DELMAR, N.Y. — Host Bethlehem Central of Section 2 rallied from a 5-3 deficit to pull out a 6-5 non-league victory over Saugerties High’s baseball team on Saturday, April 4.
The Sawyers (1-1) led 5-3 before the hosts scored one run in the bottom of the fourth and two more in the fifth to take the lead for good.
Graham Werwa took the loss on the mound for the Sawyers after giving up three hits and three earned runs in three innings. He struck out one batter.
At the plate for the Sawyers, Ty VanValkenburg, Michael Gramoglia and Jesse Incalcaterra each drove in a run. Gramoglia had a double.
“We played a good competitive game with Bethlehem,” Saugerties coach Mike Pugliese said. “We had pretty competitive at-bats against some pitchers with good stuff. We stung some balls that found gloves.”
The game against Bethlehem Central, the 2024 New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Class AA state champion, was the second straight game Saugerties played against a Section 2 opponent to open the season. The Sawyers beat Albany High 5-4 on Friday, April 3 at Cantine Field.
“Overall, a good few days for us defensively and challenging hitters by filling up the zone,” Pugliese said.
Dan Leach led Bethlehem at the plate with two doubles and three RBIs.
Pitcher Evan O’Connell picked up the win for Bethlehem Central (1-0-1). In two innings, he gave up one earned run. He walked three and struck out five batters.
Saugerties will next host Pine Plains in a non-league game at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 6 at Cantine Field.
New Paltz 4, Cortland 1
New Paltz 6, Cambridge-Salem 1
At Cortland, New Paltz High’s baseball team swept a doubleheader on Saturday.
The Huguenots beat host Cortland 4-1 in the opener at the Gutchess Lumber Sports Complex.
With the game tied at 1-1, the Huguenots scored three runs in the top of the fifth to take a 4-1 lead. Giancarlo Reilly had a triple and one RBI and Nick Drewnowski knocked in the other run.
Starter and winning pitcher Nash Byrne gave up four hits and one earned run in five innings for the Huguenots. He struck out 10 and walked two batters.
In a 6-1 nightcap victory over Cambridge-Salem High, New Paltz wiped out a 1-0 deficit with three runs in the sixth and three more in seventh.
Reilly went 2-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs for the Huguenots. Malcolm Dillehay was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Cole Maiale also drove in a run.
New Paltz starter Jason Scotto was the winning pitcher after allowing two hits and one earned run in five innings. He walked one and struck out six.
New Paltz will next host Poughkeepsie in a non-league game at 4:15 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8.