SURVIVE-THRIVE-ADVANCE-ORISKANY 21 NY MILLS 11
ORISKANY’S CHIS SMOULCEY BABE’S PLAYER OF THE GAME
MHTS SUMMER FUN TOUR VISITS EAST UTICA-MOUNT CARMEL MINORS ALL STAR TOURNEY
Fred Miller MHTS
“ Can Antonio pitch?” That late inning question heard resounding from the New York Mills team dugout by a member of the coaching staff really summed up what this marathon, survival of the fittest losers bracket, game played at Proctor Park in Utica.
When the dust settled and team Oriskany danced off the diamond with a convincing 21-11 win over New York Mills and into a Saturday matchup, the boys in maroon had survived and advanced to play again this weekend in the invitational tournament.
The loss ends New York Mills stay in the double elimination, two week event, hosted by East Utica-Mount Carmel Little League.
According to East Utica-Mount Carmel Little League President John Martello, 10 teams from around District X are taking part in the annual tourney.
Along with New York Mills and Oriskany teams taking part in tourney play include, East Utica, South Utica, West Utica, Sauquoit, Skenandoa, Marcy-Deerfield, New Hartford and Whitestown.
# 12 Nick Fellone got the start for New York Mills.
With a lot on the line, the two teams went all out to keep hopes alive.
Thanks to a great first two innings on the mound by Oriskany starting pitcher Chris Smoulcey, our Babe’s Player of the Game, Oriskany grabbed the momentum teams need in a survive and advance game.
The other Smoulcey, Ryan, they are twin brothers by the way, had a big night at the plate, with 2 singles, 2 RBI and 2 runs scored to help lead Oriskany to the winners circle.
I hope Chris takes Ryan to lunch at Babe’s for all of the help he gave his brother.
Patrick Maher, who also has a brother on the team, John, had 2 hits, 2 runs scored and a run batted in to help propel the high-powered Oriskany offense.
Gio Sylvestri had a big night at the dish with an inside the park home run and 4 runs batted in.
Gianni Falatico drove in 2 runs for Oriskany as well and also pitched well in relief for the winners.
New York Mills did not go into the night without making noise of their own.
Before we get to the offensive stars for the Mills, let’s talk about their starting pitcher, Nick Fellone, who struck out 5, allowed just 2 hits and walked 3 in his two and two thirds innings of work.
# 2 John Maher gets ready to defend at first base.
New York Mills banged out 9 hits and plated 11 runs as they rallied from behind, all game long.
Catcher Derek Bauer, “Big D”, as he is called by New York Mills fans, rapped out two hits, a double, single, drove in a run and scored 2.
Cameron Scharbach chipped in with 2 singles, 2 runs batted in and a run scored. Cameron also came in, in late relief to help the team’s cause.
I have to say, I had a great time watching these two teams go at it.
I really enjoyed the coaching staffs from both teams who prodded and cajoled their troops through a game filled with more passed balls and wild pitches than you could count.
A few throwing errors and ill-timed base running blunders were also mixed in.
What impressed me most was the way these two teams carried themselves on and off the field and the way their coaches and fans supported these youngsters through an elimination game.
The skill sets will continue to improve for these, 7-11 year old, players but, rest assured, they will move on knowing how to play the game the right way.
New York Mills was coached by Scott Baur, Mark Griffith, Paul Diskin and Mike Lee.
Oriskany’s staff included, Josh Shannon, TJ Moorehouse and Fred Burrows. Way to go guys!
# 33 Derek Baur gets ready to send one down for New York Mills.
Both teams saw goose eggs put up on the board in the first inning, as the two starters dominated early.
Nick Fellone was on top of his game as he struck out the side in the visitor’s first.
Chris Smoulcey started out well in the home first when he retired 3 straight, after allowing Victor Lee to reach first on an infield grounder.
Smoulcey then settled down to retire three straight New York Mills batters.
Oriskany broke the ice and scored two second inning runs, to open the Oriskany offensive flood-gates.
Patrick Maher beat out an infield single and scored the games first run when Chris Smoulcey ripped an RBI single to right and later scored the second Oriskany run, as the visitors went up 2-0, as we headed to the bottom of the second.
Nothing doing for NY Mills in the home half of the second, as Smoulcey walked two and they struck out three New York Mills batters to help his team to start to grab control.
Early Fourth of July fireworks went off in the top of the third when Oriskany sent 11 men to the plate and ended up scoring 7 game changing runs.
Pat Maher laced an RBI single. Ryan Smoucley drove in another run with an RBI single of his own.
Andrew Pysnik walked with the bases loaded to drive in a run and Gio Sylvestri added an RBI hit of his own as Oriskany built up a 9-0 lead.
# 5 Gianni Falatico comes on in late innings. Gianni is styling with the shades!
New York Mills had seen enough. A 6 run third inning had them right back in the game. Ten New York Mills batters took a whack and the runs just kept on coming.
Cameron Scharbach laced a 2 RBI single to left, Shane Alford launched an RBI single to right, then Mark Griffith and Victor Lee both drove in runs, with RBI singles of their own, as New York Mills cut the lead to 9-6.
Problem is, Oriskany was on the warpath again as they plated 6 more runs to try to put this one away.
This time 10 Oriskany batters did the damage. Darren Stafford singled and later scored.
The big hit of the inning was a 2 RBI single off the bat of Gianni Falatico.
With 7 more big runs Oriskany was now up 15-6. New York Mills plated 5 more runs in the home fourth to stay in striking distance.
The key hits for the Mills came from Derek Bauer who doubled, drove in a run and scored.
Nick Fellone picked up an RBI with a single to center field. When the dust settled, the visitors from Oriskany led 15-11.
New York Mills would get no closer, as Oriskany added 2 more runs in the fifth and 3 more in the 6th to seal the deal.
# 4 Antonio Talerico watches one whiz by in early at bat.
Ryan Smoulcey came up big again with another RBI single in the top of the fifth as Oriskany pushed the lead to 17-11.
Four more sixth inning runs ended the scoring as Oriskany cruised to the win and lives to play another day. Guess who had an RBI single? That’s right, Ryan Smoucley.
Good luck to Oriskany as the tourney moves on and way to go New York Mills! Had a great night at Proctor Park. Thanks.
Oriskany 21 New York Mills 11
1 2 3 4 5 6 R H
Oriskany 0 2 7 6 2 3 21 10
New York Mills 0 0 6 5 0 0 11 9
Offensive Stars:
Oriskany:
Gio Sylvestri- 1 homerun- 1 single-4 RBI-1 run scored
Ryan Smoulcey-2 singles-2 RBI-2 runs scored
Chris Smoulcey-1 single-2 RBI-2 runs scored
Patrick Maher- 2 singles-2 runs scored-1 RBI
Oriskany all in!
New York Mills:
Derek Baur-1 double-1 single-1 RBI-2 runs scored
Cameron Scharbach-2 singles-2 RBI-1 run scored
Shane Alford-1 single-1 RBI-1 run scored
Braedon Dole-1 single- 1 RBI-2 runs scored
Nick Fellone-1 single-1 RBI-1 run scored
