Showdown Monday: Smith vs. New Hartford

The biggest game of the young season is upon us.

Get ready for a showdown at Joe Corr Memorial Field on Monday when Blue Division leader Smith Post 24 visits Gold Division leader New Hartford Post 1376. The match-up pins two premiere league rivals in a game that will leave one team with their first loss of the season. Smith is 6-0. New Hartford is 5-0.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. and I'll be there to provide live play-by-play updates for those of you who can't make it. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section throughout the game. I’ll also be there to answer any of your questions.

I spoke with coaches from both teams tonight – Smith’s Tony Abone Jr. and New Hartford’s Greg Jones. Both said they have yet to make their decision on a starting pitcher. But, looking at the team’s schedules from last week should give us a good idea of who might take the hill for each squad.

With Garrett Baker throwing in Smith’s 10-4 win over Whitestown on Thursday and Kyle Richardson pitching in a win over Moran on Saturday, it looks as though Joe Melioris is lined up to start his first game on the mound as a member of Smith Post. My guess is the 6-foot-10-inch righty gets the starting nod for the Romans.

As for New Hartford, ace Alex Giovannone will be on almost a week’s rest (he last pitched against Whitestown on Tuesday). Erik Sheridan was scheduled to start against Love in the latter half of the week, but was skipped in the rotation due to an illness, giving New Hartford two left-handed options to choose from. However, I expect to see Giovannone on the hill come game time.

While this game appears to have big implications, there is no doubt that both coaches are downplaying it's gravity to their players. Abone Jr. reminded me that it’s still early in the season and that this one game will not make or break the season. Having played for New Hartford, I know that Jones and manager John Randall share Abone’s perspective. They will remind their players that it’s not the playoffs yet and it’s just another game among many.

Regardless of how much season remains and what the coaches say, fans can expect to see a motivated effort from both sides. Smith and New Hartford have been two of the league's top teams in recent years, consistently battling for Oneida County supremacy. While there is a mutual respect between the players and coaches, neither side likes losing in this match-up, meaning legion fans should be in for a real treat come Monday evening.

See you then.