Contributed Story
SAUGERTIES — The Saugerties Sawyers staved off the Monticello Panthers, 6-5, in Saturday’s non-league baseball game as the Panthers were unable to match the Sawyers down the stretch.
Even though the game was played in Saugerties, the Sawyers were the “visiting” team and the Panthers were the “home” team.
Monticello (0-1) scored on a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly by Sean Reuss in the fifth inning. Despite its efforts, Monticello couldn’t finish the comeback.
Saugerties (3-0) jumped out to a 4-0 lead after three innings as Panthers’ starting pitcher Bobby Wagner struggled. Connor Briggs pitched scoreless fourth and fifth innings before allowing a run in the sixth.
The Monties cut the lead to 4-1 in the bottom of the fourth. Sean Reuss doubled and scored on Chris Schnabel’s single.
Monticello tied the game at 4-4 after five innings as Khalil Guadalupe singled home Wagner.
After the Monties failed to score in the sixth, Saugerties plated one more run in the top of the seventh as Matt Dittus scored on a wild pitch.
Monticello showed its resolve once again in the seventh as Wagner led off the frame with a double to left center field. After two outs were recorded, Guadalupe singled to rightfield, which allowed Wagner to cross home plate and cut the Sawyers’ lead to a single run.
But Saugerties quickly recorded the third out to register the one-run victory.
“This game was about the lack of command by our three pitchers,” Monticello Coach Mike Marra said. “We walked 10 hitters and hit three more.
“I was very pleased with our offensive approach today,” Marra added.