JOHNSTOWN – The SUNY Adirondack Timberwolves and the FM Raiders played baseball on cold and rainy Tuesday afternoon. The weather for Game One was not bad, but the conditions for the second game were quite trying, forcing its end after six innings. FM won the first game and Adirondack won the second.
Photo: Dennis Buckley pitched a complete game and hit two singles; shortstop Gregory Ruddy had a big day in the field and at the plate
Game One
Play got underway in chilly temps and dampness. Both pitchers had some trouble controlling the ball, but both Adirondack's Brett Patterson and FM's Dennis Buckley toughed it out and went the distance. Buckley was the more effective man on the mound, scattering five hits and earning the 10-4 win.
The Wolves scored two in the first inning. The key hit was a wind-blown double to left field. Buckley walked two batters and struck out three, getting the second strikeout with a sweet off-speed breaking ball.
The Raiders executed two rundowns in the early innings. In the second inning, Adirondack's runner had a long lead off second when shortstop Greg Ruddy got between him and the base. Pitcher Buckley fired to third baseman Kristjan Maksuti and the runner was soon retired 1-5-6. In the next inning, Buckley caught the Wolves' Chris Akin leaning too far off first. Akin took off, and the Raiders erased him 1-6-1. (See photo at the bottom of this page.)
Photo: Greg Mosetti scores FM's second run
Patterson kept FM hitters in check until the fifth inning, when the home team stroked five hits and scored nine runs. A light rain was falling. Gregory Mosetti hustled his way on base when the Wolves' second baseman bobbled the ball. Soon Greg Ruddy singled to right, scoring Mosetti. Christopher Rockefeller lashed a two-RBI double into right-center. Tyler Becker and Maksuti added singles. Ruddy came to the plate a second time and doubled to right field. FM had plated nine runs on five hits in the inning.
There was no more scoring, but Rockefeller stroked an impressive standup-triple to left field. FM won the game 10-4.
Adk 200 020 0 4-5-3
FM 010 090 x 10-10-2
Game Two
The rain intensified. The ball was difficult to throw, but both teams played with a lot of enthusiasm despite the conditions.
Adirondack scored four runs in the first inning. Three FM pitchers were unable to succeed in the first three innings. Anthony Visco was handed the ball after Adirondack had amassed a 12-0 lead. Visco was able to deal with the adverse weather well enough to finish the final 3.2 innings.
Photo: First baseman James Waters attempts a tag in Game One
The Raiders never gave up. They scored in the third and fourth innings, and then mounted a comeback in the fifth. FM scored five runs in the fifth by making the most of walks and errant throws. James Watters added an infield single.
FM scored three more in the sixth, but the rain had become substantial. A seventh inning was begun, but the umpiring crew declared the field unfit. The game was ended after six complete innings. The final score was 14-11, Adirondack.
Adk 418 100 x 14-9-4
FM 002 153 x 11-3-4
These same to teams are to complete their four-game series on Thursday afternoon at East Field in Glens Falls. However, the weather forecast is not good. This website will post schedule changes as soon as they are known.
C.J. Bonny, website writer
Photo: Dennis Buckley completes the rundown in the third inning of Game One
.
