New Hartford Post clinched first place in Oneida County's Gold Division today with a 9-8 win over Clonan Post coupled with a 7-6 Sherrill Post loss to Helmuth-Ingalls Post.
New Hartford (11-5) now owns the No. 2 seed in the upcoming Oneida County playoffs no matter what happens in tomorrow's resumed game against Sherrill (9-7).
However, tomorrow's game has seeding implications for Sherrill. With a win, it would earn the No. 6 seed (giving Roberts Post the seven seed) and would play Whitestown (13-5) in the first round of the playoffs on Monday. A loss would drop Sherrill back to the No. 7 spot (giving Roberts the sixth seed) and mean another match-up against New Hartford. Note that this would down to winning percentage as Sherrill will only have played 17 league games to Roberts 18 (that's because there is one less team in the Gold Division - remember Lee Post didn't field a team - than the Blue).
Having said that, all but the No. 6 and No. 7 playoff seeds are set in stone. Here is what they look like:
1) Smith (18-0)
2) New Hartford (11-5)
3) Whitestown (13-5)
4) Utica (11-6)
5) Adrean (11-7)
6) TBD - Roberts (10-8) or Sherrill (9-7)
7) TBD - Roberts (10-8) or Sherrill (9-7)
8) Love (9-8)
For those of you wondering how New Hartford has already clinched the Gold Division when a loss tomorrow could put it at 11-6 (the same record as Utica), and how Sherrill wouldn't risk falling to the eight spot with a loss (putting it at 9-8 like Love), I'll explain...
It comes down to the league's pre-determined tie-breakers. The first tie-breaker is the team's records head-to-head. If the teams have split games, then it goes to the second tie-breaker - record against playoff teams. And if there is still no discrepancy, then it is settled by each team's record against divisional opponents.
We'll start with Sherrill. Sherrill and Love split during the regular season, so we must go to the second tie-breaker. Love holds a 3-7 record against playoffs opponents. Sherrill is currently 4-5 against playoff teams with one game remaining against playoff-bound New Harford tomorrow. Even if it falters then, Sherrill's record against playoff teams would still be better than Love's, thus it cannot drop to No. 8.
As for New Hartford - if it were to lose tomorrow - another tie-breaker scenario would arise (this one with Utica). Head-to-head New Hartford and Utica split, so that wouldn't solve anything. Against playoff teams Utica has a record of 4-6 to New Hartford's 4-5 (a loss tomorrow would make it 4-6) - again, that gets us nowhere. So, we go to the third and final cirterion - each team's record against divisional opponents. Utica is 6-4 and New Hartford is 7-2. A loss tomorrow would drop that mark to 7-3 for New Hartford, which is still better than Utica's record against its fellow Gold Division teams, meaning New Hartford would take the top spot.
Got all that? Sorry if I've confused you.
Anyway, that's the story for now. Check back tomorrow to find out where Sherrill will end up traveling for its opening round game on Monday and to see if New Hartford can win to ride a seven-game league winning streak into the playoffs after dropping five straight earlier this season.
Enjoy your weekend legion fans...
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
Smith Post caps perfect season, etc.
Smith Post topped Sherrill Post 5-1 at Noyes Park tonight to complete the first undefeated regular season in Oneida County American Legion baseball in 17 years. The last team to do it was none other than Smith when it went 16-0 in 1991.
*Check out tomorrow's OD for Anne Delaney's story on the game.
Tonight's other games were also big match-ups and may play a key role in the outcome of the Gold Division. Utica blasted Clonan 11-0 in five innings (mercy rule) and New Hartford beat Fort Schuyler 5-3.
So what does it all mean?
Well, the Sherrill loss drops it to 9-6 (.600) and a full game back in the standings. Utica is now finished with its regular season with an 11-6 record - a winning percentage of .647. New Hartford's win puts it at 10-5 (.667) with two games remaining.
So, New Hartford is in first based on winning percentage. Utica, while no games back, trails New Hartford by .020 percentage points. Sherrill is in third.
But a lot can still happen in the way of the Gold Division's top three as New Hartford and Sherrill each have games tomorrow (New Hartford at Clonan and Sherrill finishing a previously suspended game at Helmuth-Ingalls). New Hartford and Sherrill then meet at noon on Sunday to finish a game that was suspended on Tuesday at 4-4 after eight innings. That game is at Noyes Park and may very well decide who takes the top spot in the Gold and the No. 2 overall seed in the playoffs.
Phew...got all that? What do guys you think? Who has the upper hand?
*Check out tomorrow's OD for Anne Delaney's story on the game.
Tonight's other games were also big match-ups and may play a key role in the outcome of the Gold Division. Utica blasted Clonan 11-0 in five innings (mercy rule) and New Hartford beat Fort Schuyler 5-3.
So what does it all mean?
Well, the Sherrill loss drops it to 9-6 (.600) and a full game back in the standings. Utica is now finished with its regular season with an 11-6 record - a winning percentage of .647. New Hartford's win puts it at 10-5 (.667) with two games remaining.
So, New Hartford is in first based on winning percentage. Utica, while no games back, trails New Hartford by .020 percentage points. Sherrill is in third.
But a lot can still happen in the way of the Gold Division's top three as New Hartford and Sherrill each have games tomorrow (New Hartford at Clonan and Sherrill finishing a previously suspended game at Helmuth-Ingalls). New Hartford and Sherrill then meet at noon on Sunday to finish a game that was suspended on Tuesday at 4-4 after eight innings. That game is at Noyes Park and may very well decide who takes the top spot in the Gold and the No. 2 overall seed in the playoffs.
Phew...got all that? What do guys you think? Who has the upper hand?
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Let's get ready to rumble...
Wow.
That's pretty much all that can be said to sum up the race for first place in Oneida County's Gold Division.
With only three days remaining in the regular season, New Hartford, Sherrill and Utica are separated by a mere .028 percentage points for the top spot in the Gold and the No. 2 seed in the County playoffs that are scheduled to kick off on Monday. Sherrill (9-5) and New Hartford (9-5) share a winning percentage of .643 while Utica (10-6), while no games back in the standings, is slightly behind with a .625 winning percentage.
While all three teams have secured a spot in the playoffs (Love currently holds the fourth and final spot at 9-8), the fight for seeding may not be settled until just hours before Sunday night's playoff seeding meeting at Parkhurst Post in Oriskany.
Here's a look at what's left in the season's final weekend for the three teams vying for first:
Utica
Friday: at Clonan, 6 p.m. at Sauquoit H.S.
Sherrill
Friday: vs. Smith, 6 p.m. at Noyes Park
Saturday: at Helmuth-Ingalls, 12 p.m. at Clinton H.S.
Sunday: vs. New Hartford, TBD at Noyes Park (suspended, 4-4 after eight innings)
New Hartford
Friday: at Fort Schuyler, 6 p.m. at DeLutis Field
Saturday: at Clonan, 12 p.m. at Sauquoit H.S.
Sunday: at Sherrill, TBD at Noyes Park (suspended, 4-4 after eight innings)
While Utica is in the best position in terms of needing to play only one more regular season game (should come up big in the conservation of pitching), I can't help but think New Hartford is now in the driver's seat with games left at the Fort Schuyler (3-11) and Clonan (1-13) before it meets up with Sherrill for the all-important season finale. Utica simply does not hold its own fate in its hands after Monday's loss to New Hartford and today's split with Sherrill. While Sherrill can also determine its own destiny, I don't know if they'll be able to get by a Smith (17-0) team that is determined to become the first undefeated team in Oneida County since 1991.
But, as the old saying goes: That's why they play the game. So, we'll just have to wait and see.
I want to know what you guys think. Who will win the race for first in the Gold? Also, who's going to come out on top in next week's Oneida County playoffs and who might we be overlooking heading in? Feel free to drop a line with any other thoughts as well.
Until next time, take it easy legion fans...
That's pretty much all that can be said to sum up the race for first place in Oneida County's Gold Division.
With only three days remaining in the regular season, New Hartford, Sherrill and Utica are separated by a mere .028 percentage points for the top spot in the Gold and the No. 2 seed in the County playoffs that are scheduled to kick off on Monday. Sherrill (9-5) and New Hartford (9-5) share a winning percentage of .643 while Utica (10-6), while no games back in the standings, is slightly behind with a .625 winning percentage.
While all three teams have secured a spot in the playoffs (Love currently holds the fourth and final spot at 9-8), the fight for seeding may not be settled until just hours before Sunday night's playoff seeding meeting at Parkhurst Post in Oriskany.
Here's a look at what's left in the season's final weekend for the three teams vying for first:
Utica
Friday: at Clonan, 6 p.m. at Sauquoit H.S.
Sherrill
Friday: vs. Smith, 6 p.m. at Noyes Park
Saturday: at Helmuth-Ingalls, 12 p.m. at Clinton H.S.
Sunday: vs. New Hartford, TBD at Noyes Park (suspended, 4-4 after eight innings)
New Hartford
Friday: at Fort Schuyler, 6 p.m. at DeLutis Field
Saturday: at Clonan, 12 p.m. at Sauquoit H.S.
Sunday: at Sherrill, TBD at Noyes Park (suspended, 4-4 after eight innings)
While Utica is in the best position in terms of needing to play only one more regular season game (should come up big in the conservation of pitching), I can't help but think New Hartford is now in the driver's seat with games left at the Fort Schuyler (3-11) and Clonan (1-13) before it meets up with Sherrill for the all-important season finale. Utica simply does not hold its own fate in its hands after Monday's loss to New Hartford and today's split with Sherrill. While Sherrill can also determine its own destiny, I don't know if they'll be able to get by a Smith (17-0) team that is determined to become the first undefeated team in Oneida County since 1991.
But, as the old saying goes: That's why they play the game. So, we'll just have to wait and see.
I want to know what you guys think. Who will win the race for first in the Gold? Also, who's going to come out on top in next week's Oneida County playoffs and who might we be overlooking heading in? Feel free to drop a line with any other thoughts as well.
Until next time, take it easy legion fans...
Sherrill & Utica split
It's a gorgeous day here at Murnane Field's Donovan Stadium for today's Sherrill-Utica double header. The brand new scoreboard here at Murnane looks great. It's showing the temperature to be 86 degrees - and it feels hotter! We could use some a/c in the press box!
Anyway - as sweat drips down my back - the coaches are meeting with the umpires right now to go over the ground rules. Once they're done, the first game - a continuation of a suspended game from earlier in the season - will begin. That game will start in the top of the ninth with the score 7-7. Sherrill is the home team.
The second game will start right after the first is over. I'll keep you guys posted on the outcome of this first game and then blog with play-by-play for the entire second game.
Coming in, Sherrill (8-4) and Utica (9-5) are tied for first place in the Gold Division.
Game One
Top 9th: Ryan Dungey is on the hill for Sherrill. After giving up a single to right to Mike Obernesser, Dungey threw out Obenesser at second on a bunt fielder's choice by Joe Mazzara. Devin Warmack bunted Mazzara over to second, but was tagged out by the first baseman for the second out. Mike Scotellaro ripped an RBI triple to the gap in right-center field to put Utica up by one. Utica 8, Sherrill 7. Ryan Donovan grounded out to the second baseman to end the inning, stranding Scotellaro at third.
*Sherrill must score at least one to extend the game, and two to win.
Bottom 9th: Joe Perrotta is pitching for Utica. Mitch Iseneker led off with a groundball single up the middle, but was picked off by Perrotta for the first out. Mark Dixon drew a walk on a 3-1 pitch to give Sherrill a one-out baserunner. Matt Sayles singled to left-center, starting a crazy play. Dixon went all the way to third and the throw from the center fielder Warmack went to short, then to second, then to first in an attempt to get Sayles who was caught off of first. Scotellaro (first baseman) ran Sayles down and tagged him near second base, but by that time Dixon had taken off for home and Scotellaro's throw was late, allowing Sherrill to tie the game. Utica 8, Sherrill 8. Robert Sweet then reached on an infield single to give Sherrill a two-out baserunner. Mike Blair struck out to end the inning, but not before Sherrill tied it up to force another extra inning.
Utica 8, Sherrill 8
Top 10th: Mark VanDreason struck out looking for the first out. Perrotta grounded out to second for the second out. Nick Mishlanie was beaned in the foot to give Utica a two-out baserunner, but Vin Gaetano struck out swinging for the third out.
Bottom 10th: A Kevin Sayles strike out to lead off was followed by a Jamie Cielinski walk. Jermy Roden gave himself up, bunting Cielinski to second, but Dungey flew out deep to center to end the inning.
Utica 8, Sherrill 8
Top 11th: Justin Hall walked to lead off the inning and then went to second on a throwing error on a pickoff attempt from Dungey. Mazzara laid down a nice bunt to move Hall to third, but Dungey made another error - throwing the ball into right field - allowing Hall to score and Mazzara to get to second. Utica 9, Sherrill 8. Warmack struck out swinging for the first out. Scotellaro then singled home Mazzara and went to second on the throw from the left fielder to the cut off. Utica 10, Sherrill 8. Donovan flew out to right, but Scotellaro tagged and went to third. VanDreason hit an RBI triple to left-center to give Utica a three-run advantage. Utica 11, Sherrill 8. Perrotta lined out to first on a nice diving grab by Sweet to end the inning.
*Sherrill must score at least three to extend the game, and four to win.
Bottom 11th: Iseneker tripled down the right field line to lead off. Dixon brought Iseneker home with an RBI single. Utica 11, Sherrill 9. Matt Sayles walked to put runners on first and second with no outs. Sweet grounded into a 6-4 fielder's choice for the first out (runners on first and third, one out). Perrotta threw a wild pitch over the head of the catcher to allow Dixon to score from third. Utica 11, Sherrill 10. Another wild pitch from Perrotta allowed Sweet to get to third, putting the tying run just 90 feet away. Blair flew out to left for the second out. Lucas Pitman came in to pinch hit for Sherrill. Pitman grounded out to the shortstop on the first pitch he saw to end the game.
FINAL: Sherrill 11, Utica 10
Game Two
Starting lineups:
Utica (10-5)
1. Devin Warmack, CF
2. Mike Scotellaro, 1B
3. Mark VanDreason, 2B
4. Ryan Donovan, 3B
5. Joe Perrotta, P
6. Mike King, LF
7. Joe Mazzara, RF
8. Justin Hall, SS
9. Nick Mishlanie, C
Pitcher: Joe Perrotta, RHP
Sherrill (8-5)
1. Ryan Dungey, CF
2. Jermy Roden, SS
3. Mitch Iseneker, LF
4. Mark Dixon, 3B
5. Matt Sayles, C
6. Robert Sweet, 1B
7. Mike Blair, 2B
8. Lucas Pitman, DH
9. Tyler Maunter, RF
Pitcher: Jason Dalton, RHP
Top 1st: Perrotta struck out Dungey swinging, Roden looking and Iseneker swinging to put down the side in order.
Bottom 1st: Warmack grounded out to second for the first out. Scotellaro popped out in foul territory on a nice diving catch by the catcher for the second out. VanDreason flew out to Dungey in center to end the inning.
Utica 0, Sherrill 0
Top 2nd: Dixon led off with a deep triple to left-center field. Sayles' knocked Dixon in with a 4-3 groundout. Sherrill 1, Utica 0. Sweet grounded out to Perrotta for the second out. Blair chopped a weak grounder to Perrotta for a 1-3 groundout for the third out.
Bottom 2nd: Donovan popped out to second for the first out followed by a Perrotta groundout to third for the second out. King drew a two-out walk and then moved to second on a single by Mazzara. Hall popped out to Sweet in foul territory to end the inning.
Sherrill 1, Utica 0
Top 3rd: Pitman struck out swinging for the first out. Maunter walked and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Dungey. Roden flew out to left for the third out.
Bottom 3rd: Mishlanie reached first on an error by the shortstop. Warmack grounded into a 4-3 double play - Blair scooped up the groundered, touched second himself, and then made a good throw to first to finish the play. Scotellaro poked a two-out single up the middle. VanDreason flew out to center to end the inning.
Sherrill 1, Utica 0
Top 4th: Iseneker lined out to third for the first out. Dixon reached on a full-count walk and then advanced to second on an error by Scotellaro when he missed a pickoff throw from Perrotta. Sayles flew out to center and Dixon tagged and headed to third. Warmack's throw to third was wild and got past Donovan, allowing Dixon to score. Sherrill 2, Utica 0. Sweet reached when Scotellaro made his second error of the inning, allowing a groundball to skid through his legs. Blair put runners on first and second with a single to left. Pitman flew out to Mazzara in right for the third out.
Bottom 4th: Donovan struck out swinging for the first out. Perrotta struck out swinging on a nasty curve from Dalton. King grounded out to first to end the inning.
Sherrill 2, Utica 0
Top 5th: Maunter flew out to right for the first out. Dungey grounded out to second for the second out. Roden went down swinging for the third out.
Bottom 5th: Mazzara walked to lead off. Hall got beaned to put runners on first and second with no outs. Steve Davis came in to relieve Dalton. Utica played small ball as Mishlanie gave himself up, moving Mazzara to third and Hall to second - putting the tying run at second. Warmack stuck out looking for the second out. Scotellaro grounded out to Blair at second to end the inning, stranding two runners in scoring position.
Sherrill 2, Utica 0
Top 6th: Iseneker singled to left to lead off. Dixon flew out to right for the first out. Iseneker was caught stealing by Mishlanie for the second out. Sayles then struck out swinging for the third out.
Bottom 6th: VanDreason grounded out 3-1 for the first out. Donovan drew a one-out walk to give Utica a baserunner. Perrotta grounded out to Sweet at first for the second out. Donovan beat Sweet's throw to second for the double play, giving Utica a runner at second with two down. Donovan advanced to third on a wild pitch from Davis. King struck out swinging to end the inning, stranding Donovan at third.
Sherrill 2, Utica 0
*Some changes for Utica: Donovan came in to pitch for Perrotta who went to shortstop. Hall came out of the game and Tom Reilly entered in left field in Hall's spot in the order. King moved from left field to third base.
Top 7th: Sweet led off with a bloop single to right. Blair picked up his second hit of the night, ripping a double to left-center to put runners on second and third with no outs. A passed ball (Mishlanie tried to backhand a ball in the dirt) allowed Sweet to score from third and Blair to move up to third. Sherrill 3, Utica 0. Davis walked to put runners on the corners with no outs. Maunter hit a line-drive single to right, bringing home Blair and putting runners on first and second with no outs. Sherrill 4, Utica 0. Dungey bunted the third strike foul for the first out. Roden popped out to Scotellaro at first for the second out. Iseneker walked to load the bases with two outs. Dixon walked, picking up an RBI and bringing in another run for Sherrill. Sherrill 5, Utica 0. Sayles drew a third straight walk to bring home another run. Sherrill 6, Utica 0. King came in to relieve Donovan on the hill. Donovan went back to third base. Sweet greeted King with a bomb of a double over the head of Warmack in center, clearing the bases for three RBIs. Sherrill 9, Utica 0. Sweet was thrown out at third trying to stretch the hit into a triple.
Bottom 7th: Mazzara flew out to right for the first out. Reilly struck out swinging for the second out. Mishlanie popped out to second to end the game.
FINAL: Sherrill 9, Utica 0
Anyway - as sweat drips down my back - the coaches are meeting with the umpires right now to go over the ground rules. Once they're done, the first game - a continuation of a suspended game from earlier in the season - will begin. That game will start in the top of the ninth with the score 7-7. Sherrill is the home team.
The second game will start right after the first is over. I'll keep you guys posted on the outcome of this first game and then blog with play-by-play for the entire second game.
Coming in, Sherrill (8-4) and Utica (9-5) are tied for first place in the Gold Division.
Game One
Top 9th: Ryan Dungey is on the hill for Sherrill. After giving up a single to right to Mike Obernesser, Dungey threw out Obenesser at second on a bunt fielder's choice by Joe Mazzara. Devin Warmack bunted Mazzara over to second, but was tagged out by the first baseman for the second out. Mike Scotellaro ripped an RBI triple to the gap in right-center field to put Utica up by one. Utica 8, Sherrill 7. Ryan Donovan grounded out to the second baseman to end the inning, stranding Scotellaro at third.
*Sherrill must score at least one to extend the game, and two to win.
Bottom 9th: Joe Perrotta is pitching for Utica. Mitch Iseneker led off with a groundball single up the middle, but was picked off by Perrotta for the first out. Mark Dixon drew a walk on a 3-1 pitch to give Sherrill a one-out baserunner. Matt Sayles singled to left-center, starting a crazy play. Dixon went all the way to third and the throw from the center fielder Warmack went to short, then to second, then to first in an attempt to get Sayles who was caught off of first. Scotellaro (first baseman) ran Sayles down and tagged him near second base, but by that time Dixon had taken off for home and Scotellaro's throw was late, allowing Sherrill to tie the game. Utica 8, Sherrill 8. Robert Sweet then reached on an infield single to give Sherrill a two-out baserunner. Mike Blair struck out to end the inning, but not before Sherrill tied it up to force another extra inning.
Utica 8, Sherrill 8
Top 10th: Mark VanDreason struck out looking for the first out. Perrotta grounded out to second for the second out. Nick Mishlanie was beaned in the foot to give Utica a two-out baserunner, but Vin Gaetano struck out swinging for the third out.
Bottom 10th: A Kevin Sayles strike out to lead off was followed by a Jamie Cielinski walk. Jermy Roden gave himself up, bunting Cielinski to second, but Dungey flew out deep to center to end the inning.
Utica 8, Sherrill 8
Top 11th: Justin Hall walked to lead off the inning and then went to second on a throwing error on a pickoff attempt from Dungey. Mazzara laid down a nice bunt to move Hall to third, but Dungey made another error - throwing the ball into right field - allowing Hall to score and Mazzara to get to second. Utica 9, Sherrill 8. Warmack struck out swinging for the first out. Scotellaro then singled home Mazzara and went to second on the throw from the left fielder to the cut off. Utica 10, Sherrill 8. Donovan flew out to right, but Scotellaro tagged and went to third. VanDreason hit an RBI triple to left-center to give Utica a three-run advantage. Utica 11, Sherrill 8. Perrotta lined out to first on a nice diving grab by Sweet to end the inning.
*Sherrill must score at least three to extend the game, and four to win.
Bottom 11th: Iseneker tripled down the right field line to lead off. Dixon brought Iseneker home with an RBI single. Utica 11, Sherrill 9. Matt Sayles walked to put runners on first and second with no outs. Sweet grounded into a 6-4 fielder's choice for the first out (runners on first and third, one out). Perrotta threw a wild pitch over the head of the catcher to allow Dixon to score from third. Utica 11, Sherrill 10. Another wild pitch from Perrotta allowed Sweet to get to third, putting the tying run just 90 feet away. Blair flew out to left for the second out. Lucas Pitman came in to pinch hit for Sherrill. Pitman grounded out to the shortstop on the first pitch he saw to end the game.
FINAL: Sherrill 11, Utica 10
Game Two
Starting lineups:
Utica (10-5)
1. Devin Warmack, CF
2. Mike Scotellaro, 1B
3. Mark VanDreason, 2B
4. Ryan Donovan, 3B
5. Joe Perrotta, P
6. Mike King, LF
7. Joe Mazzara, RF
8. Justin Hall, SS
9. Nick Mishlanie, C
Pitcher: Joe Perrotta, RHP
Sherrill (8-5)
1. Ryan Dungey, CF
2. Jermy Roden, SS
3. Mitch Iseneker, LF
4. Mark Dixon, 3B
5. Matt Sayles, C
6. Robert Sweet, 1B
7. Mike Blair, 2B
8. Lucas Pitman, DH
9. Tyler Maunter, RF
Pitcher: Jason Dalton, RHP
Top 1st: Perrotta struck out Dungey swinging, Roden looking and Iseneker swinging to put down the side in order.
Bottom 1st: Warmack grounded out to second for the first out. Scotellaro popped out in foul territory on a nice diving catch by the catcher for the second out. VanDreason flew out to Dungey in center to end the inning.
Utica 0, Sherrill 0
Top 2nd: Dixon led off with a deep triple to left-center field. Sayles' knocked Dixon in with a 4-3 groundout. Sherrill 1, Utica 0. Sweet grounded out to Perrotta for the second out. Blair chopped a weak grounder to Perrotta for a 1-3 groundout for the third out.
Bottom 2nd: Donovan popped out to second for the first out followed by a Perrotta groundout to third for the second out. King drew a two-out walk and then moved to second on a single by Mazzara. Hall popped out to Sweet in foul territory to end the inning.
Sherrill 1, Utica 0
Top 3rd: Pitman struck out swinging for the first out. Maunter walked and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Dungey. Roden flew out to left for the third out.
Bottom 3rd: Mishlanie reached first on an error by the shortstop. Warmack grounded into a 4-3 double play - Blair scooped up the groundered, touched second himself, and then made a good throw to first to finish the play. Scotellaro poked a two-out single up the middle. VanDreason flew out to center to end the inning.
Sherrill 1, Utica 0
Top 4th: Iseneker lined out to third for the first out. Dixon reached on a full-count walk and then advanced to second on an error by Scotellaro when he missed a pickoff throw from Perrotta. Sayles flew out to center and Dixon tagged and headed to third. Warmack's throw to third was wild and got past Donovan, allowing Dixon to score. Sherrill 2, Utica 0. Sweet reached when Scotellaro made his second error of the inning, allowing a groundball to skid through his legs. Blair put runners on first and second with a single to left. Pitman flew out to Mazzara in right for the third out.
Bottom 4th: Donovan struck out swinging for the first out. Perrotta struck out swinging on a nasty curve from Dalton. King grounded out to first to end the inning.
Sherrill 2, Utica 0
Top 5th: Maunter flew out to right for the first out. Dungey grounded out to second for the second out. Roden went down swinging for the third out.
Bottom 5th: Mazzara walked to lead off. Hall got beaned to put runners on first and second with no outs. Steve Davis came in to relieve Dalton. Utica played small ball as Mishlanie gave himself up, moving Mazzara to third and Hall to second - putting the tying run at second. Warmack stuck out looking for the second out. Scotellaro grounded out to Blair at second to end the inning, stranding two runners in scoring position.
Sherrill 2, Utica 0
Top 6th: Iseneker singled to left to lead off. Dixon flew out to right for the first out. Iseneker was caught stealing by Mishlanie for the second out. Sayles then struck out swinging for the third out.
Bottom 6th: VanDreason grounded out 3-1 for the first out. Donovan drew a one-out walk to give Utica a baserunner. Perrotta grounded out to Sweet at first for the second out. Donovan beat Sweet's throw to second for the double play, giving Utica a runner at second with two down. Donovan advanced to third on a wild pitch from Davis. King struck out swinging to end the inning, stranding Donovan at third.
Sherrill 2, Utica 0
*Some changes for Utica: Donovan came in to pitch for Perrotta who went to shortstop. Hall came out of the game and Tom Reilly entered in left field in Hall's spot in the order. King moved from left field to third base.
Top 7th: Sweet led off with a bloop single to right. Blair picked up his second hit of the night, ripping a double to left-center to put runners on second and third with no outs. A passed ball (Mishlanie tried to backhand a ball in the dirt) allowed Sweet to score from third and Blair to move up to third. Sherrill 3, Utica 0. Davis walked to put runners on the corners with no outs. Maunter hit a line-drive single to right, bringing home Blair and putting runners on first and second with no outs. Sherrill 4, Utica 0. Dungey bunted the third strike foul for the first out. Roden popped out to Scotellaro at first for the second out. Iseneker walked to load the bases with two outs. Dixon walked, picking up an RBI and bringing in another run for Sherrill. Sherrill 5, Utica 0. Sayles drew a third straight walk to bring home another run. Sherrill 6, Utica 0. King came in to relieve Donovan on the hill. Donovan went back to third base. Sweet greeted King with a bomb of a double over the head of Warmack in center, clearing the bases for three RBIs. Sherrill 9, Utica 0. Sweet was thrown out at third trying to stretch the hit into a triple.
Bottom 7th: Mazzara flew out to right for the first out. Reilly struck out swinging for the second out. Mishlanie popped out to second to end the game.
FINAL: Sherrill 9, Utica 0
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Two-time Thursday: Sherrill-Utica
There's a big match-up Thursday in Oneida County American Legion baseball Thursday. Actually, two big match-ups between the same teams - Sherrill and Utica will first finish a game that was suspended in a tie after eight innings and then play a full second game Thursday at Murnane Field's Donovan Stadium. The suspended game resumes at 5:30 p.m. with the second game to follow right after.
These two games are huge for both teams as Utica (9-5) and Sherrill (8-4) are tied for first in the Gold Division and vying for playoff position. New Hartford is half a game back in the Gold and travels to Clinton High School to take on Helmuth-Ingalls at 6 p.m. Each of these games are huge and will have major implications on home-field advantage and seeding in the Oneida County Playoffs.
I'll be blogging live with play-by-play updates from both Sherrill-Utica games. If you can't make it out to the games, be sure to follow along here to find out who will improve their positioning heading into the weekend. Also, leave any of your comments, thoughts or questions in the "comment" section below.
I want to know who you guys think will come out on top of the Gold Division. Who do you think will win the Oneida County playoffs? Who's the most dangerous team in the playoffs? What do you think about the later games being played at DeLutis Field rather than Murnane? Feel free to chime in with any other thoughts as well. I'd love to hear them.
Here's a look at what's left for Utica, Sherrill and New Hartford as they fight for position over the final four days of the regular season:
Utica
Thursday: at Sherrill, 5:30 p.m. at Murnane
Thursday: vs. Sherrill, 6 p.m. at Murnane
Friday: at Clonan, 6 p.m. at Sauquoit H.S.
Sherrill
Thursday: vs. Utica, 5:30 p.m. at Murnane
Thursday: at Utica, 6 p.m. at Murnane
Friday: vs. Smith, 6 p.m. at Noyes Park
Saturday: at Helmuth-Ingalls, 12 p.m. at Clinton H.S.
TBD: vs. New Hartford, at Noyes Park (suspended, 4-4 after eight innings)
New Hartford
Thursday: at Helmuth-Ingalls, 6 p.m. at Clinton H.S.
Friday: at Fort Schuyler, 6 p.m. at DeLutis Field
Saturday: at Clonan, 12 p.m. at Sauquoit H.S.
TBD: at Sherrill, at Noyes Park (suspended, 4-4 after eight innings)
These two games are huge for both teams as Utica (9-5) and Sherrill (8-4) are tied for first in the Gold Division and vying for playoff position. New Hartford is half a game back in the Gold and travels to Clinton High School to take on Helmuth-Ingalls at 6 p.m. Each of these games are huge and will have major implications on home-field advantage and seeding in the Oneida County Playoffs.
I'll be blogging live with play-by-play updates from both Sherrill-Utica games. If you can't make it out to the games, be sure to follow along here to find out who will improve their positioning heading into the weekend. Also, leave any of your comments, thoughts or questions in the "comment" section below.
I want to know who you guys think will come out on top of the Gold Division. Who do you think will win the Oneida County playoffs? Who's the most dangerous team in the playoffs? What do you think about the later games being played at DeLutis Field rather than Murnane? Feel free to chime in with any other thoughts as well. I'd love to hear them.
Here's a look at what's left for Utica, Sherrill and New Hartford as they fight for position over the final four days of the regular season:
Utica
Thursday: at Sherrill, 5:30 p.m. at Murnane
Thursday: vs. Sherrill, 6 p.m. at Murnane
Friday: at Clonan, 6 p.m. at Sauquoit H.S.
Sherrill
Thursday: vs. Utica, 5:30 p.m. at Murnane
Thursday: at Utica, 6 p.m. at Murnane
Friday: vs. Smith, 6 p.m. at Noyes Park
Saturday: at Helmuth-Ingalls, 12 p.m. at Clinton H.S.
TBD: vs. New Hartford, at Noyes Park (suspended, 4-4 after eight innings)
New Hartford
Thursday: at Helmuth-Ingalls, 6 p.m. at Clinton H.S.
Friday: at Fort Schuyler, 6 p.m. at DeLutis Field
Saturday: at Clonan, 12 p.m. at Sauquoit H.S.
TBD: at Sherrill, at Noyes Park (suspended, 4-4 after eight innings)
FINAL: Smith 11, Whitestown 2
I'm here at SUNY-IT for today's showdown between Smith Post and Whitestown Post. Smith is in first place in the Blue Division at 15-0 and looking to inch closer to a perfect regular season. Whitestown (12-4) has won 12 of its last 13 league games after getting off to an 0-3 start.
I'll be here to provide live updates throughout today's game for you to follow along with the action. Feel free to leave any comments or questions that you may have for me as I'll be more than happy to interact. Now, let's play ball...
Starting lineups:
Whitestown (12-4)
1. Connor Flisnik, 2B
2. Paris Rich, LF
3. George Hajjar, RF
4. Alex Ferenti, SS
5. Tyler Beck, 1B
6. Mike Nassar, CF
7. Jim Engler, DH
8. Matt Wilk, 3B
9. Chris Vomer, C
Pitcher: Mike Fasolo, RHP
Smith (15-0)
1. Kyle Richardson, CF
2. Nate Mallinder, LF
3. Jason Nowicki, 3B
4. Zack Ciccotti, C
5. Rocco DeBlasiis, DH
6. Ryan Marquette, 1B
7. Eli Hendrington, SS
8. Mike Stevens, 2B
9. Ryan Grogg, RF
Pitcher: Joe Melioris, RHP
*Note: Smith is without a big bat in Ryan Kramer. Smith's usual shortstop will miss the game as he is on a college visit.
Top 1st: Richardson walked on six pitches to lead off the game. Mallinder gave himself up, bunting Richardson to second on a 1-3 sacrifice. Nowicki bombed a two-run homerun to left, giving Smith the early lead. Smith 2, Whitestown 0. Ciccotti struck out swinging for the second out. DeBlasiis singled up the middle. Marquette hit a single to right field to put runners on first and second with two outs. Hendrington poked an RBI single to center, bringing home DeBlasiis, but Hendrington was picked off of first as he rounded the base too far on the play. Smith 3, Whitestown 0.
Bottom 1st: Flisnik grounded out to the shortstop for the first out. Melioris got Rich looking for the second out. Hajjar walked to put a runner on first with two out. Ferenti flew out on a deep drive to center field to end the inning.
Smith 3, Whitestown 0
Top 2nd: Stevens grounded out to the shortstop for the first out. Grogg flew out to right for the second out. Richardson drew a two-out walk then stole second on the first pitch to Mallinder after two straight pickoff attempts from Fasolo. Richardson moved to third on a wild pitch curveball. Mallinder ripped a curveball to right field for an RBI single. Smith 4, Whitestown 0. Mallinder advanced to second on the play as Hajjar misplayed the ball in right for an error. Nowicki hit an infield single toward the hole on the left side of the infield that Ferenti made a great play to backhand, but his throw was missed by Beck at first (error on Beck as it should have been caught easily, but he missed it trying to make the stretch). Mallinder scored from second and Nowicki went to second on the play. Smith 5, Whitestown 0. Ciccotti flew out on a deep fly to left to end the inning.
Bottom 2nd: Beck grounded out to Ciccotti on a check-swing chopper in front of home plate for the first out. Nassar flew out to center on the first pitch he saw and Engler then grounded out 6-3 to end the inning.
Smith 5, Whitestown 0
*Whitestown starter Mike Fasolo has thrown 52 pitches (26 each inning) through two innings compared to just 23 total for Smith's Joe Melioris.
Top 3rd: DeBlasiis ripped a line-drive single over the head of the shortstop on the first pitch he saw to lead off the inning. He went to second on a wild pitch from Fasolo. Marquette bunted toward the left side and reached first safely when Flisnik dropped Fasolo's throw to first for Whitestown's third error of the game (DeBlasiis went to third). Hendrington hit his second RBI single of the game - a liner past the diving third baseman - on a 3-2 offering from Fasolo. Smith 6, Whitestown 0. Stevens popped up a bunt to the catcher for the first out. Grogg popped out to the third baseman for the second out (runners on first and second, two outs). Richardson loaded the bases with his third walk of the game. Mallinder hit a two-RBI single to left, scoring Marquette from third and Hendrington from second, and moving Richardson to third. Smith 8, Whitestown 0. With runners on the corners, Nowicki ripped an RBI single to left. Smith 9, Whitestown 0. Mallinder was stealing on the pitch and went all the way to third. Ciccotti grounded out 6-4 to end the inning.
Bottom, 3rd: Wilk struck out swinging for the first out. Vomer went down looking for the second out. Melioris put down the side in order with a 3-2 strike out of Flisnik to end the inning.
Smith 9, Whitestown 0
Top 4th: DeBlasiis grounded out to the shortstop for the first out. Marquette drew a one-out walk to reach for the third time today. Hendrington grounded into a 6-4 fielder's choice for the second out (runner on first, two outs). Stevens struck out looking at a nasty curveball from Fasolo for the third out.
Bottom 4th: Rich grounded out to short for the first out. Hajjar popped up the first pitch he saw toward the first base dugout. It was caught by Marquette in foul territory for the second out. Ferenti popped out to Marquette to end the inning.
Smith 9, Whitestown 0
*Matt Wilk has come in to pitch for Whitestown. DH Jim Engler took over for Wilk at third base.
Top 5th: Grogg grounded out 6-3 for the first out. Richardson beat out a grounder down the third baseline for an infield single. Mallinder ripped a one-hop grounder at the mound that was snagged by Wilk and turned into a 1-6-3 double play to end the inning.
Bottom 5th: Beck grounded out to Stevens at second for the first out. Nassar hit an opposite field single to left that was just out of the reach of a sliding Mallinder for Whitestown's first hit of the game. Engler ripped a line-drive single to right to put runners on first and second with one out. Wilk hit an RBI single to right to score Nassar from second for Whitestown first run of the game (runners on first and second, one out). Smith 9, Whitestown 1. Vomer got beaned, bringing up the top of order with one out and the bases loaded. Flisnik struck out looking for the second out. Rich brought home another run and picked up an RBI on a five-pitch walk. Smith 9, Whitestown 2. Hajjar popped out to the second baseman, leaving the bases loaded.
Smith 9, Whitestown 2
*Whitestown changes: Rich moved to center and Jim Klauser came in at left (he'll take Nassar's spot in the order). Chris Flynn came in for Beck at first.
Top 6th: Nowicki reached on a throwing error by the third baseman. He went all the way to second as the throw flew over the first baseman's head and into the outfield. Ciccotti grounded out 5-3 for the first out. DeBlasiis singled to right for his third hit of the game (runners on first and third, one out). Marquette hit the first pitch he saw for an RBI single up the middle (runners on first and second, one out). Smith 10, Whitestown 2. Hendrington flew out to deep center field for the second out. DeBlasiis tagged up and went to third on the play (runners on first and third, two outs). Stevens struck out swinging to end the inning, stranding runners on first and second.
*Matt Warner has come in to catch for Smith.
Bottom 6th: Melioris got Ferenti swinging on a full-count fastball for the first out. Flynn flew out to Richardson in center for the second out. Klauder grounded out weakly to Melioris to end the inning.
Smith 10, Whitestown 2
*Hajjar has moved from right field to the mound for Whitestown. M.J. Hajec took his place in right.
Top 7th: Hajjar struck out Grogg swinging for the first out. Richardson singled to center to put a runner on with one out (he's reached in all five plate appearances today - three walks, two singles). Mallinder ripped a line-drive RBI double to the gap in left-center field. Smith 11, Whitestown 2. Nowicki ripped a liner toward the hole on the right side, but Flisnik made a phenomenal play to stab the ball on a dive and throw to second from his knees to double up Mallinder and end the inning.
*Dustin Colgan has come on to relieve Melioris on the mound for Smith.
Bottom 7th: Colgan struck Engler out swinging on a change-up for the first out. Hajec lined out to Hendrington at short for the second out. Vomer singled to center. Flisnik popped out to short to end the game.
FINAL: Smith 11, Whitestown 2
I'll be here to provide live updates throughout today's game for you to follow along with the action. Feel free to leave any comments or questions that you may have for me as I'll be more than happy to interact. Now, let's play ball...
Starting lineups:
Whitestown (12-4)
1. Connor Flisnik, 2B
2. Paris Rich, LF
3. George Hajjar, RF
4. Alex Ferenti, SS
5. Tyler Beck, 1B
6. Mike Nassar, CF
7. Jim Engler, DH
8. Matt Wilk, 3B
9. Chris Vomer, C
Pitcher: Mike Fasolo, RHP
Smith (15-0)
1. Kyle Richardson, CF
2. Nate Mallinder, LF
3. Jason Nowicki, 3B
4. Zack Ciccotti, C
5. Rocco DeBlasiis, DH
6. Ryan Marquette, 1B
7. Eli Hendrington, SS
8. Mike Stevens, 2B
9. Ryan Grogg, RF
Pitcher: Joe Melioris, RHP
*Note: Smith is without a big bat in Ryan Kramer. Smith's usual shortstop will miss the game as he is on a college visit.
Top 1st: Richardson walked on six pitches to lead off the game. Mallinder gave himself up, bunting Richardson to second on a 1-3 sacrifice. Nowicki bombed a two-run homerun to left, giving Smith the early lead. Smith 2, Whitestown 0. Ciccotti struck out swinging for the second out. DeBlasiis singled up the middle. Marquette hit a single to right field to put runners on first and second with two outs. Hendrington poked an RBI single to center, bringing home DeBlasiis, but Hendrington was picked off of first as he rounded the base too far on the play. Smith 3, Whitestown 0.
Bottom 1st: Flisnik grounded out to the shortstop for the first out. Melioris got Rich looking for the second out. Hajjar walked to put a runner on first with two out. Ferenti flew out on a deep drive to center field to end the inning.
Smith 3, Whitestown 0
Top 2nd: Stevens grounded out to the shortstop for the first out. Grogg flew out to right for the second out. Richardson drew a two-out walk then stole second on the first pitch to Mallinder after two straight pickoff attempts from Fasolo. Richardson moved to third on a wild pitch curveball. Mallinder ripped a curveball to right field for an RBI single. Smith 4, Whitestown 0. Mallinder advanced to second on the play as Hajjar misplayed the ball in right for an error. Nowicki hit an infield single toward the hole on the left side of the infield that Ferenti made a great play to backhand, but his throw was missed by Beck at first (error on Beck as it should have been caught easily, but he missed it trying to make the stretch). Mallinder scored from second and Nowicki went to second on the play. Smith 5, Whitestown 0. Ciccotti flew out on a deep fly to left to end the inning.
Bottom 2nd: Beck grounded out to Ciccotti on a check-swing chopper in front of home plate for the first out. Nassar flew out to center on the first pitch he saw and Engler then grounded out 6-3 to end the inning.
Smith 5, Whitestown 0
*Whitestown starter Mike Fasolo has thrown 52 pitches (26 each inning) through two innings compared to just 23 total for Smith's Joe Melioris.
Top 3rd: DeBlasiis ripped a line-drive single over the head of the shortstop on the first pitch he saw to lead off the inning. He went to second on a wild pitch from Fasolo. Marquette bunted toward the left side and reached first safely when Flisnik dropped Fasolo's throw to first for Whitestown's third error of the game (DeBlasiis went to third). Hendrington hit his second RBI single of the game - a liner past the diving third baseman - on a 3-2 offering from Fasolo. Smith 6, Whitestown 0. Stevens popped up a bunt to the catcher for the first out. Grogg popped out to the third baseman for the second out (runners on first and second, two outs). Richardson loaded the bases with his third walk of the game. Mallinder hit a two-RBI single to left, scoring Marquette from third and Hendrington from second, and moving Richardson to third. Smith 8, Whitestown 0. With runners on the corners, Nowicki ripped an RBI single to left. Smith 9, Whitestown 0. Mallinder was stealing on the pitch and went all the way to third. Ciccotti grounded out 6-4 to end the inning.
Bottom, 3rd: Wilk struck out swinging for the first out. Vomer went down looking for the second out. Melioris put down the side in order with a 3-2 strike out of Flisnik to end the inning.
Smith 9, Whitestown 0
Top 4th: DeBlasiis grounded out to the shortstop for the first out. Marquette drew a one-out walk to reach for the third time today. Hendrington grounded into a 6-4 fielder's choice for the second out (runner on first, two outs). Stevens struck out looking at a nasty curveball from Fasolo for the third out.
Bottom 4th: Rich grounded out to short for the first out. Hajjar popped up the first pitch he saw toward the first base dugout. It was caught by Marquette in foul territory for the second out. Ferenti popped out to Marquette to end the inning.
Smith 9, Whitestown 0
*Matt Wilk has come in to pitch for Whitestown. DH Jim Engler took over for Wilk at third base.
Top 5th: Grogg grounded out 6-3 for the first out. Richardson beat out a grounder down the third baseline for an infield single. Mallinder ripped a one-hop grounder at the mound that was snagged by Wilk and turned into a 1-6-3 double play to end the inning.
Bottom 5th: Beck grounded out to Stevens at second for the first out. Nassar hit an opposite field single to left that was just out of the reach of a sliding Mallinder for Whitestown's first hit of the game. Engler ripped a line-drive single to right to put runners on first and second with one out. Wilk hit an RBI single to right to score Nassar from second for Whitestown first run of the game (runners on first and second, one out). Smith 9, Whitestown 1. Vomer got beaned, bringing up the top of order with one out and the bases loaded. Flisnik struck out looking for the second out. Rich brought home another run and picked up an RBI on a five-pitch walk. Smith 9, Whitestown 2. Hajjar popped out to the second baseman, leaving the bases loaded.
Smith 9, Whitestown 2
*Whitestown changes: Rich moved to center and Jim Klauser came in at left (he'll take Nassar's spot in the order). Chris Flynn came in for Beck at first.
Top 6th: Nowicki reached on a throwing error by the third baseman. He went all the way to second as the throw flew over the first baseman's head and into the outfield. Ciccotti grounded out 5-3 for the first out. DeBlasiis singled to right for his third hit of the game (runners on first and third, one out). Marquette hit the first pitch he saw for an RBI single up the middle (runners on first and second, one out). Smith 10, Whitestown 2. Hendrington flew out to deep center field for the second out. DeBlasiis tagged up and went to third on the play (runners on first and third, two outs). Stevens struck out swinging to end the inning, stranding runners on first and second.
*Matt Warner has come in to catch for Smith.
Bottom 6th: Melioris got Ferenti swinging on a full-count fastball for the first out. Flynn flew out to Richardson in center for the second out. Klauder grounded out weakly to Melioris to end the inning.
Smith 10, Whitestown 2
*Hajjar has moved from right field to the mound for Whitestown. M.J. Hajec took his place in right.
Top 7th: Hajjar struck out Grogg swinging for the first out. Richardson singled to center to put a runner on with one out (he's reached in all five plate appearances today - three walks, two singles). Mallinder ripped a line-drive RBI double to the gap in left-center field. Smith 11, Whitestown 2. Nowicki ripped a liner toward the hole on the right side, but Flisnik made a phenomenal play to stab the ball on a dive and throw to second from his knees to double up Mallinder and end the inning.
*Dustin Colgan has come on to relieve Melioris on the mound for Smith.
Bottom 7th: Colgan struck Engler out swinging on a change-up for the first out. Hajec lined out to Hendrington at short for the second out. Vomer singled to center. Flisnik popped out to short to end the game.
FINAL: Smith 11, Whitestown 2
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Smith at Whitestown Wednesday
Hey there legion fans. I just wanted to give you a heads-up that I'll be at the Whitestown vs. Smith game at SUNYIT Wednesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
I plan on blogging live from the game with live updates so that everyone can follow along as Whitestown tries to end Smith's quest for an undefeated season. Smith is currently 15-0 and three wins away from the becoming the first team to go undefeated in league play since 1991 when - guess who - Smith did it. Whitestown is 12-4 and locked up second place in the Blue Division with a 5-3 win over Helmuth Ingalls tonight.
While both team's have clinched their spot in the playoffs already, this definitely is not a game to overlook. There's no doubt both teams will be ready to go as Smith can taste that perfect season and Whitestown, winners of 12 of its last 13 league games, is as hot as anyone and would love nothing more than to blemish Smith's spotless campaign.
See you tomorrow!
I plan on blogging live from the game with live updates so that everyone can follow along as Whitestown tries to end Smith's quest for an undefeated season. Smith is currently 15-0 and three wins away from the becoming the first team to go undefeated in league play since 1991 when - guess who - Smith did it. Whitestown is 12-4 and locked up second place in the Blue Division with a 5-3 win over Helmuth Ingalls tonight.
While both team's have clinched their spot in the playoffs already, this definitely is not a game to overlook. There's no doubt both teams will be ready to go as Smith can taste that perfect season and Whitestown, winners of 12 of its last 13 league games, is as hot as anyone and would love nothing more than to blemish Smith's spotless campaign.
See you tomorrow!
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