June 20, 2009

Rain, Rain Go Away

Filed under: 2009 Season, Game Preview, Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs, Promos, Saratoga Phillies, Watertown Wizards — Tags: , — Eric Rushia @ 1:54 pm
Past Two Home Games For Golden Eagles A Wash

After a steady rain all day Thursday pushed back a battle between first place Glens Falls (9-3) and second place Watertown (8-7), a mid-afternoon rain-shower soaked East Field just as the Golden Eagles prepared for batting practice against the Saratoga Phillies forced Darin Williams, team owner, to cancel the team’s second straight home game.

The Phillies have had the Golden Eagles number this season, defeating them twice at home. Saratoga lost all 10 games against Glens Falls in 2008.

Today, the Golden Eagles travel to Little Falls for a 7 p.m. game against the Mohawk Valley Diamond Dawgs, who sit four games back of first place in the East Division after picking up their first win over the Watertown Wizards this season.

All three games these two teams, Mohawk Valley and Glens Falls, have played against each other this season have ended by 7-4 score in favor of the first place Golden Eagles.

On Wednesday, Nathan Forer (Southern Illinois) continued his impressive 2009 pitching campaign, shutting out the Diamond Dawgs for six innings, and Jamie Storey (Houston Baptist) notched his first save of the season with two strikeouts in the ninth.

Both of this week’s rainouts have already been rescheduled.

On Father’s Day, June 21, the Golden Eagles host the Phillies for a double-dip, with the first game starting at 1 p.m. and the second roughly 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first. Gates open at 11:30 a.m. and the team will be accepting donations for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) of Upstate New York, in addition to giving away a pair of New York Yankees tickets.

The Pet Food Drive, sponsored by the Golden Eagles organization, takes place during both games and all proceeds go to The SPCA of Upstate NY’s Pet Food Pantry. Glens Falls fans who bring a Can of Pet Food to the game will receive $1 off one admission. Any Eagle fan who brings in a five-pound bag of Pet Food will receive one free admission.

Spend all day with your father and buy him a hot dog and a soda. Cheer on the Golden Eagles as they look to beat to the Phillies and avenge their two previous home defeats.

Sunday is also the First Annual “DOGS ON THE DIAMOND” NIGHT.” Free Admission will be given to any dad who is accompanied by his dog. All dogs must be well behaved, on leash and under control by an adult at all times.  Any dog not on a leash will not be admitted.

The SPCA of Upstate NY, located at 588 Queensbury Ave. Queensbury NY and is the largest NO-Kill shelte north of New York City, will have pets on hand and available for adoption.

Monday, which is usually an off day for the Golden Eagles, will be the make-up day for Thursday’s rainout against the Wizards. Glens Falls and Watertown split their season series this year, with both teams winning at home. The first 250 fans into East Field will receive a free pair of Golden Eagles Thunderstix. Be sure to arrive early as the gates open at 5:30 p.m.

Next week, Glens Falls heads on the road for four of their next seven games. June 25, the Golden Eagles next home game against Watertown, is free ice night. All fans in attendance will receive a free ice cream, courtesy of Stewarts, Glens Falls also plays the Albany Dutchmen, a team they’ve defeated twice this season, on Sunday, June 28.

June 18, 2009

Golden Eagles Score Six Runs In Two Innings, Win 7-4 Again

Filed under: 2009 Season, Game Recap, Watertown Wizards — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Eric Rushia @ 9:35 am
Glens Falls Now 6-1 On The Road

For the third time this season, the first place Glens Falls Golden Eagles defeated the last place Mohawk Valley Diamond Dawgs 7-4. The win extends Glens Falls’ first place lead to two games over the Watertown Wizards and a four and one-half games lead over the Diamond Dawgs.

Perfect in three appearances this season, junior right-hander Nathan Forer (Southern Illinois) dazzled Diamond Dawg hitters for six stellar innings, allowing zero earned runs on four hits and striking out five to down his season ERA to 0.84 on the season.

Junior southpaw Jamie Storey ((Houston Bapist) picked up his first save of the season, closing out the ninth inning with two strikeouts and zero hits. Jerry A’Hearn (Central Arizona) originally relieved starter Forer, pitching two innings and striking out three Dawgs.

Jamie Storey talks to Conner Gandossy during Tuesday's game. Story picked up his first save against the Diamond Dawgs on Wednesday.

The Golden Eagles managed singles from junior right-fielder Nick Schrock (Texas Wesleyan), Rodarrick Jones (New Orleans), and Eric Phillips (Georgia Southern) in the games’ first three innings, but were unable to spark any rallies or score any runs until the fourth inning.

Playing in this first game for Glens Falls this season, Schrock belted two hits and score one run in his four at-bats.

The Glens Falls bats exploded for six runs of their seven runs in the third and fourth innings combined, adding its final run in the eighth and defeating the Diamond Dawgs 7-4.

A walk from Jones, followed by a single to left from cleanup hitter Sean Lamont (Georgetown) started to two-run two-hit fourth. After a sacrifice bunt from Justin Zumwalde (Pima C.C.) moved both Jones and Lamont into scoring position, Phillips worked a walk, his fourth this season, to load up the bases for Chris Lashmet (Northwestern).

Lashmet then rocketed a two-run single, scoring both Jones and Lamont, for his third RBI in the past two games.

Lashmet

Jones continues his hitting streaking, smacking three hits in four at-bats against the Diamond Dawgs on Wednesday, scoring his ninth run of the season, walking for the a team-high seventh time, and knocking in his team-leading 12 RBI this summer.

Leading off the four-run, five-hit fifth inning for the Golden Eagles, Schrock singles up the middle and then steals second, which allows Anthony Giansanti (Siena) to plate Schrock for his 10th RBI this summer. Giansanti later scores on a Lamont double, followed by Zumwalde single, which puts runners on the corners. Phillips picks up an RBI on a bunt single, scoring Lamont from third with Zumwalde scoring when a fielding error allowed Lashmet to reach base safely.

After the fifth, Glens Falls led 6-0. Lamont finished with two runs scored, two hits, and one RBI. Glens Falls top five hitters scored the team’s seven runs and the top seven tallied all 12 hits, with Phillips finishing the game 2-for-3.

Pinch-hitting in the eighth, Steve Zavala (Rutgers) worked his fourth walk of the season and then stole his third stolen base this summer. scoring on a Jones’ single for the games final run.

Mohawk Valley scored one run in the sixth, trimming the Glens Falls lead to 6-1, and added three more runs in the eighth. Glens Falls finished with seven runs on 12 hits, compared to the Diamond Dawgs four runs on eight hits and three errors.

If the rains hold off tonight, Glens Falls is scheduled to play the second place Watertown Wizards for a 7 p.m. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and the first 250 fans receive a free pair of Thunderstix, courtesy of the Glens Falls Golden Eagles. In the teams’ last meeting, June 13 in Watertown, Glens Falls lost 9-8 in extra innings.

June 12, 2009

Glens Falls Needs Another Solid Pitching Performance Tonight

Filed under: 2009 Season, Game Preview, Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs — Tags: , — Eric Rushia @ 1:04 pm
Golden Eagles Strive For Second Straight Over Mohawk Valley Diamond Dawgs

eag_vs_mvdd

Winning in front of the home crowds at East Field this season seems to have been a chore thus far for the 2009 Glens Falls Golden Eagles.

With just one win in three games at home this season, the Glens Falls Golden Eagles still sit in first place with a 5-2 win-loss record. Despite the 12-run and 19-hit outburst fans witnessed against the Wizards back on June 6, Glens Falls has managed six hits and three runs in the other two games. Though their pitching has been superb, allowing 19 hits in three home games.

“Once the kids start to relax a little bit more, and just getting a chance to play everyday is a big factor,” Golden Eagles Head Coach John Mayotte said. “We had a chance to do some extra hitting and drill work.  I think the preparation has been a little better and the kids are starting to get in a routine.”

Last night they avenged one of their two previous home losses, blanking the Saratoga Phillies on the road 6-0, behind an outstanding pitching performance from senior starting pitcher Nathan Forer (Southern Illinois). Forer tossed 90 pitches last night, exiting the game in the ninth after working his way of a one-out, bases-loaded jam in the eighth.

“We’re going to try to stick with what we’ve done so far this season,” Mayotte said. “We might adjust or adapt as these kids get stronger and they can throw more pitches.”

Tonight Glens Falls returns home to host the Mohawk Valley Diamond Dawgs, a team they beat 7-4 on Wednesday up in Little Falls. The Diamond Dawgs finally picked up their first win of the 2009 summer, scoring four runs to the Watertown Wizards’ two and handing the Wizards their second loss in three games.

Junior righty pitcher Jerry A’Hearn (Central Arizona) starts tonight for the Golden Eagles. Pitching has been a strong point for the Golden Eagles over the years, especially with third-year pitching coach, Brett Merritt (New Mexico Military Institute) and first-year assistant pitch coach Jon McLain (Troy State) working with both the starters and relievers in the bullpen.

“As far a regular rotation, we’ve got a lot of great pitchers,” Mayotte said. “We’ll try to get them the ball and the number of innings they need to progress over the summer.”

Following Friday’s game against the Diamond Dawgs, the Golden Eagles go on the road for two weekend games against Watertown and Albany respectively. Glens Falls is off Monday, and the Golden Eagles return home for three games next week. Tuesday, they play Albany at 10:30 a.m., and Watertown and Saratoga travel to East Field Thursday, June 18 and Friday, June 19.

by Eric Rushia

June 11, 2009

Glens Falls Shuts Out Saratoga, 6-0

Filed under: 2009 Season, Game Recap, Saratoga Phillies — Tags: , , , — Eric Rushia @ 10:40 pm
Golden Eagles Still Perfect On The Road This Season

Just one week after dropping their home opener to the Saratoga Phillies, the Glens Falls Golden Eagles traveled south to East Side Rec seeking redemption. Not only had the Phillies defeated the Golden Eagles twice already this season, but they did so with pitching, limiting Glens Falls to five hits and three runs in two games.

This time, the Golden Eagles scored twice as many runs and nearly twice as many hits in just one game against the Phillies on Thursday. Glens Falls also held the Phillies to a mere three hits.

Behind a stellar pitching performance from junior right-hander Nathan Forer (Southern Illinois), who shutout Saratoga for eight innings, Glens Falls scored six runs on 11 hits and defeated the Phillies 6-0.

Starting his first game this 2009 summer season, Forer pitched a gem, retiring the first seven Phillies’ hitters, facing the minimum through seven and two-thirds innings, allowing only one hit until the eighth inning, striking out four and walking just one.

Forer experienced trouble in the eighth inning, but managed to pitch his way out of the jam before passing the ball off to the Golden Eagles bullpen.

After walking the bases loaded with just one-out, Forer forced the Phillies second basemen to ground out into an inning-ending double play. Freshmen southpaw Daniel Watts (Jacksonville State) relieved Forer in the ninth, allowing zero baserunners and striking out two.

The win, Forer’s second straight this season, marks the first shutout for the Glens Falls’ pitching staff this season. Last season, the Golden Eagles staff compiled seven complete-game shutouts, including three against the Phillies. Glens Falls shut out Saratoga twice at East Side Rec in 2008, including a 3-0 win in  the regular season finale.

Hours after hearing his name called by the Oakland Athletics in the 49th round of the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft, junior center fielder Anthony Giansanti (Siena) played one of his best games of the 2009 summer season.

Finishing the game 3-for-4, including a double in the second and a pair of singles in the fifth and seventh innings respectively, Giansanti scored two of the six Glens Falls’ runs.

After working a one-out walk in the first, Giansanti, batting in the two-hole, came around to score on an RBI double to center from freshman left fielder Rodarrick Jones (University of New Orleans). Jones later scored on a single from freshmen right fielder Justin Zumwalde (Pima C.C.) putting the Golden Eagles in an early 2-0 lead after the first.

BASEBALL 61109

The newest member of the Oakland A's, Anthony Giansanti smashes a double.

Jones led all hitters with three runs scored and finished with his second straight two RBI game, adding a single and scoring on a sac fly from Zumwalde in the eighth. Zumwalde tallied two RBI of his own and a pair of singles.

With one out in the top half of the third and Giansanti standing on second after a stand-up double, a balk from the Phillies’ pitcher moved Giansanti up 90-feet. Giansanti would later score on a sac fly from Jones pushing the Glens Falls lead to 3-0.

A two-out fielding error in the ninth allowed both Jones and his college teammate, freshmen designated hitter Kevin Berry (University of New Orleans), to score some insurance runs for the Golden Eagles, giving them an insurmountable  6-0 lead heading into the final half inning.

The Glen Falls Golden Eagles, who ended the 2008 season with a 14-7 road record, improve to a perfect 4-0 this season away from East Field. Glens Falls returns home tomorrow night looking to continue their winning ways when they play host to the Mohawk Valley Diamond Dawgs, a team they defeated 7-4 on Wednesday night.

by Eric Rushia

June 6, 2009

Golden Eagles Hand Wizards First Loss Of 2009 Season

Filed under: 2009 Season, Game Recap, Watertown Wizards — Tags: , , , , , , , — Eric Rushia @ 11:26 am
Glens Falls Bats’ Ignite For 12 Runs on 19 Hits

After mustering just one hit in their home opener on Thursday against the Saratoga Phillies, the Glens Falls Golden Eagles offensive batted around in both the first and third innings, scoring four runs and six runs respectively.

By games end, the Golden Eagles amassed their biggest offensive onslaught of the young season. The Golden Eagles tallied 12 runs on 19 hits in nine innings to hand the Watertown Wizards their first lost of the 2009 summer season, 12-7.

Despite the Wizards scoring five runs on two hits, including the first homerun at East Field this season, Glens Falls quickly answered with six runs of their own to reclaim the lead in the third.

A lead they would never relinquish.

“We got some timely hitting, but I was a little disappointed in our defensive play,” Coach Mayotte said. “We got a big lead and then came complacent. You can’t do that in this game, this game will embarrass you at the drop of a hat.”

Junior center fielder Anthony Giansanti (Siena) started the first-inning rally off when he worked a walk, followed by a single from freshmen outfielder Rodarrick Jones (New Orleans) that sent Giansanti to second. A fielding error eventually put both Jones and Giansanti in scoring position for freshman outfielder and cleanup hitter Justin Zumwalde (Pima C.C.), who smacked a two-run single to give Glens Falls an early 2-0 lead.

The hits parade continued when sophomore infielder Sean Lamont (Georgetown) doubled. Both Zumwalde and Lamont later scored on an RBI single from freshmen infielder Eric Phillips (Georgia Southern).

“I’ve been a little more disciplined in the last few days and Coach Merrit really helped me out in the cage,” Zumwalde said. “I haven’t played in over a month so my last hit (against Albany) really got me out of my slump if you will.”
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