Saugerties Stallions Hold Off Mohawk Valley Diamond Dawgs, 5-4, Behind Early Surge

The Saugerties Stallions rode a five-run outburst over the first two innings and held off a late push by the Mohawk Valley Diamond Dawgs to secure a 5-4 victory on Thursday night at Cantine Field.

Saugerties (home) wasted no time jumping on the Diamond Dawgs, scoring three runs in the first inning and adding two more in the second to build a lead they would never relinquish. Mohawk Valley (away) chipped away at the deficit, narrowing the gap to a single run in the eighth, but the Stallions' bullpen held firm to close out the win.

Early Offensive Outburst Sets the Tone

The Stallions set the tone immediately in the bottom of the first. Cooper Schmidt led off with a single and later came around to score when Danny Surowiec grounded out to first for a sacrifice RBI. Steven Ramirez followed with a single and scored on Christian Bernardini’s RBI single to right center. Bernardini then crossed the plate on Magnus Krieger’s RBI single to left, giving Saugerties a 3-0 lead after one.

In the second, the Stallions kept the pressure on. Michael Lebenson reached base and advanced to third after a single by Schmidt, who then drove Lebenson home with an RBI infield single. Jack Beyl, who had reached earlier in the inning, scored on Surowiec’s sacrifice fly to left field, extending the lead to 5-0.

Diamond Dawgs Battle Back

Mohawk Valley broke through in the third inning. Jaden Santiago singled and later scored on Jake Haarde’s sacrifice fly to left, putting the Diamond Dawgs on the board at 5-1.

The visitors continued to chip away in the sixth. Jake Haarde singled and advanced to third, scoring on Brodie Freker’s groundout to shortstop. Roberto Valdes Jr. then came home on a two-out RBI single by Wesley Alfonso, cutting the Saugerties lead to 5-3.

In the top of the eighth, the Diamond Dawgs threatened again. Jake Haarde reached base and scored on a double to left by Roberto Valdes Jr., bringing Mohawk Valley within a run at 5-4. However, Saugerties reliever Merric Hunt entered in the ninth and shut the door, allowing just one hit and striking out one to earn the save.

Key Performances

Saugerties spread its nine hits among six players, with Cooper Schmidt and Steven Ramirez each collecting two. Schmidt finished 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI, while Ramirez went 2-for-4 with a run. Christian Bernardini contributed two hits, scored once, and drove in a run, while Magnus Krieger’s RBI single capped the first-inning rally.

Danny Surowiec made the most of his plate appearances, driving in two runs on a sacrifice groundout and a sacrifice fly, despite not recording a hit.

For Mohawk Valley, Jaden Santiago led the way with a 3-for-4 night and a run scored. Roberto Valdes Jr. went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI, and a run. Jake Haarde reached base twice, scored twice, and drove in a run, while Wesley Alfonso and Brodie Freker each added RBI singles.

Pitching Summary

Saugerties starter Landon Seipp pitched six strong innings, scattering seven hits and allowing three runs while striking out five and walking just one. Seipp kept the Diamond Dawgs off the board until the third and worked out of several jams to maintain the lead.

Riley Hofrichter took over in the seventh and eighth, allowing one run on one hit and three walks while striking out four. Merric Hunt closed out the ninth, giving up a single but retiring the side with a strikeout to preserve the one-run victory.

On the Mohawk Valley side, Brodie Freker started but lasted just one inning, surrendering three runs on four hits. Collin Schneider provided stability in relief, tossing four innings and allowing two runs on five hits. Colin Skermont and Matt Alegria combined for three scoreless innings to keep the Diamond Dawgs within striking distance, but the early deficit proved too much to overcome.

Game Wrap-Up

After building a 5-0 lead through two innings, Saugerties was held scoreless over the final seven frames but managed to make the early offense stand up. Mohawk Valley out-hit the Stallions 9-8 and mounted a persistent comeback, but Saugerties’ pitching and defense delivered in the late innings.

With the win, Saugerties continues its strong play at Cantine Field, while Mohawk Valley will look to bounce back after coming up just short in their late rally.

Box Score Notes

Final Score: Saugerties Stallions 5, Mohawk Valley Diamond Dawgs 4
Saugerties Runs/Hits/Errors: 5 R, 9 H, 0 E
Mohawk Valley Runs/Hits/Errors: 4 R, 9 H, 1 E

Key Saugerties Hitters:

Cooper Schmidt: 2-for-4, 1 R, 1 RBI
Steven Ramirez: 2-for-4, 1 R
Christian Bernardini: 2-for-3, 1 R, 1 RBI
Magnus Krieger: 1-for-2, 1 RBI
Danny Surowiec: 2 RBI (sac groundout, sac fly)

Key Mohawk Valley Hitters:

Jaden Santiago: 3-for-4, 1 R
Roberto Valdes Jr.: 2-for-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 2B
Jake Haarde: 1-for-2, 2 R, 1 RBI

Pitching Highlights:

Landon Seipp (Saugerties): 6.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 5 SO, 1 BB (Win)
Merric Hunt (Saugerties): 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 SO (Save)
Brodie Freker (Mohawk Valley): 1.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 SO (Loss)
Matt Alegria (Mohawk Valley): 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R

Notable Scoring Plays:

Saugerties scored three in the 1st and two in the 2nd, all on singles and productive outs.
Mohawk Valley scored single runs in the 3rd, 6th, and 8th, but could not complete the comeback.