County Playoffs: Monday Preview

Game 1: (1) Smith (18-0) vs. (8) Love (9-8) at Bill Vinci Field, 5:30 p.m.
Smith took the only regular season match-up between these teams, 5-2, back on June 16th. Kyle Richardson went six innings, striking out 10 while allowing eight hits and walking two.

It will be interesting to see who Smith puts on the mound for this one. Will it go with one of its two aces - Garrett Baker or Joe Melioris? Or will it go with Richardson (not a bad third option) again and hope to get by while saving its top two arms.

"We’re not 100 percent sure," Smith manager Tony Abone Jr. said over the phone this evening. "I think all the pitchers, with the exception of Dustin Colgan, are ready to go. We talked a little about it today and we'll talk about it again tomorrow before we decide."

My guess is Smith goes with Richardson. He has already shown he can do the job and the kid has loads of playoff experience having pitched in each of the last two New York State Championship tournaments.

Prediction: Smith. This one is easy. Love has some good, young talent, but not enough to upset Oneida County's first undefeated team since 1991. None of Love's current players have ever been to the playoffs and it won't help that their first time around will be against a team that has played in the New York State Championship tournament in each of the past two seasons.

Game 2: (4) Utica (11-6) vs. (5) Adrean (11-7) at Murnane Field, 7 p.m.
Utica went 2-0 in the regular season against its cross-town rival. It took the first match-up 6-5 on June 17th when Joe Perrotta pitched a complete game, giving up six hits and five runs (just two were earned). The second meeting came in Adrean's Blue & Gold Tournament with Utica winning 10-5. This time it was the offense, specifically the top of the order, that did the job. Utica's one through four hitters went a combined 11-for-17 with six RBIs and seven runs scored.

Pitching is sure to play a huge role in this game, which may not be to Utica's advantage. Joe Perrotta pitched nine innings in a double-header against Sherrill on Thursday (three in the first game, six in the second) and T.J. Abounader was forced to leave Monday's game against New Hartford with back pains. It'll be interesting to see who Utica manager Greg Gaeta gives the nod for this game.

Prediction: Adrean. As the old saying goes, “It’s tough to beat a team three times in one season” and I think Adrean manager Mike Macchione will have his guys ready to go. Adrean banged out nine hits off of Smith ace Garrett Baker last Saturday – far more than any other team has managed this season. I think Adrean will bring the bats and advance in the winner’s bracket.

Game 3: (3) Whitestown (13-5) vs. (6) Roberts (10-8) at SUNYIT, 5:30 p.m.
The two teams split during the regular season. Roberts took the first meeting 11-3 back on June 18th when Geoff Ogden pitched a complete game five-hitter. While Roberts 2-3-4 hitters went a combined 6-for-12, the team had only five RBIs as it was aided big-time by six Whitestown errors. Whitestown avenged the loss with a 6-1 victory over Roberts in the team’s second meeting on July 13th. Mike Mahay was brilliant as he struck out 15 batters in a complete game one-hitter.

Quick note: Look for Connor Flisnik to have a big day at the plate. The recent Whitesboro grad has blasted Roberts’ pitching this season, going a combined 6-for-8 with two runs scored in the two games.

Prediction: Whitestown. This is a tough one, but I think it’s going to come down to experience. While Roberts is capable of the upset with some great hitting in the early part of the lineup, it struggled down the stretch, dropping six of its final nine league games. On top of that, Roberts has no real playoff experience as this is its first trip to the playoffs in years. On the other side, while I wasn’t impressed with Whitestown’s lackluster performance against Smith earlier in the week, it does have considerable playoff experience – 15 of its players were part of the team that won last year’s District V title and went on to place third in the New York State Championship tournament. Because of the experience and the fact that Roberts must travel to SUNYIT – a tough environment to play in (I know from experience) – I have to go with Whitestown in this one.

Game 4: (2) New Hartford (12-5) vs. (7) Sherrill (9-8) at DeLutis Field, 8 p.m.
These teams split in the regular season. Game one (back on June 25th) went to Sherrill 3-1 with New Hartford taking the second game 7-4 in 10 innings (that game was finished today after being suspended due to darkness on Tuesday).

Despite winning the Gold Division and earning the right to play at home, New Hartford will have to go on the “road” for this one. That's because the the baseball field's outfield is going to be used as a staging area (storing heavy machinery) for construction on the high school’s football field that is scheduled to start Monday. Even though it'll be the only higher seed not playing on its home field, New Hartford coach Greg Jones said it shouldn't make much of a difference.

“You still get last crack at a team,” Jones said. “And we don’t mind playing at DeLutis. We’ve played plenty of games up there over the past couple years. Even though we’re technically on the road, we’re okay with that because we’re familiar with the field and the way it plays.”

Prediction: Sherrill. As much as I’d like to see my old alma mater succeed, my gut is telling me Sherrill in this one. It’ll be hungry to avenge Sunday’s 7-4 loss to New Hartford and will likely have ace Ryan Dungey on the hill. Dungey is capable of beating any team in the league when he’s on his game and, as a college kid, he has the experience to boot. Sherrill should also benefit from some hot bats (Mark Dixon and Robert Sweet) in the middle of the order.

*So what do you guys think? Are my predictions pretty good or am I off my rocker? Let's hear what you have to say. Let the debating begin...

*ALSO, BE SURE TO CHECK OUT TOMORROW'S OD FOR MORE ON THE COUNTY PLAYOFFS.