Mitchell Sanford on July 4 at Cantine Field.
The Saugerties Stallions saw their seven-game win streak snapped last week. What followed was a topsy-turvy run of games that left them in the middle of the East-Division pack but still well in the playoff hunt.
Saugerties had gone 7-3 over their last ten games, and was holding on to fourth place in the highly competitive East Division. While Amsterdam appear to have a firm grip on first place, just two games separate second-place Mohawk Valley (19-11) and Saugerties (16-12), with Albany (16-11) just a half-game above the Stallions in third. Oneonta (10-19) and Glens Falls (8-21) fill out the division.
On July 4, the visiting Albany Dutchmen brought the fireworks to Cantine Field, beating the Stallions 5-1, including a home run by Justin Bench. Saugerties had a 9-7 hit advantage, but with the exception of a Jake Skrine double in the first inning the rest were singles. Fritz Genther went 4-for-4 at the plate in the loss. Nolen Hester scored the Stallions’ sole run in the home half of the seventh on a single by Mitchell Sanford.
Billy Black took the loss on the mound for the Stallions, giving up four runs, only two of which were earned, on four hits and four walks over five innings of work. He struck out five. It was the first home defeat for Saugerties since June 21.
The Stallions hosted Glens Falls the following night, losing 2-1 as the Dragons snapped an eight-game streak of futility. Saugerties struck first in the game, with Dillon Lifrieri’s RBI single bringing Genther home. But while Saugerties starter Lane Miller started strong, he took the loss after 6.2 innings of work after allowing a pair of bases-loaded walks in the top of the seventh.
Saugerties had the weekend off due to rain postponing their home game against Amsterdam on Saturday, and darkness suspending their game at Albany on Sunday. The Stallions returned to Cantine on July 8, regaining their offensive mojo in a 9-4 win over Glens Falls.
The Stallions took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Genther scored on a Lifrieri sacrifice fly to right field. But the Dragons evened in the top of the fifth on an RBI single by Joseph Inpeduglia, adding a pair of runs two innings later. Saugerties broke the game wide open in the home half of the eighth inning, scoring eight runs on five hits and twelve batters, including a three-run double by Skrine and RBI singles by Lifrieri and Noah Ledford. Austin Cole went five innings for Saugerties, allowing only one hit and one run while striking out seven. Jeff Hayner earned the win with 1.1 innings of two-hit, one-run work.
Saugerties was back in action on Wednesday, July 10 with a trip to Amsterdam. The team returns home to host Albany this Friday, July 12 at 7:05 p.m. Then it’ll visit Albany on Saturday, and be back at Cantine on Sunday to host Mohawk Valley at 7:05 p.m.
The Stallions will host the 2019 Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League All-Star Game at Cantine Field on Tuesday, July 16, with six players chosen to represent the East Division. That’s the largest contingent of Stallions to make the All-Star squad in franchise history.
Miller (1.95 ERA, 34 strikeouts) will start the game for the East All-Stars, with Tyler Bonaventure (.326 average, five home runs, eight doubles, and 20 RBIs) also starting in the outfield. Saugerties all-star reserves include infielder Skrine, outfielder Lifrieri, and pitchers Cole and Henry Funaro.
“We are very proud to have all of our guys represent Saugerties in the PGCBL All-Star Game,” said Stallions head coach Collin Martin in a press release. “They are all having very fine seasons, and we are excited to watch them play in front of the hometown crowd.”