County Playoffs: Wednesday Preview

There are only two games on tap for tonight. Love travels to Murnane Field's Donovan Stadium at 6 p.m. to take on Utica in first-round losers' bracket game. This one was scheduled for last night, but was postponed because of early rain earlier in the day. The second game, scheduled for 7 p.m., pits Sherrill at Adrean at DeLutis Field in a second-round losers' bracket match-up.

Here are your previews on these two "win-or-go-home" contests:

Game 7: (4) Utica vs. (8) Love at Murnane Field, 6 p.m.
Love beat Utica twice in a span of four days in two very close games during the regular season. The first was a 1-0 decision on July 7th at Murnane Field, with the second a July 10th 2-1 nail bitter in Boonville. The difference in Game one was a fourth-inning Love run. Game two wasn't decided until the very last inning when Love (9-9) scored a walk-off victory with a run in the bottom of the seventh.

Let's just say this, Love is a huge part of the reason why Utica (12-7) finished a game behind New Hartford for the Gold Division title. I'm sure none of Utica's players have forgotten those two losses and will be looking for revenge in a big way. Also, the season's over for the loser of this game. Win or go home. Expect both team's to pull out all the stops.

Prediction: Utica. There's just too much determination from the Utica players, and too little experience from Love's. While Utica's heartbreaking 4-3 eight-inning loss in last night's first round might be hard to recover from, I don't think it will hold them back in this one. Love is coming off a 12-0 mercy-rule loss to Smith, which is pretty crushing in itself. I expect Utica to win relatively easily in this game and bounce Love from the tournament.

Game 10: (7) Sherrill vs. (5) Adrean at DeLutis Field, 7 p.m.
Adrean topped Sherrill 10-3 on June 19 in the only regular season meeting between these teams. Steve Campbell pitched six innings, allowing just one earned run on five hits. But, this one was much closer than the final score would make one believe. Adrean broke open 4-3 game with six runs in the top of the seventh on its way to victory.

As this is a must-win game for both teams, expect the coaches to pull out all the stops. Adrean is in better pitching shape than Sherrill with Steve Campbell and Steve Sarcone both available to throw. Sherrill ace Ryan Dungey will likely be unavailble after throwing against New Hartford on Monday. Adrean and Sherrill are both capable of putting runs on the scoreboard, so don't be surprised if this is a high-scoring affair.

Prediction: Adrean. While this game is a toss-up in my eyes, I think Adrean will benefit from its favorable pitching situation, and take advantage of Sherrill's lack-there-of, to keep its season alive.

*Check back later for tonight's results and a preview of tomorrow's games.