JOHNSTOWN – FM and Jefferson CC played a baseball doubleheader on the Raiders' field on cold and windy Friday afternoon. The Raiders won the opener 2-0 and the Cannoneers won the nightcap 4-3. FM won the two-day, four-game series three games to one.
The two teams were to have played on Tuesday, but the weather forced postponement of that doubleheader, which was moved to Friday. Now the Raiders are in the midst of a demanding schedule of six games in three days.
Game One
Game One was a well-played pitchers' duel. FM freshman Sam Flood and Jefferson's 6'5" sophomore Justin Pond both threw complete games. Pond's work was a challenge for the Raiders, but FM found ways to win the game.
Photo: Controlling the play – Third baseman Kristjan Maksuti has played a bunt to first baseman James Waters and now the Raiders react to hold the other Jefferson runner at second – also pictured, from left: Sam Flood and Tyler Becker
The Raiders made a great defensive play in the first inning. Jefferson's second batter walked and then advanced to third on a single. The next batter singled to right field, just beyond the reach of diving right fielder Gregory Mosetti. Mosetti, who would be one of the stars of the game, recovered and fired to first baseman Waters who relayed a perfect throw to catcher Andrew Houser to get the out at home. Flood then induced a 4-3 grounder to end the inning and keep Jefferson off the scoreboard.
Photos: Great 9-3-2 out at home
Cannoneer pitcher Pond sat down the first nine FM batters. Christopher Rockefeller got FM's first hit in the fourth – an infield single. After four innings the game was still scoreless.
Pond and Flood continued their duel. FM's Dennis Buckley got on base via a misplayed grounder. Becker walked. Mosetti then lashed the key hit of the game. Mosetti saw a fastball and lined it deep into left-center field. Both Buckley and Becker scored on Mosetti's two-RBI hit.
With one out in the sixth, Jefferson loaded the bases on two walks and an error. William Hewitt was warning up in the FM bullpen, but Flood was up to the challenge. Flood struck out the next two Cannoneers, ending the Jefferson threat.
Photo: Sam Flood pitching, Greg Mosetti in right field
Houser singled with two out in the sixth. Waters got on base via a Jefferson error, and FM had runners on the corners. The Raiders tried a delayed double steal. It almost worked, but Houser was thrown out at the plate. It was the second great out-at-home play of the game, one by each team. This one went 2-4-3-2.
Flood was still tough in the seventh inning. He got Jefferson batters to ground out and pop up. He gave up a single, but then watched as the final batter flied to left and Jason Roth caught the ball to end the game. FM won the game 2-0.
Photo: Jason Roth makes the final putout
After the game this writer spoke with catcher Houser about Flood's stellar performance. When asked if Flood was tiring in the late innings, Houser said confidently, "No. He just kept throwing strikes and pitching to the edges (of the strike zone)."
JCC 000 000 0 0-6-3
FM 000 020 x 2-3-1
Pond and Hardie; Flood and Houser
C.J. Bonny, website writer
Game Two
Jefferson led 2-1, then FM went in front 3-2 in the fourth inning with Anthony Visco singling in James Waters and Brian De los Santos scoring on a passed ball. Jefferson tacked on two more runs in the fifth to go ahead 4-3, which was the final score.
JCC 200 020 0 4-4-1
FMCC 100 200 0 3-3-3
Records: Jefferson 7-12, FM 11-12
Villalona, Snelgrove (4), and Martin; Rockefeller, Ford (6), Gravel (7), and Hecht
FM's busy baseball schedule continues on Saturday with a trip to Utica's Murnane Field for a doubleheader with Mohawk Valley CC. The first pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.
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