Playoff schedule changes, Thursday preview

Only one game will be played tonight in the Oneida County American Legion baseball playoffs due to wet field conditions at DeLutis Field in Rome.

Here is the updated schedule:

Thursday
(4) Utica vs. (3) Whitestown, 8 p.m.

Friday
(4) Utica/(3) Whitestown winner vs. (7) Sherrill, 5:30 p.m.
(2) New Hartford vs. (1) Smith, 8 p.m.

Read more about the changes here: http://www.uticaod.com/sports/legionbaseball/x379996010/Schedule-changes-for-Legion-playoffs

Here's a preview of tonight's only game:

Game 9: (4) Utica vs. (3) Whitestown at DeLutis Field, 8 p.m.
Whitestown was the victor in the only meeting between these two teams during the regular season. Zack Swider pitched a complete-game three-hitter, leading Whitestown to a 6-0 win back on June 24. Whitestown put up three runs in the top of the first inning, added one in the fourth, and two more insurance runs in the seventh. George Hajjar led Whitestown at the plate with a 2-for-4 performance.

Prediction: Whitestown. As has been the case with many of this postseason's games, this is a crapshoot. Either team is capable of winning and a lot will depend on pitching. While I think Utica's Joe Perrotta has the experience and willpower to lead his team to victory, I think his arm is a bit too tired to overpower Whitestown's hitting ability. For that reason, and that reason alone, I'm going with Whitestown.