Sixth Annual

Game One: Saugerties Dutchmen 7, Otsego Macs 2

Dutchmen centerfielder Jed Sagazie lifted a two-run homer over the left-centerfield wall in the top of the first inning, and added a two-RBI double in the fourth, providing more than enough offense to thwart Otsego hurler Joe Walpole's bid for a third straight win over Saugerties on consecutive Saturdays. Brian Lindhorst also contributed a single, double and homerun to the Dutchmen cause, while Jeremy Clausi pitched six shutout innings after surrendering two runs in the first. Otsego manager Ray Microni's solo homer was the Macs' offensive highlight.

Game Two: Otsego Macs 10, Long Island Reds 2

This games started as a pitchers' dual; Otsego scored a run in the first without the ball leaving the infield, after which neither team managed more than one baserunner in an inning until Long Island plated two in the fourth, with Bobby Gruttadauria driving in both runs for the Reds. A baserunning error kept the Reds from scoring a third run, which seemed crucial when Microni drove in the tying run in the fifth. But Otsego batted around in the following inning, with Greg Loiacono's two-RBI triple keying the five-run stanza. Loiacono added another RBI, and Microni two more. in the seventh. Joe Train and Rob Field pitched complete games for the victors and vanquished, respectively.

Game Three: Long Island Reds 12, Saugerties Dutchmen 2

The Dutchmen opened the scoring in the final game of the day, but Long Island took a 4-1 lead with a couple of two-run innings. Saugerties pulled to within two in the bottom of the fifth on an error by Reds shortstop Jared Harling which left runners on the corners with one out. They seemed to cut the run in half when Long Island first baseman Danny Garthhaffner was pulled off the bag trying to complete an inning-ending doubleplay, but Kiko Romaguera was called out anyway. That would prove academic in the next half-inning, however, as the Reds sent eleven batters to the plate and broke the game open. Bill Earl, in his first outing of the season, let in two runs and loaded the bases before being removed for Mike Lindhorst. Long Island's Ramie Gatchalian gave Lindhorst a rude welcome to the game with a grand slam as the seven-run inning left the Reds up by nine. Saugerties left a runner on third in the bottom of the sixth and Brendan Latanzi ended the game a half-inning early with an RBI triple which invoked the ten-run mercy rule in the top of the seventh, making Gary Ferrette's victory official.

Game Four: Saugerties Dutchmen 11, Long Island Reds 8

Dutchmen catcher Kiko Romaguera went two-for-five with a double and two RBIs and stole home in the first inning as the Dutchmen withstood an early Long Island attack (aided by three Dutchie errors, three walks and a hit batsman in the first two frames) to win Sunday's first game. Steve Mangione had a rocky start on the mound for Saugerties, but held on for the complete game victory. Brendan Latanzi was 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and two RBIs for Long Island, while Danny Garthhaffner went four innings on the mound in a losing effort. The win put the Dutchmen at 2-1, but still a run behind the Reds in run differential, which meant they'd need a win in the final game against Otsego to claim the title.

Game Five: Otsego Macs 7, Long Island Reds 6 (10 inn.)

This, the most exciting game of the tournament, had some subtext as the Long Island Reds needed to win by three or more runs to keep their championship hopes alive, while an eight-run LI victory would eliminate the Macs from contention. Ray Lacen's solo homer put the Reds up 3-1 in the top of the third, but Otsego tied it in the bottom of the inning and took a one-run lead in the fifth. Long Island, down to their last out, put two on with back-to-back singles by the Gatchalian brothers, and Bobby Gruttadauria went yard to give the Reds a 6-4 lead. That left the teams tied on run differential, and with Long Island needing an Otsego win over Saugerties for force a three-way tie, seemingly eliminated the Reds. But the Macs rallied in the bottom of the inning, tying the contest at six with two outs. They tried to claim the victory on a delayed double steal, but Tim Mandronico was caught in a rundown between third and home to end the inning. This sent the contest to extra innings and gave the Reds the opportunity for the three-run victory they needed, but no runs came across until the bottom of the tenth. Mandronico led off with a single and stole second. Ed Hickey hit a grounder to short, and Long Island's Pete Maringolo tried and failed to throw the potential winning run out at third, leaving runners on the corners with none away. LI catcher Ed Welch mishandled a pitch from Jared Harling, and Mandronico scored the winning run on the passed ball to set up a Saugerties-Otsego championship game. Harling threw all ten innings in the loss, while Josh Chase had the complete game win for Otsego.

Game Six: Saugerties Dutchmen 8, Otsego Macs 4

With both the Dutchmen and Macs standing at 2-1 entering the weekend's final contest, the tournament had come down to a single game. Otsego sent Joe Walpole out to pitch his second game of the weekend, while Saugerties sent out Eric Lovgren. Lovgren offered up seven free passes in six innings, and surrendered four early runs, but the Dutchmen took a 5-4 lead after a four-run third. Lovgren pitched out of a few jams, shutting out the Macs for three innings before Chris Fabiano closed out Otsego. Sagazie tied the Dutchmen record with two triples in the game (reaching safely on errors in his two other at bats) and finished the weekend with nine RBIs, as the host team claimed their third Helsmoortel Memorial Tourney championship.

Final Standings

Saugerties Dutchmen, 1998 Helsmoortel Memorial Tournament Champions

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