JOHNSTOWN – Every baseball game is a thing unto itself. On Saturday afternoon, Hudson Valley's Ryan Smith shut down the FM bats and the Vikings cruised to a huge win in Game One. But despite the Vikings' strong showing in the first game, the Raiders rebounded and outplayed the visitors in the second game, winning 11-8.
Photo: Pitcher William Hewitt earned a complete-game win in Game Two
Game One
Hudson Valley dominated the game from start to finish. They scored eight runs in the top half of the first inning, and Viking pitcher Smith had a remarkable day, striking out 13 while walking only two in the game that was shortened to five innings by the run rule.
The final score was 21-1, but the Raiders were ready to start anew in Game Two.
Game Two
FM won with solid play by the entire team, and seven Raiders hit safely in the game, but Will Hewitt's pitching and Zachary Hughes' hitting led the way. Hewitt used a variety of pitches, including a biting curve ball, in his gritty outing. Hughes had one of FM's two hits in the first game, and he pounded out three more hits in the second contest. Hughes was four-for-five at the plate on Saturday.
Photo: Zach Hughes rounds second after one of his four hits
The afternoon was windy, and the wind was strongest during the first hour of Game Two, challenging pitchers and fielders alike.
Hudson Valley's first batter sent a double down the left field foul line. The visitors scored three times in the inning, but FM scored a run in their half of the frame.
Hewitt and company kept HVCC off the board in the second inning. Baylee Hall led off the home half by getting on base via an error. Raymond Osterhout drew a walk. Christopher Rockefeller then lashed a double into the right field corner, scoring Hall and Osterhout. The game was tied 3-3.
The first Viking batter in the third inning dropped a wind-blown hit into short center field. Soon three more Hudson Valley runs had crossed the plate and a Viking stood at second base. FM shortstop DaShon Boyles snared the next batted ball in the air and flipped it to second baseman Hall for a double play. The Vikings led 6-3.
FM came right back in the bottom of the inning. The first three Raiders – Andrew Houser, Hughes, and Jonathan Wingate – all hit safely and all three scored. The game was tied at 6-6.
The visitors scored a run in the fourth, but the Raiders matched it when Hughes doubled home Houser. 7-7.
Hewitt kept the Vikings off the board in the fifth, and then the Raiders took over the game. Osterhout got on base thanks to an error. Rockefeller advanced Osterhout to third. Shortstop Boyles stepped up and sent a hit through the 5/6 hole, driving in FM's go-ahead run. Houser walked. Hughes then came to the plate and drove a triple to the fence, scoring Boyles and Houser. An overthrow allowed Hughes to come home, and FM led 11-7.
Photo: DaShon Boyles driving in the go-ahead run
The Vikings got one more run in the sixth. First, after a Viking single, FM's Boyles made a great sliding stop on a shot up the middle and, while on the ground, threw to Houser for the out at first base. Then Hewitt played a grounder to first, trading a run for an out. The inning ended with FM leading 11-8.
Hudson Valley's first batter in the final inning got on base with an odd-bounce E6. FM right fielder Osterhout saved the day by making a nice catch of a wind-blown fly and firing to first base to catch the runner off base for a "9, 9-3" double play.
FM allowed no runs or hits in the seventh. Hewitt had gone the distance on the mound. The Raiders had outplayed the Vikings.
The two teams will complete their four-game series today in Troy. The doubleheader is to start at noon.
C.J. Bonny, website writer
Game One
HVCC 801 66 21-17-2
FMCC 010 00 1-2-1
Batteries: Smith and Julian; Casimiro, Agresta (1), Chrisman (4), Rockefeller (5) and Housman
2B- Houser, Bink, Julian, Piel. 3B- Bender, McDonough. HR- Conte, McAlonie
W-Smith, L-Casimiro
Game Two
HVCC 303 101 0 8-10-7
FMCC 123 140 x 11-10-5
Batteries: Sowards, Hughes (3), Hall (6) and Spataro; Hewitt and Hecht
2B- Wingate, Rockefeller, Hughes (FM), Bink. 3B- Hughes (FM)
W-Hewitt, L-Hughes
Records: HVCC 7-3 (4-2 conference), FMCC 7-13 (2-4)
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