Wayne County Life

Submitted by:  Brian Connell, Newark Pilots

The Newark Pilots (20-25) split a Monday night doubleheader against the Glens Falls Golden Eagles (24-21) at Colburn Park. Glens Falls took the first game 2-1 while Newark won the nightcap 1-2. This win clinches a Western Division playoff spot for the Pilots and a match-up against the Elmira Pioneers this upcoming Thursday August 1st.

Game 1

Trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the seventh, Newark's’ Sam Wiggins (Houston Baptist) led off with a triple to left centerfield. Despite having no outs and a man on third the Pilots were unable to capitalize falling short in game one. 

Justin D’Amato (2-3. St. John Fisher) is slated with the tough loss pitching a complete seven innings. D’Amato allowed only three hits and one earned run with seven strikeouts in the game.

Jeff Edwards (Valparaiso) scored the single run for Newark when Steve Laurino (Marist) singled to left field. Edwards had reached base on a catching error by the Golden Eagles center fielder Emmanuel Forcier (New Mexico J.C.). 

Glens Falls responded in the second as Buddy Putnam (South Florida) scored on a wild pitch tying the game at one. Putnam would produce the winning run in the sixth inning on a double to right field scoring Garrett DeGallier (Tocoma C.C.).  

Golden Eagles pitcher Ryan Davis (3-2, LeMoyne) gets the win pitching a complete game of his own allowing four hits and one run over seven innings.  

Laurino was the hit leader for Newark going 2-for-3 with the teams solo RBI. Putnam led  Glens Falls going 2-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored.

Game 2

Another strong pitching performance in game two fell in Newark’s favor as Will Spitzfaden (2-5, Southeast Missouri State) continued his strong season and pitched the Pilots to a 1-2 victory and a playoff berth. 

Spitzfaden pitched six innings allowing one run on three hits. With a one-run lead going into the seventh inning he relinquished the mound to Pilots closer Donald Frew (Young Harris). Frew recorded his tenth save of the season.

Newark’s first run came during the teams first at-bats. Jeff Edwards (Valparaiso) led off with an infield single before stealing second. Sam Fox (Pomona-Pitzer) singled to center and advanced to second on a fielding error which allowed Edwards to score.

Edwards would have a hand in the second Pilots run in the bottom of the second. With two outs Colman Lukas (Pomona-Pitzer) singled down the left field line. A Scott Matthews (Washington Md.) base-hit placed Lukas in scoring position. Edwards double to right field would score the eventual winning run.

Glens Falls would tighten the score in the top of the fifth. A sacrifice fly by Javoni Thomas (Walters State C.C.) brought in Jesse Jenner (Grossmont), the only Golden Eagle run of the night.

Matt Portland (2-2, Northwestern) gets the loss allowing eight hits over six innings and registered a game-high five strikeouts.     

Edwards, Max Rosing (Cortland State) and Matthews each had two hits a piece for the Pilots.

Newark will play their last two regular season games on the road. Tuesday the Pilots travel to Utica in a Western Division match-up at Murnane Field before finishing the season in Mohawk Valley. Glens Falls will host Cooperstown Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m.