Game 1

Game 2

SCHENECTADY, NY- The Union baseball team held a 3-1 lead going into the sixth inning against visiting Skidmore but the Thoroughbreds scored seven runs to go ahead and win 9-4 in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Central Park.

 

Dane O'Neil pitched Game 1 and went 5.2 innings and gave up seven hits, five earned runs, walked three and struck out five. Vincent Esposito was 3-for-3 at the plate with a run and an RBI. He also stole two bases.  David Peretti went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored.

 

Union scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the first. Matt Barretto was hit by a pitch and then advanced to second on a balk. After advancing to third on a wild pitch, Tyler Heck's fielder's choice scored Barretto to make it 1-0 Union.

 

In the third inning after Peretti grounded out to third, Esposito singled to center and then stole second. Joe Bradlee singled and advanced to second on the throw which allowed Esposito to score and make it 2-1 Dutchmen.

 

In the fifth, Dan Minnes grounded out to first. Peretti ripped a double down the right field line. Esposito's singled scored Peretti to put Union up 3-1.

 

Skidmore did their damage in the sixth in scoring seven runs with six of those coming with two outs.

 

With Skidmore up 8-3, the Dutchmen added a fourth run in the six to close the gap but the Thoroughbreds would get the run back in the seventh.

 

Nick Laracuente pitched a complete game for Skidmore and gave up eight hits, four earned runs, and struck out six.

 

Skidmore won the second game by the same score, 9-4. Brendan McLaughlin started for the Dutchmen and went six innings giving up 10 hits, six earned runs, four walks, and struck out one. Matt Douglas pitched one inning in relief and gave up two hits, two earned runs, two walks, and struck out one. Matt Rogers relieved him and went two innings and gave up two hits, one earned run, one walk, and struck out one.

 

Heck was 2-for-3 with a triple, a run scored and a RBI. Dom Calistro was 2-for-4 with a double, a run scored, and an RBI.

 

Skidmore took the lead in this game as they scored three runs in the first inning. They would score three more in the fourth to take a 6-0 lead. Union got on the board in the bottom when after Heck's triple, Calistro's single brought him in to make it 6-1. 

 

Two more Thoroughbred runs would score in the seventh to increase their lead to 8-1. A Union run would come in bottom of the inning when Heck reached on an error that scored Peretti from third base. 

 

Skidmore would tack on another run in the top of the eighth. Union led of the bottom of the inning with a single by Nicholas Ranalli. Calistro doubled down the left field line which moved Ranalli to third. Dan Minnes grounded out to first base which scored Ranalli and moved Calistro to third. After Peretti struck out looking, Calistro scored on a wild pitch which made it 9-4.

 

Union had a chance to close the gap in the bottom of the ninth. Barretto and Heck both reached base after being hit putting runners on first and second with no outs. Dane Flavin flied out to center. Nate Foster reached on a fielder's choice which moved Barretto to third and got Heck out at second. With runners at the corners. Calistro flield out to end the game.

 

Union is now 7-11 overall and 3-7 in the Liberty League. 

 

Both teams play again tomorrow in Saratoga Springs with game time scheduled for 12 pm.