Bethlehem’s Matt Mullen hits during a baseball game against Shaker on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 in Latham, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Times Union
Bethlehem’s Oliver Hosang slides into third base during a baseball game against Shaker on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 in Latham, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Times Union
Shaker’s Caden Ditzel takes a swing during a baseball game against Bethlehem on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 in Latham, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Times Union
Bethlehem second baseman Gehrig Monserrat fields a ground ball during a baseball game against Shaker on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 in Latham, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Times Union
Shaker’s Daniel Cioffi takes a swing during a baseball game against Bethlehem on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 in Latham, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Times Union
Bethlehem’s Matt Mullen gives Oliver Hosang five after he scored during a baseball game against Shaker on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 in Latham, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Times Union
Bethlehem’s Sheamus Healey takes a swing during a baseball game against Shaker on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 in Latham, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Times Union
Bethlehem relief pitcher Jacob Bradt throws during a baseball game against Shaker on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 in Latham, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Times Union
Bethlehem pitcher Sam Spector throws during a baseball game against Shaker on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 in Latham, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Times Union
Bethlehem pitcher Sam Spector throws during a baseball game against Shaker on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 in Latham, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Times Union
Bethlehem relief pitcher Jacob Bradt throws during a baseball game against Shaker on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 in Latham, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)
Lori Van Buren/Times Union
LATHAM — The Bethlehem baseball team unleashed its version of the sophomore jinx upon Shaker on Wednesday, and it netted the Eagles an extra-innings victory in the Suburban Council opener between the two squads.
Bethlehem sophomore Scott Hutton clubbed a solo home run with one out in the top of the 10th inning and sophomore pitcher Dominic Macarilla recorded the final three outs in the bottom of the frame to earn the save as the Eagles rallied to register a 7-6 triumph over the Blue Bison.
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“We’re a family. We kind of gritted it out at the end. It feels great,” said Hutton, who helped send the game to extra innings with a sacrifice fly in the seventh inning as the Eagles came back from a 6-3 deficit.
Shaker (3-1 overall, 0-1 league) twice held a three-run advantage against the visitors, but ultimately was unable to secure a Suburban Council win for first-year coach Anthony Ponticello.
The Blue Bison erased a 1-0 deficit in the fourth inning when they chased Bethlehem starter Sam Spector. Shaker senior shortstop Jason Bailey tied the game with an RBI double. Henry Mora followed with a run-scoring single and Daniel Cioffi’s double to left plated two runs and ended Spector’s outing. Junior right-hander Jacob Bradt took the mound and struck out two to quell the threat.
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Bradt ended up working 5 2/3 innings, allowing five hits and striking out seven to collect the victory. He gave up two runs in the fifth and escaped the seventh when Shaker had a runner on third with one out. He recorded strikeouts against Brayden Akley and Bailey to force extra innings.
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“Before the year, we thought that (pitching) would be our strength. We have a lot of arms,” Bethlehem coach Matt Rehbit said.
The game remained deadlocked until there was one out in the top of the 10th. Hutton, who had singled in the second, scored a run in the fifth and drove in the tying run in the seventh with his sacrifice fly to center, smacked the first pitch he saw from Shaker reliever Ryan Brissette over the fence in right.
“I attacked early. It worked out,” Hutton said.
Bethlehem’s other runs in the seventh inning were scored on an error and an RBI single from Elijah Proper.
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Bethlehem (2-1-1, 1-0) also received two hits from Bradt. Oliver Mosang walked three times for the Eagles.
“There is still a lot to work on, but this win is huge for us,” Rehbit said.
Key moment
When Bradt entered the game to pitch in the fourth, Shaker led 4-1 and had a runner on second after pounding out three straight hits.
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He proceeded to strike out Lucas Malinoski and Ian Bruce to keep the deficit at three runs.
“Bradt, who was my big gun last year, came up huge for us when we needed him,” Rehbit said.
Star of the game
Hutton’s solo blast ignited the dugout. As he rounded third, the sophomore yelled, “Let’s go, baby.”
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After sparking the offense, Hutton — the team’s catcher — helped guide Macarilla through the bottom of the 10th. Macarilla allowed one hit and one walk, and ended the game by inducing a grounder from Malinoski that turned into a fielder’s choice at second.
Numbers to know
9: Runners Shaker left on base.
7: Strikeouts Bradt recorded, starting with the first two in the fourth inning. Four of his strikeouts ended an inning.
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2: Three-run deficits Bethlehem overcame, being down 4-1 in the fourth and 6-3 in the seventh.
What’s next
Bethlehem: The Eagles will look to defeat Saratoga Springs, winners of the 2025 Class AAA state title, at home on Friday.
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Shaker: The Blue Bison travel Friday to take on Niskayuna.