Districts Finals Game one: The Aftermath

Game one of the District V best-of-three series final is in the books.

New Hartford topped Smith 9-8 in a wildly entertaining and dramatic 10-inning game at DeLutis Field, handing Smith its first loss to an Oneida County team in 2008. New Hartford (21-9) leads the series 1-0 with game two scheduled for today (Saturday) at 2 p.m. Smith (25-3-1) will need to win today to keep its season alive and force a third-and-deciding game three on Sunday (game time TBD).

So what does it all mean? Yes, we know New Hartford is now only one win away from returning to Newburgh - where it last played in the 2006 Mid-Atlantic Regionals - and Smith will need to pull off two wins with its back against the wall to return to the state tournament for the third consecutive year. But, where does each team stand with pitching after three games in the district tournament? What key players might be hampered by injuries?

Let's start with the pitching...

There's no denying that New Hartford is in a much better pitching situation than Smith entering today's second game. NH has only used four pitchers in three games this week, and still has starter Erik Sheridan waiting in the wings. Chandler Evans, who had Oneida County's second-lowest ERA (1.28) during the regular season, has also yet to throw in the district tournament. However, I have heard rumors that his arm is bothering him, so perhaps he is not an option. But, either way, Sheridan is ready to go on a full week's rest and Pat Derrane is also available (and Eric Verbickas should also be able to go a few innings after throwing on Wednesday).

On the other side, Smith's top three starters, Garrett Baker, Joe Melioris and Kyle Richardson have each thrown at least seven innings (Baker went nine on Wednesday, Richardson went seven on Thursday, and Melioris threw seven on Friday) in the last three days. Smith's Dustin Colgan threw two innings on Thursday and was used again tonight (he was pulled after only eight pitches - all balls). Nate Mallinder pitched two innings tonight after having thrown only once all season (in a non-league tournament in Albany).

That begs the question of who Smith will go with today? Will it come back with Baker on just three days rest? My guess is no (although I do think he goes Sunday in game three if Smith wins today). I think Smith goes with Ryan Kramer (its shortstop). While Kramer has thrown just 1 inning all season (according to the team's statistics on legionbaseball.com), I've been told he was a pretty good pitcher for the Oneida High School team this past spring. Seeing as though he hasn't thrown in quite some time, this will be something to watch if the Abone's do indeed decide to go with him.

Now to the injuries...

New Hartford catcher Mike Doyle went in Friday's game one despite a bad throwing arm (a foul tip caught him the arm on Wednesday night). It wasn't until just minutes before Friday's game that the New Hartford coaches decided to go with Doyle over rookie backup Tim Whalen. While Doyle was solid behind the plate tonight and Smith did not really take advantage of his injury on the base paths, this is still something to watch if he plays tomorrow.

For Smith, Kyle Richardson came out of Friday's game in the bottom of the ninth inning after popping his shoulder out of its socket on a diving catch attempt. Richardson just missed the catch, which allowed New Hartford to tie the game and send it to extra innings. Smith coach Tony Abone Jr. said after the game that he had to pop Richardson's shoulder back into place for him and that he had ice on it the remainder of the game in the dugout. Abone Jr. did not know Richardson's status for today's game, saying that they were going to take him to the hospital on the way home from the field to find out the extent of the injury.

Smith's Joe Melioris may also be injuried. He didn't seem comfortable on the mound all night Friday (not like he has throughout the rest of the season), and he continued to shake his throwing hand back and forth. Abone Jr. said after the game that his pitcher's hand was indeed bothering him. This is important for today because, if Kramer does pitch for Smith, normal third baseman Eli Hedrington would be expected to slide to shortstop with Melioris playing third base. However, if Melioris' injury keeps him from playing today (again, this is all assuming Kramer throws), Smith may go with Jason Nowicki at third, leaving a void in right field (in addition to a possible void of Richardson in center).

Having said all that, I do think New Hartford is in a great position with its pitching availability compared to Smith's lack-there-of. The injury to Richardson could also be huge for Smith as the recent RFA graduate is arguably Oneida County's best all-around player (in my opinion he is the best). Having said that, I do think that if Smith can find a way to win today, it will be in good shape come game three. It would have ace Garrett Baker ready to go on four days rest (I have to believe he would throw).

That's all for now legion fans (and yes it's 3 a.m., and yes I'm going to bed)...