through six innings. He struck out four batters and walked one.

Hajjar and Hoagboon each had two of the seven Mohawk Valley hits while Will Remillard and Andrew Deeds each had two for the Dutchmen. Hoagboon also drew two of the DiamondDawgs’ 10 walks and reached base four times.

Bradstreet took the mound for his team-leading 20th appearance and third start in Game 2. Sporting an ERA of 6.02 entering the game, he tossed the DiamondDawgs’ third complete game of the season and allowed just one earned run.

Despite Bradstreet’s strong outing, the DiamondDawgs still trailed entering the fifth inning as Dutchman John Porter kept them off the scoreboard. Hajjar led off the fifth inning with a single, the third Mohawk Valley hit, and aggressive baserunning sparked a two-run rally to tie the game. Hajjar advanced to second base on a ground out by Gunn then stole third base. Catcher Ryan Welke’s throw got by Remillard at third base and Hajjar dashed home with the Diamonddawgs’ first run.

Hoagboon singled on the next pitch from Porter and did some aggressive running of his own. After nearly being picked off twice at first base, Hoagboon stole second. Porter whirled around and tried again to pick Hoagboon off at his new station but the throw sailed into center field. Hoagboon took off for third base and manager Troy Gerlach waived him around as the Dutchmen took their time retrieving the ball. Hoagboon scored standing up as Osterhout’s relay throw flew over the head of Welke.

Bradstreet set the Dutchmen down in order in the top of the sixth and the DiamondDawgs went back to work offensively in the bottom of the inning. Porter had not walked a batter  before issuing a free pass to Colin Monagle to start the sixth. Wacker bunted and a single by Soltis put runners on the corners with one out. The Dutchmen then botched another chance for a double play with shortstop Anthony Turgeon’s throw pulling Osterhout off the bag as Monagle scored the go-ahead run. Hajjar followed with a double to right field to drive home another run.

Casey Wilson relieved Porter and inherited runners at second and third. Both scored when Gunn lined a single off Remillard’s glove.

Wacker and Hajjar each had two hits in the second game. Osterhout and Steve Anderson had two hits for Albany.

The DiamondDawgs travel to Glens Falls for a game Monday then visit Albany Tuesday before finishing the season with a home game Wednesday against the Amsterdam Mohawks.
The DiamondDawgs, winners of seven of nine games since they were eliminated from playoff contention, caught Albany in the win column by beating the Dutchmen 8-5 and 6-2. Albany had led 5-1 entering the bottom of the sixth inning in Game 1 and 2-0 in the middle of the fifth in Game 2.